Start the weekend at the Marina watching the fishing crews bring in their catch, or spend Friday evening enjoying local dance and art. Saturday is the busiest day. If you want the market, dinner, and a show, keep those plans in town and save the port festival for Sunday.
Friday, November 13
- 70th International Marlin and Tuna Fishing Tournament — weigh-ins. 2–6 p.m. on the Marina Vallarta waterfront promenade beside Condominios Marina del Rey. Drop by while crews are bringing in their catch. Saturday’s weigh-ins run from 2–6 p.m. at the same spot, with the awards ceremony at 7 p.m.
- Meet the Artist Night. 6–9 p.m. at Galleria Dante, gallery entrance at Basilio Badillo 249, Zona Romántica. Admission is free. Come early to talk with the artists and leave time for dinner nearby. The wine bar upstairs has its own entrance at No. 269.
- Mesa del Chef Amixtli. 6:30 p.m. at Amixtli at Xalli Club, Carretera a Barra de Navidad km 9.5, Zona Hotelera Sur. The six-course Festival Gourmet dinner with guest chef Xavier Pérez Stone is listed at MXN 2,300 per person. Reserve before making the trip south.
- ESpontáneo Festival Escénico — Función Colectiva Danza. 7:30 p.m. at Centro Cultural Plataforma 322, Alondra 103, Los Sauces. Four contemporary dance pieces share the bill, with performers from Puerto Vallarta and the University of Guadalajara.
- La La Land — Big Dreams, Bigger Voices. 9–10 p.m. at The Palm Cabaret & Bar, Olas Altas 508, Zona Romántica. Fonda LaFemme and Elle Laganda are on the bill. If you’re doing the gallery first, leave before it closes to give yourself time to get seated.
Saturday, November 14
- Olas Altas Farmers Market. 9 a.m.–2 p.m. at Parque Lázaro Cárdenas, Pino Suárez and Venustiano Carranza, Zona Romántica. Free to browse. Go for breakfast, pick up produce or let visiting friends look through the craft stalls at their own pace.
- PVR Asian Festival 2026. 11 a.m.–11 p.m. at ASIPONA, Pier 2 at the Maritime Terminal, Blvd. Francisco Medina Ascencio km 4.5, Zona Hotelera Norte. Food stalls, K-pop, cosplay and workshops share the site. The organizer lists MXN 200 for one day or MXN 250 for both, plus fees. Children 11 and under enter free with a ticketed adult.
- Angels Kitchen Fall Fundraiser. 1–7 p.m. at La Huerta BBQ & Grill, Felipe Ángeles 245, Paso Ancho. There’s a taco bar and live music, with proceeds supporting a local group that serves free meals.
- Edna Rendón Butchart — Voz sin Límites. 7 p.m. at Teatro Vallarta, Perú 1105-C, 5 de Diciembre. The soprano’s program moves through boleros, tangos and songs from farther afield. Book a seat and have dinner nearby afterward.
- ESpontáneo Festival Escénico — Función de Clausura. 7:30 p.m. at Los Arcos del Malecón, the open-air amphitheater across from Plaza de Armas, Centro. The closing dance program includes local companies and performers from the University of Guadalajara. It starts half an hour after the Teatro Vallarta concert, so choose one for the evening.
- Sapphic Night Vallarta. 8 p.m.–2 a.m. at Rooftop House PV, 5 de Febrero 342, Emiliano Zapata. A first-time queer social and dance night for women, with a DJ. Ages 18 and up.
Sunday, November 15
- Puerto Vallarta Half Marathon and 5K. The half marathon starts at 6:30 a.m. and the 5K at 6:40 a.m. Both start and finish at Unidad Deportiva Agustín Flores Contreras, Av. Francisco Medina Ascencio s/n, across from the Sheraton. The start area is a straightforward place to cheer on both groups.
- PVR Asian Festival 2026 — second day. 11 a.m.–11 p.m. at ASIPONA, Pier 2 at the Maritime Terminal, Blvd. Francisco Medina Ascencio km 4.5, Zona Hotelera Norte. A Sunday lunch visit leaves the afternoon open. Check the program if there’s a particular performance or workshop you want to catch.
- Guided museum tour. Noon at ARTe VallARTa Museo, G. Prieto 164, El Remance. The tour is included with admission. The museum lists a suggested donation of MXN 100, with a MXN 40 rate for Puerto Vallarta residents.
- NFL Sundays. From noon at El Soñador, Ignacio L. Vallarta 229, Zona Romántica. The bar lists Sunday football screenings. If you’re going for a particular team, ask which games will be on.
- The Lovers. 3–6 p.m. at Awaysis Bar & Restaurant, Aquiles Serdán 625, Emiliano Zapata. Local rock covers and an afternoon start for friends who want to keep Sunday evening open.
Best bets by mood or group
- With kids. Browse the Saturday market for a short morning out, or do the port festival over lunch on Sunday.
- For two. Start with Friday’s gallery and stay in the neighborhood for dinner, or make Saturday’s bolero concert the centerpiece of the evening.
- With friends. Meet in Paso Ancho for Saturday’s fundraiser, or take the group to Sunday’s afternoon rock set if everyone’s on a different schedule.
- For a queer night out. Pick Saturday’s rooftop party if you want to meet people, or Friday’s cabaret if you’d rather have seats and a set start time.
Planning notes
- Sunday airport trips. Both races use the central lanes of Medina Ascencio, and the half-marathon route enters Marina Vallarta. Check traffic before heading out early and give yourself extra time if you’re crossing town.
- For the port festival. Use Pier 2 at the Maritime Terminal as your destination. The fishing weigh-ins are along the Marina Vallarta promenade beside Marina del Rey.
