The Coordination of Civil Protection, under the leadership of Adrián Bobadilla García, organized a preparatory meeting with representatives of the different agencies involved to review the logistics and security issues in the next 13-day pilgrimage to Our Lady of Guadalupe in Puerto Vallarta.
This year the activities begin on November 30 with a unique pilgrimage of the staff of the parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe, which will take place at 6:00 PM, and on December 1 the traditional pilgrimages and celebrations will begin for 12-days.
As every year, special attention is paid to the installation of food stalls and snacks, both in the main square and in other areas of the city, due to the use of fuels (gas) and electricity. Also, in this meeting the security measures were established to implement both surveillance and roads, to guarantee the physical integrity of the people during the 13 days of the pilgrimages.
Each year beginning on December 1 and through December 12, thousands of people arrive in Puerto Vallarta to celebrate Día de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, or the Day of Our Lady Guadalupe, the city’s Patron Saint and name of the city’s main church.
Our Lady of Guadalupe is commonly known as the Virgin Mary and she is no ordinary being. In 1531 she appeared four times to an indigenous Christian convert, Juan Diego, on Cerro del Tepeyac (Tepeyac Hill). Over the centuries she’s been credited with all manner of miracles, and has become Mexico’s patron saint. Little wonder her big day is considered such a big deal.
In Puerto Vallarta thousands of people will participate in the nightly pilgrimage to Our Lady of Guadalupe church in downtown Puerto Vallarta. The streets are filled for twelve nights with music, celebration, and the colors of Mexico as people make their way with gifts for the Lady of Guadalupe altar in the church.
The nightly candlelit pilgrimages are one of the area’s most celebrated traditions during the Christmas season in Puerto Vallarta. The last night of the pilgrimages, December 12, is by far the most crowded and exciting closed by a special service honoring the Virgin of Guadalupe at the church and in the streets. Like any true celebration in Puerto Vallarta, the evening finishes with a fireworks show over the Bay of Banderas.
Related: Christmas in Puerto Vallarta
