Puerto Vallarta, Mexico – Visiting a foreign country during a national holiday presents a unique and rewarding opportunity to enjoy the cultural traditions and heritage of its people. Often referred to as Mexico's Festival Capital, Puerto Vallarta proudly celebrates Mexican national holidays with colorful events, exciting competitions, and a myriad of flavors, colors and sounds that offer visitors an authentic and enriching experience.

Events and celebrations Puerto Vallarta will be hosting from October-December include:

Vallarta-Nayarit Gastronomica 2014 – Oct. 22-25

This gourmet weekend will bring chefs from all over the world to Vallarta-Nayarit to host a series of events celebrating the art of eating, drinking, and living well. This gastronomical celebration offers an abundance of culinary events, including conferences by renowned chefs and sommeliers, gourmet tastings, cooking shows, and various culinary and mixology competitions. Special events include a Glamour Night at The River Café and a Gourmet Party at De Santos. For the full schedule of events, visit VallartaNayaritGastronomica.com.

Día De Los Muertos – Oct. 31-Nov. 2

At first glance, the Mexican custom of El Día de los Muertos (the Day of the Dead,) may sound much like the US custom of Halloween. After all, the celebration traditionally starts at midnight on the night of Oct. 31st, and the festivities are abundant in images related to death. But the customs have different origins. In typical Halloween festivities, death is something to be feared. But on El Día de Los Muertos, death — or at least the memories of those who have died — is something to be celebrated. Every year on November 1st (All Saint's Day) and 2nd (All Soul's Day), Pre-Hispanic religion, life, death, art, sorrow and humor come together to commemorate and honor family members and friends who have passed on. Celebrants attend family reunions, decorate their loved ones' graves, and create elaborate altars, or ofrendas. In Puerto Vallarta, the 5 de diciembre cemetery is the site of traditional Day of the Dead observances, but the city's other cemeteries, located in Ramblases, El Progreso, Ixtapa and Las Palmas, will receive thousands of residents and visitor alike during this three-day observance. The City of Puerto Vallarta is also sponsoring an altar competition in the main plaza, while themed art workshops organized by the Asociación Vallarta Centro will take place at ART VallARTa, a collaborative art space in the Romantic Zone.

International Sailfish & Marlin Tournament - Nov. 12-15

As one of the most prestigious national and international sportfishing tournaments on the West Coast, the Torneo Internacional Puerto Vallarta de Pez Vela y Marlin has upheld a powerful presence among sport fishing tournaments for almost 60 years. Year after year, this tournament has seen an increase in the number of participants from various countries and states within Mexico. In 2014, the International Sailfish and Marlin Tournament celebrates its 59th year. Scheduled to take place from November 12th-15th, this popular annual event promises to be even bigger and better than ever - with thousands of dollars in cash and prizes to be awarded.

International Festival Gourmet Vallarta, Nov. 13-23:

The International Festival Gourmet Vallarta, a popular culinary event that takes place in area restaurants every November and hosts distinguished Master Chefs from all over the world, will celebrate its 20th anniversary this year from November 13th-23rd. This year's Festival Gourmet International will showcase 29 restaurants in Puerto Vallarta, Riviera Nayarit & Tepic, each one offering a spicy blend of culinary talents, as local chefs invite guest chefs from internationally acclaimed restaurants and hotels from around the world into their kitchens to experiment and exchange culinary secrets. Those who are familiar with Vallarta's annual Gourmet Festival can expect some of the same spectacular festivities you've come to know and love - like the Chef's Table and Winemaker Dinners, the fantastic Sunday Brunch and the spectacular Final Gala - and a few new events, such as Progressive Dining, a night of Jazz, Wine & Cheese, and the "Festival Gourmet Cup 2014" Polo Tournament. For more information, visit FestivalGourmet.com.

