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Events shape how the city feels and spends. Gallery nights, concerts, food festivals, and civic ceremonies move people between neighborhoods and change what cash registers see.
Not all weeks look alike. High season stacks marquee events. Summer leans on local audiences and weekend travelers. Prices and footfall rise and fall with that rhythm.
Where events land matters. Centro and the Malecón carry big crowds. The Romantic Zone drives nightlife. Versalles fuels dining. Marina Vallarta draws families and visitors off ships and planes.
Our coverage ties calendars to costs, travel patterns, and daily life. We track permits, policing plans, venue rules, and the money that events send through the city.
Last updated: August 16, 2025
This page lists typical dates; organizers sometimes shift schedules year to year.
January–February brings LGBTQ travel weeks and road races. March and April lean into sailing and spring holidays. May is stacked with cultural festivals and dining deals. Summer stays lively with film, navy day events, and gallery nights on pause. Fall returns with Día de Muertos and the culinary high season, followed by pilgrimages in December.
Typical dates: Late May
Puerto Vallarta’s flagship week celebrates LGBTQ culture with a city-center parade, beach and club events, live performances, and community forums. Activity concentrates in Zona Romántica and along the Malecón. Hotels and short-term rentals fill fast; book months ahead.
Typical dates: Late February
A colorful, music-driven parade rolls along the Malecón into the Romantic Zone. Expect street closures, packed sidewalks, and post-parade block parties. Family-friendly viewing is easiest near the early part of the route before it reaches the tightest streets.
Typical dates: May 15–June 10
Three weeks of fixed-price menus across Puerto Vallarta and nearby Riviera Nayarit. It’s the best moment to test new kitchens and splurge restaurants without wrecking your budget. Many menus spotlight regional produce and Pacific seafood.
Typical dates: Early May
Folkloric dance troupes from across Mexico and Latin America perform free shows in Centro and ticketed galas at theaters. Costuming, live music, and traditional choreography make this a strong primer on Mexico’s regional identities.
Typical dates: Mid–late March
Cruising and racing fleets converge on one of the Pacific’s friendliest regattas. Daily sailing on Banderas Bay pairs with dockside concerts and awards at Marina Vallarta. Shoreside spectators get prime views from the marina and Nuevo Vallarta beaches.
Typical dates: Mid-June
University-backed programming brings premieres, retrospectives, and filmmaker talks to theaters and campus venues. The selection mixes Mexican cinema with international titles, and student showcases add a discovery angle.
Typical dates: November 1–2
Altars, processions, and larger-than-life Catrinas transform the Malecón and Centro. Hotels craft public ofrendas, artisans display traditional work, and many neighborhoods hold their own night walks. Photography opportunities are exceptional—be respectful around altars.
Typical dates: Mid-November
Guest chefs collaborate with local kitchens on tasting menus, demos, and pairing dinners. It’s the capstone of the culinary calendar and a major driver of November travel. Reservations at headlining restaurants can sell out weeks in advance.
Typical dates: Mid-November
A legacy tournament headquartered at Marina Vallarta. Offshore teams target marlin, sailfish, and tuna on Banderas Bay and beyond. Awards ceremonies and weigh-ins draw spectators to the docks late afternoons.
Typical dates: December 1–12
Nightly peregrinaciones funnel through Centro toward the main parish. Dance troupes, bands, and candlelit processions create one of the city’s most moving traditions. Traffic detours and rolling closures are standard; plan routes accordingly.
Typical dates: Weekly, October–May (Wednesdays)
Historic Center galleries open late with artist meet-and-greets and new exhibits. Start near the north end of the Malecón and work south; many stops pour a glass of wine and talk through the work.
Date: June 1
Ceremonies and maritime displays honor Mexico’s navy, with wreath-laying at sea and public events on the waterfront. Expect short, localized closures along the bay.
Typical dates: Marathon in spring; additional 5K/10K and half-marathon events seasonally
Routes use coastal avenues and Centro, with early morning starts and rolling closures. Registration caps and heat make earlier sign-ups smart.
Typical dates: Late January–early February
One of the world’s largest bear-community gatherings. Pool parties, boat trips, club nights, and charity events concentrate in Zona Romántica. Lodging and event passes sell out early.
Peak demand hits the last two weeks of May, the first half of November, and December 1–12. Many venues announce details 60–90 days out. If you publish date-specific posts, set reminders to refresh copy once schedules drop.
