Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - There's always so much going on in Puerto Vallarta and around Banderas Bay, it can be difficult to keep up with it all. Here's a look at some upcoming celebrations around the Bay, a few community announcements, and a couple of this weekend's events that you won't want to miss.

1st Annual Bucerías Feria del Buzo, December 21st

For years, Bucerías (which means "The Place of the Divers") existed as a sleepy little fishing village with oyster harvesting as the mainstay of the economy, and now, thanks to local sculptors Octavio González Gutiérrez and Luis Armando Solorio, a monument has been created to honor the local divers that gave this community its name. Called El Buzo de Bucerías, the almost 7-meter-tall stainless steel and bronze "Diver's Statue," which was first presented in the town's Plaza del Viento on June 15th, will be inaugurated on Sunday, December 21, 2014. The artists donated a large part of the statue's $200 thousand peso cost as a charitable gesture, but funds need to be raised to cover the rest of the expenses, so the Riviera Nayarit Association of Restaurant Owners collaborated with other groups in the area to turn the inauguration into a holiday event for residents and visitors. Come out to Bucerías on December 21 from 3 to 11 pm, where you'll enjoy traditional and contemporary music and dance performances by great groups like Tabaco Road and Moruna Band; great food and drinks; a Christmas Market and other family-friendly activities like face painting; sculpting, print and pinata making; contests, raffles and more, on the Town Square and Malecón. All of this for a donation of just $50 pesos. If you wish to participate as an exhibitor, to volunteer, or to make a donation, contact Micaela or Aristotoles at 322-168-6942, email buzo(at)keytobucerias.com, or visit El Buzo de Bucerias on Facebook.

New Friday Market at Marsol Hotel to Open with a Holiday Fiesta

We are celebrating the opening of the new Friday Market, located in the lobby of the Marsol Hotel at the foot of Los Muertos pier in the Zona Romantic, with a Holiday Fiesta featuring many local businesses and vendors. The grand opening is on Friday, December 12, from 9:30 am to 2 pm and will feature specialty foods from restaurants and local vendors, unique jewelry, clothing for your holiday parties, T-shirts, men's wear, Christmas gifts, toys, art works, handicrafts, beachwear, services and more. There will also be music and a festive atmosphere where you can shop and visit with your friends. The idea of this market is to help bring more visitors to our local businesses, artists, artisans and creative people. The market will be held every Friday through April 2015.

Support an Angel: Give a Child a Future in Puerto Vallarta
Tim Wilson - GAYPV.mx

On December 5th, 6th & 13th, Garbo Piano Bar and The Swedes Bar & Bistro will be welcoming students from Colonia Volcanes, located 45 minutes from Puerto Vallarta, to sing Christmas carols at Púlpito Plaza. Theirs is an extremely low-income area where students have the opportunity to learn English and computer skills, thanks to the Volcanes Community Education Project. The non-profit program strives to break the cycle of poverty through education. Come and enjoy the bilingual Christmas show and purchase your own angel to help support these wonderful children during Christmas time! The Puerto Vallarta Men's Chorus will also be performing, so don't miss your chance to enjoy a free holiday concert at Púlpito Plaza (outside The Swedes restaurant on Olas Altas) on December 5, 6 & 13th at 7 pm.

American School of Puerto Vallarta Open House

On Thursday, December 11, 2014 from 8:30-11:30 am, the American School of Puerto Vallarta will open its doors to families in Puerto Vallarta and surrounding areas to discover why it is the best educational institution in the region. We want families to LIVE the American School experience, so instead of a typical presentation we’ve set up a self-guided tour for visitors. There will be 11 stations in all, each one representing an important facet of our school. Families can choose to visit some or all the stations. Visitors completing the route will receive a surprise gift at the end of the tour. Visiting families will learn about and discover the following: • Preschool • Primary School • Secondary School • Sports & Athletics • Art & Music • Community Service • Technology • Science • Libraries • Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) • Admissions & College Prep/Guidance. For more information, visit aspv.edu.mx, email camerica(at)aspv.edu.mx, or call (322) 226-7672.

Weekend Events in Puerto Vallarta and Around Banderas Bay
Click on titles for more information

• Puerto Vallarta Celebrates Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe

• First Annual 'Vallarta Open' Tennis Tournament

• 'Love Letters' on the Act II Entertainment Main Stage