Vallarta-Nayarit Classic Rock Festival – Dec. 11-14

For its inaugural year, the Vallarta-Nayarit Classic Rock Festival will feature performers such as Jeff Baxter, Billy Burnette, Jack Sonni, Curly Smith and CJ Vanston. This rock star lineup will be performing the best hits from the 60s, 70s and 80s. One of the biggest attractions will undoubtedly be the House Band, made up of stars from different bands including Burnette, Baxter and others from Dire Straits, Steve Miller Band, Little Feat, Boston, John Mellencamp and Tears for Fears. The event will also include the 'Fairway to Heaven' charity golf tournament, gourmet cuisine with internationally recognized chefs and an exhibit of art and photography from past rock concerts at local galleries. For a complete schedule of events, visit VallartaNayaritClassicRockFest.com.

The Festival of Our Lady of Guadalupe - Dec. 12

One of the most celebrated holidays in Puerto Vallarta is the Festival of Our Lady of Guadalupe on December 12, in remembrance of when the Virgin Mary left her image imprinted upon a cloth as a way of revealing herself and her identity to a Mexican peasant back in 1531. The cloth is currently housed at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in México City, where one of the largest fiestas takes place. Hotels throughout Puerto Vallarta commemorate this famous persona with statues and flowers erected in her honor. December 12 also celebrates the day that Puerto Vallarta was founded, so after the religious ceremony, festive celebrations continue with parades, music, singing, dancing, fireworks, and a plethora of street food vendors offering Mexican delicacies on the Malecón.

Christmas Celebrations – Dec. 15-25

La Navidad, or Christmas, is widely celebrated in Mexico. In Puerto Vallarta, the nine days before the religious holidays are celebrated in joyful anticipation of the special day with Las Posadas, processions that take place along the streets throughout the city, symbolizing Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem. the singing in the posada is a ritualized musical drama. The people outside sing the part of Mary and Joseph, the people inside sing the part of the innkeeper, and finally those outside are invited inside for the party. On Christmas Eve, people of all ages gather at Our Lady of Guadalupe church in the heart of historic downtown area, where the festivities carry on into the night. The children have their colorful piñatas and the adult celebrations begin as the entire downtown area bustles with activity and music. Christmas Day is a much more quiet and somber day; a day of recovery.

International Fireworks Festival - Dec. 20-31

The Christmas holidays are always an exciting time to visit Puerto Vallarta, but this year will be exceptionally entertaining as the city will play host to the 2014 International Fireworks Festival from December 20 through 31st. Fireworks manufacturers and other members of the pyrotechnic industry from four different countries: Italy, USA, Canada and Spain; and five states of the Mexican Republic: Jalisco, Puebla, Zacatecas, Sonora and Mexico State; are expected to participate in the festival. Fireworks will be set off from three points: the first will be between the Maritime Terminal and the Pitillal River area, the second burn will be between the Sheraton and Buenaventura hotels, and the last burning will stretch from the Los Arcos del Malecón amphitheater all the way down to Los Muertos Beach. During the 11-day cultural, artistic and touristic event, outdoor activities will be held in various locations throughout the municipality, including appearances by famous Mexican entertainers such as Lila Downs, Alex Lora, Celso Piña, Mariachi Vargas y La Sonora Santanera.

New Year's Celebrations – Dec. 31-Jan. 1

Puerto Vallarta is an awesome place to party anytime of the year, but on New Year's Eve it literally explodes! It's got the atmosphere, the proper attitude and the energy to attract people who know a great party when the see one. Of course, the main attraction is the fireworks that explode all across Banderas Bay at midnight, as dozens of hotels and restaurants both here and in Nuevo Vallarta set off professional pyrotechnic displays and amateurs fire off firecrackers with varying degrees of ability. For this awesome demonstration, most everyone in Puerto Vallarta gathers on the Malecon, the preferred spot to watch the great fireworks display. After the fireworks, visitors and residents alike celebrate the night with music and dancing in the streets of the Romantic Zone. Puerto Vallartans celebrate New Year's Eve by honoring the Catholic traditions of the Spaniards who came centuries ago by eating the 12 grapes of happiness, one grape every time the clock strikes at midnight. As in the rest of the world, Mexicans gather together with loved ones, relatives, or friends on January 1st to celebrate what they've shared during the past year and to wish a better one for everyone.

Travelers visiting Puerto Vallarta will have the unique and memorable opportunity to experience these cultural celebrations first hand. The local community welcomes tourists to join in all of the festivities and learn about the cultural heritage of Puerto Vallarta.