Exciting Puerto Vallarta Events
With its white-sand beaches, rich arts scene, and delicious cuisines, Puerto Vallarta is a prime vacation destination with many fun things to do, year-round. The vibrant city offers many year-round events that you should incorporate into your travel itinerary. That's why we provide a helpful guide on upcoming Puerto Vallarta events to take full advantage of what the city has to offer.
Visit Puerto Vallarta - Upcoming Events
Puerto Vallarta offers several exciting opportunities to participate in local events and Mexican celebrations that foster an enriching travel experience. The following are events that explorers of all ages can enjoy.
Turtle Releasing Season - June to December
Every year from June to December, you can help local wildlife by visiting one of the many turtle camps along Puerto Vallarta, Sayulita, San Pancho, and other places of the Riviera Nayarit. At these beaches, you can participate in the release of baby turtles who will return to one of these beaches to lay their own eggs when they reach adulthood.
These releases are usually planned towards the end of the afternoon so the baby turtles have more time to swim into the ocean depths by nightfall which keeps them out of sight from predatory birds and increases their chances of survival.
Day of the Dead Puerto Vallarta
One of the most important festivities in Mexico is Día de Muertos, or Day of the Dead, which is celebrated on November 1st at midnight.
In Puerto Vallarta, the Day of the Dead celebration is also celebrated as a week-long festival that includes many art displays of beautiful shrines along the Malecon (boardwalk) that can also be found in town squares and at art exhibitions during the celebration. The week-long festivities also include folkloric ballets, mariachis, and Catrinas (painted skeleton mask) contests, allowing locals and foreign tourists to experience the traditional and modern culture of our ancestors.
From the dead parade to other Mexican holiday traditions, you don't want to miss out on Puerto Vallarta's Dia de los Muertos festivities!
Another amazing thing to do in Puerto Vallarta during the Day of the Dead is to witness the famous dinner show Rhythms of the Night. This show lights up the night with colorful shrines, live music, and traditional Mexican dishes such as mole negro, tamales, pan de muerto, and churros.
Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe
Since 1531 the image of Lady of Guadalupe has been the symbol that ignites the deepest devotion in every Mexican and is the clearest example of our mestizo heritage. From a young age, we are taken on yearly pilgrimages to worship her at the very hill where she appeared to Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin for the first time.
In Puerto Vallarta, every December 12th, there is a pilgrimage that goes through downtown Puerto Vallarta and ends at the beautiful Parish of Our Lady of Guadalupe for a special mass. Don't miss this opportunity to participate in an important part of Mexico's culture, history, and traditions on this amazing day on your next visit to Puerto Vallarta.d
Whale Watching Season - Mid-December through March
From mid-December to March, a large community of Humpback whales arrives near the coast of Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit to mate and bear calves. This is a wonderful time to get on a boat and watch these glorious migratory species. You may see many mothers sloshing in the waters with their young!
Vallarta Adventures Whale Watching tour is the only one with special hydrophones to listen to the unique way they communicate with underwater and marine mammal specialists that will offer tourists an unforgettable and truly educational experience.
South Side Shuffle - January through April
Every other Friday evening, Basilio Badillo and Constitución turn into both a street party and an open-house art gala that attracts both locals and visitors. Local art galleries and shops offer refreshments and a festive environment to peruse and enjoy live music while dancing.
South Side Shuffle will occur every other Friday from starting in January through April, and it's a great way to celebrate the end of the week and immerse yourself in the local and music culture.
Art & Market Marina Vallarta - October - May
This yearly event occurs every Thursday during the months of October to May. During this event, you can peruse the quaint streets of Puerto Vallarta, eat savory Mexican dishes, and look at beautiful locally handcrafted items. There is also live music which makes for a very festive event.
This lovely night market takes place from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and is a wonderful opportunity to grab an authentic meal and shop for unique souvenirs for yourself and your loved ones. Marina Vallarta is located on the northern edge of Puerto Vallarta.
Free Malecon Sculpture Tour - January - April
Puerto Vallarta's Galeria Pacifico owner, Gary Thompson, leads a free sunset tour every Thursday, providing history and relevant information about the artists of the sculptures around town. Thompson points out fine details of each artwork that illustrate its significance.
Though it may simply be a walking tour, it's a great way to immerse yourself in the Mexican celebrations and traditions of the art scene in Puerto Vallarta. It's a fun and educational experience that lasts for about two hours.
Explore with Us
Be sure to visit Puerto Vallarta during these events and book a tour with Vallarta Adventures to experience more of the vibrant city with quality guided tours that are filled with safe and fun adventures that will create lifelong memories for you and your loved ones. Through our services, you will experience all of the Mexican celebrations and traditions the city has to offer.
