Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - The First Annual Bugambilia Festival has come to fruition through the dreams and collective efforts of citizen organizers and local volunteers working towards a better Puerto Vallarta.

Scheduled to take place May 17-25, 2013 in venues throughout the city, the Bugambilia Festival will unite Puerto Vallarta residents, businesses, artists, expats and visitors in a celebration of the art, beauty, food, and culture of Mexico.

There are over 35 events planned throughout the 9 day festival, all of which are open to the general public with no admission charge, some of these include:

Ongoing Events - Daily from May 17-25, 2013

Floral Sculptures
Floral sculptures will be placed in numerous locations throughout the city, including: • Puerto Vallarta International Airport • Plaza Galerias • Plaza Peninsula • Los Muertos Pier • The Malecón • Presidencia Municipal • Hidalgo Park • Lazaro Cardenas Park • Olas Altas • Basilio Badillo • Calle Pulpito

Floral Carpets
Location for extraordinary pieces of floral art - this time in the form of carpets - will be displayed throughout the city for everyone to enjoy. Location will include: • Puerto Vallarta International Airport • Church of Guadalupe • Plaza Galerias • Teatro Vallarta • the Presidencia Municipal • Hidalgo Park • Lazaro Cardenas Park

Artisanal Pavilion
Artisans booths, selling everything from handicrafts to plants and pottery, will be open daily at Lazaro Cardenas Park throughout the festival.

Malecón Candlelight Procession - May 17th

The First Annual Puerto Vallarta Bugambilia Festival kicks off on Friday, May 17 at 7:00 pm with a Malecón Candlelight Procession. This free event is perfect for all ages, young and old. To join in the fun bring along a lantern or candle and meet at Hotel Rosita before walking down the Malecón to Lazaro Cardenas Park, where the Festival's official inauguration will be celebrated with a special performance by the Xiutla Grupo Folklórico.

Catrina Parade and Contest - May 18th

The parade will begin at Hidalgo Park on Saturday, May 18th at 6 pm. Leaving from this location, Catrinas, followed by a Crowns of the Dead procession, will travel along the Malecón picking up more Catrinas along the way. Stops will be made in certain places for the Catrinas to provide spectators with an impressive performance. The parade will end at Lazaro Cardenas Park, where the best Catrina in Puerto Vallarta awards ceremony will take place, along with a special performance by the Catrinas

Fiesta Mexicana in the Park - May 18th

From 6-10 pm, Puerto Vallarta Bugambilia Festival 2013 will present a "Fiesta Mexicana" in the park, celebrating our wonderful Mexican culture. Look forward to music, dancing, delicious food, drinks, and much, much more. Come out and enjoy what Mexico does best!

Pet Parade and Contest - May 19th

The Pet Parade will depart from Hidalgo Park on Sunday, May 19th at 6:30 pm, continue down the Malecón all the way to Lazaro Cardenas Park, where the awards ceremony will take place. The contest will be divided into three categories: large pets, medium pets, and small pets. Five finalists will be chosen from each category. These finalists will compete in front of the judges to win the 1st and 2nd place awards in each category.

A Day in The Park - May 20th

Lazaro Cardenas Park on Vallarta's South side will be filled with activities all day, with Paint and Recycling Workshops from 1:00 to 2:00 and again from 4:00 to 5:00 pm, a Children's Performance at 6 pm, and a dance performance by Shanti from 7:20 to 9:00 pm.

A Day in The Park - May 21st

Lazaro Cardenas Park on Vallarta's South side will be filled with activities all day, with Paint and Recycling Workshops from 1:00 to 2:00 and again from 4:00 to 5:00 pm, and Palomartes - a special event featuring the artists of Las Palomas Nima Bay from 6-10 pm.

Night Bike Ride/Parade - May 22nd

Vallarta en Bici is sponsoring a Night Bike Ride/Parade with decorated bicycles leaving Marina Vallarta at 8 pm and ending at Lazaro Cardenas Park with an awards presentation.

Old Town Guided Walking Tour - May 22nd & 23rd

At 10:00 am on Wednesday, May 22 and Thursday, May 23, meet at the Central Plaza near the Church and take a free guided walking tour of Old Town Vallarta where you'll enjoy incredible vistas, discover some of the region's indigenous plants and learn a little bit of Old Town's history along the way.

"Milonga" Tango Dance Party and Contest - May 24th

When tango dancers come together for an evening of Tango dancing in a club, a home, anywhere, it is called a "Milonga." During the Bugambilia Festival, the public can enjoy an example of the variety of improvisation that lies at the heart of real Tango at the National University of Tango and Milonga Contest at Los Arcos Amphitheater from 6-10 pm.

Bugambilia Festival Closing Parade & Party - May 25th

The Bugambilia Festival Closing Parade will depart from the Agustin Flores Contreras Municipal Stadium car park at 5 pm. All floats will take the main road to the Hotel Rosita, where they will be divided into two groups. Small decorated cars and floats will travel along the Malecón and larger conveyances will take the street behind the Malecón. All floats will reconvene at the corner of Ignacio L. Vallarta and Basilio Badillo, and continue down to the parade route's end at Lazaro Cardenas Park, where the Festival's Official Closing Party will be held from 7-10 pm.

There are many other activities scheduled throughout the festival, including a Fashion Show, an Huichol Art Exhibits, a Noche de Fiesta, Musical Performances, and more! Click HERE to download daily event schedules in PDF format.

Join us in celebrating Puerto Vallarta's First Annual Bugambilia Festival! For more information, visit VallartaGardenClub.com or follow Bugambilia Festival 2013 on Facebook.