This weekend offers several ways to get out: browse the returning Saturday market, watch traditional Mexican dance, book a cabaret show, or spend an afternoon enjoying food and live music. Choose one main outing each day and leave room around it. Saturday, especially, has more overlapping plans than anyone needs to squeeze into one evening.
Friday, November 6: start early or make a night of it
For a daytime outing: 10th National Folk Dance Competition
November 6, 10 a.m.–5:30 p.m. | Teatro Vallarta, Perú 1105-C, 5 de Diciembre.
Friday’s theater program features youth soloists and groups performing traditional Mexican dance in a competition setting. Tickets are sold at the theater box office. Ask about admission and re-entry if you’re planning to break for lunch.
For an early start with friends: Effie Passero’s Birthday Show
November 6, 5 p.m. | La Catrina Cantina, Lázaro Cárdenas 315B, second floor, Emiliano Zapata.
The singer’s birthday performance is listed with no cover, making it a good option before dinner without buying a theater ticket. Food and drinks are separate purchases. The venue is upstairs, with stairs as the only access.
For a date with a show: The Best of Los Bambinos
November 6, 7:30 p.m. | Red Room Cabaret at Act2PV, Basilio Badillo at Insurgentes, Zona Romántica.
Los Bambinos open their Friday series with a band show built around rock and their vocal harmonies. Have dinner beforehand and aim to arrive by 7 p.m., as the theater requests you check in 30 minutes early. Budget for the ticket and Act2PV’s two-drink minimum.
For the late-show crowd: two choices at 9 p.m.
- Coco’s in Control: The Janet Jackson Experience: November 6, 9–10 p.m., at Coco Cabaret, Francisco I. Madero 289, Emiliano Zapata. A ticketed Janet Jackson tribute for a pop-focused night out.
- An Evening of Hocus Pocus: A Spectacular Cabaret: November 6, 9–10 p.m., at The Palm Cabaret & Bar, Olas Altas 508, Zona Romántica. The alternative is a ticketed cabaret tribute with musical numbers and comedy.
These shows overlap completely, so choose one. If you’re booking an earlier performance elsewhere, check its running time before committing to a second ticket.
Saturday, November 7: a morning outside, then choose your afternoon
For an active start with a community purpose: Nos Movemos Seguras PV
November 7, 7 a.m. | Meet at La Ballena sculpture, Marina Vallarta.
The Municipal Women’s Institute is organizing a three-kilometer walk to raise awareness of street harassment and violence in public spaces, followed by a self-defense workshop. Participation is free and requires advance registration through the Nos Movemos Seguras Pto Vta Facebook page or its registration form. The invitation is open to the community.
For breakfast, browsing and a flexible family morning: Olas Altas Farmers Market
November 7, 9 a.m.–2 p.m. | Parque Lázaro Cárdenas, Venustiano Carranza 146–200, Emiliano Zapata.
The market opens its new season with fresh food, prepared dishes, crafts, textiles, and work by local makers. Entry is free, so you can browse without committing to a paid outing. Bring pesos for purchases and a bag for anything you take home.
For a food-centered afternoon: The Grill Festival
November 7, 2–11 p.m. | Centro Internacional de Convenciones, Paseo de las Flores 505, Villa Las Flores.
Across its two days, the festival’s announced program includes cooking demonstrations, competitions, live entertainment and a children’s area. Saturday’s demonstrations emphasize large-format roasting and butchery. Compare admission packages before buying; food and drink inclusions depend on the ticket.
There’s also a charitable way to attend: Pasitos de Luz is offering a VIP ticket fundraiser connected to the festival. Purchases through its campaign support care and therapy for children with disabilities.
For friends who want a live band: Awaysis 4th Anniversary Party
November 7, 3–10 p.m. | Awaysis Bar & Restaurant, Aquiles Serdán 625, Emiliano Zapata.
Las Mambas plays at 3 p.m., with Bobbi + The Others at 7 p.m. Pick the set that suits your group instead of treating this as a seven-hour commitment. The afternoon set fits after the market if you want to stay in the Zona Romántica.
For an evening in Centro: National Folk Dance Competition awards
November 7, 8 p.m. | Los Arcos del Malecón, beside Plaza de Armas, Centro.
The competition closes with its awards ceremony. This works as a stop during an evening downtown, but the published program identifies it as an awards presentation; don’t plan around an assumed full dance performance.
