Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - From May 10-31, 2019 Puerto Vallarta will commemorate its 101st anniversary as a municipality and 51st as a city during Mayo Fest, an annual celebration that offers a series of cultural and sporting events that are free and open to the public.
Organized by the Culture Institute of Vallarta, with the full support of the Puerto Vallarta Tourism Board and the Municipal Council of Sports, this 21-day celebration features concerts, art and photo exhibitions, sporting events, and tons of family fun!
Puerto Vallarta Mayo Fest 2019 Highlights
Click HERE to download the full schedule of events.
All events are free and open to the public.
Friday, May 10
4:00 pm-12:00 am - Expo Vive Vallarta: Puerto de Luna's Parota Park will host this family-friendly event that has a carnival-like atmosphere and features handicrafts made by artisans from all over Jalisco, a mechanical games fair, great food, and community theater, through June 2.
10:30 pm - The International Fireworks Symposium: will come to a close with pyrotechnical showmen on the Malecón showcasing their various disciplines and specialties in a dazzling display of eye-popping entertainment over Banderas Bay.
Saturday, May 11
8:30 pm - Nuestra Frida: A scenic montage featuring Mexican actress, singer and screenwriter, Ofelia Medina. The work is based on the songs that artist Frida Kahlo liked, as well as texts from her diary and letters she wrote, at Los Arcos del Malecón.
Monday, May 13
10:00 am-6:00 pm - The 2019 Concacaf Beach Soccer Championship: 16 of the best national beach soccer teams in the region will be competing for a spot in the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Paraguay 2019. Games will be played daily through May 19 at the IPEJAL grounds in front of Puerto Vallarta's Agustin Flores Contreras Municipal Stadium.
Saturday, May 18 & Sunday, May 19
4:00-9:00 pm - Down Puerto Vallarta: Some of the best extreme bikers in the world will compete in a downhill race from the mountains to the sea, then show off their skills while performing bike tricks, acrobatics, big air and aerial flips on the Malecón.
Thursday, May 23
7:00 am-6:00 pm - 2019 Juegos Deportivos Nacionales para Atletas con Discapacidad Intelectual: Athletes with intellectual disabilities from 25 states, including Jalisco, Aguascalientes, Coahuila, Colima, CDMX and Zacatecas will compete to qualify for the Inas Global Games 2019 Australian World Championship, as well as for the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima, at the Alfonso Díaz Santos and Agustin Flores Contreras sports stadiums, through May 26.
Friday, May 24
10:00 am-8:00 pm - 2019 Mexican Beach Volleyball Open: - Some of Mexico's best volleyball duos from 18 states will be competing in the tournament's three categories - freestyle for both men and women, juniors age 14-15, and youth from 16-17 years of age - at Playa Camarones (at the North end of the Malecón between Hotel Rosita and Buenaventura Hotel in downtown Puerto Vallarta) through May 26. Visit the Facebook page for more information.
Sunday, May 26
8:00 pm - Mayo Fest 2019 Music Festival: Simultaneous music and dance performances at various venues around town include Mariachi Nuevo Continental at Los Arcos de Malecón; Grupo Folclorico Municipal Xiutla at Lazaro Cardenas Park; Grupo Vallarta Azteca Folclorico at Pitillal Plaza; Tajin at Parque Hidalgo; and Lalo El Tigre at Ixtapa Plaza.
Friday, May 31st
10:00 pm - Los Ángeles Azules, whose mix of Cumbia rhythms with other musical genres never fails to get listeners on their feet and dancing, will present a Mega-Concert at El Faro del Malecón, bringing the 2019 Mayo Fest to a close.
Editor's Note: Though not listed on the official schedule, the city's double-anniversary celebrations on May 31st typically include traditional ceremonies, like local government officials presenting awards to the city's outstanding citizens, the cutting of a huge "birthday" cake that everyone is invited to enjoy, and a breathtaking fireworks display over Banderas Bay. For additional information and event schedule updates, visit the Instituto Vallartense de Cultura Facebook page.
If you are fortunate enough to be in Puerto Vallarta during the 2019 Mayo Fest, you will definitely have a wonderful and memorable experience. In addition to the city's anniversary celebrations, you can also enjoy Vallarta Pride 2019 parties and events, which run May 19-26th, and the 15th edition of Vallarta Restaurant Week, which runs May 15th - June 10th at 62 Banderas Bay area restaurants.