For jazz, blues and comedy: Mama Tits — Sweet Release
November 7, 9–10 p.m. | Coco Cabaret, Francisco I. Madero 289, Emiliano Zapata.
Mama Tits’ ticketed show brings a band, jazz, blues, and comedy to the evening’s LGBTQ cabaret choices. Dinner beforehand gives this a straightforward date-night shape. If you choose the anniversary party’s evening set, you’ll need to leave before that event finishes to reach the theater.
Make the geography work: The market pairs easily with an afternoon in the Zona Romántica. The Convention Center is a separate trip north, so leave travel time before an evening show. The awards ceremony has no published finishing time, making a subsequent 9 p.m. theater booking a tight pairing.
Sunday, November 8: brunch, football or one more afternoon out
For an LGBTQ group brunch: Big Gay Drag Brunch
November 8, 11 a.m.–2 p.m. | Pool Club at Casa Cupula, upper entrance at Callejón de la Igualdad 133, Amapas.
This adults-only, 18-plus brunch combines a buffet with the resident drag cast. The listing specifies one continuous seating and advance ticket purchase, with different mimosa packages. Arrange transport with the hillside location in mind.
For lunch and cooking demonstrations: The Grill Festival, day two
November 8, noon–9 p.m. | Centro Internacional de Convenciones, Paseo de las Flores 505, Villa Las Flores.
Sunday starts and finishes earlier than Saturday. Its announced demonstrations include tuna cutting and Texas BBQ, making it the alternative if Saturday is already spoken for. Choose a demonstration you want to see and check its session time before you head out.
For the football group: NFL Sundays
November 8, from noon under the venue’s recurring Sunday schedule | El Soñador, Ignacio L. Vallarta 229, Zona Romántica.
The advertised Sunday gathering offers NFL broadcasts, with burgers and pizza available from noon to 8 p.m. Confirm that your particular game will be on before organizing the group; noon is the listing’s start time, not a promise about every kickoff or screen.
For live music before evening: The Lovers
November 8, 3–6 p.m. | Awaysis Bar & Restaurant, Aquiles Serdán 625, Emiliano Zapata.
The local rock cover band has an afternoon slot for anyone who wants to meet friends without making it a late night. It also leaves time for dinner afterward.
For a final date-night plan: Selena Tribute — Como la Flor, starring Losana
November 8, 7–8 p.m. | The Palm Cabaret & Bar, Olas Altas 508, Zona Romántica.
A ticketed tribute to Selena’s music rounds out the weekend in the early evening. The listed one-hour running time makes dinner afterward a workable plan.
Best bets by mood or group
| Planning for… | Our pick |
|---|---|
| Family or a modest budget | Olas Altas Farmers Market: Saturday, Nov. 7, 9 a.m.–2 p.m.; Parque Lázaro Cárdenas, Venustiano Carranza 146–200. Free entry. |
| A date with a set plan | The Best of Los Bambinos: Friday, Nov. 6, 7:30 p.m.; Act2PV’s Red Room, Basilio Badillo at Insurgentes. Have an early dinner and arrive by 7 p.m. |
| Friends who want live music | Awaysis 4th Anniversary Party: Saturday, Nov. 7, 3–10 p.m.; Aquiles Serdán 625. Choose the 3 p.m. or 7 p.m. set. |
| An LGBTQ brunch outing | Big Gay Drag Brunch: Sunday, Nov. 8, 11 a.m.–2 p.m.; Pool Club at Casa Cupula, Callejón de la Igualdad 133. Advance tickets; 18-plus. |
| Food with a charitable option | The Grill Festival: Sunday, Nov. 8, noon–9 p.m.; Convention Center, Paseo de las Flores 505. Look at the Pasitos de Luz VIP campaign before booking. |
Planning notes
- Use Puerto Vallarta time. All times above are local, in America/Mexico_City.
- Check the total cost. No cover means no admission charge; purchases are separate. For ticketed shows and festival packages, check fees, drink minimums, and inclusions.
- Ask about access before booking. Act2PV lists second-floor theaters without an elevator, and La Catrina lists stairs as its only entrance.
- Keep the geography manageable. Allow time to travel, eat, and check in between outings.
- Recheck before leaving. Confirm schedules and availability with the organizer, especially when your plan depends on a particular performer, demonstration or game.
Pick the outing that suits your company and your budget, then leave a little of the weekend unbooked. We’ll see you around town.
