Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - The month of September kicks off a fall and winter full of national holidays and celebrations in Puerto Vallarta that offer visitors a unique opportunity to experience Mexico's rich cultural heritage through a host of exciting events focusing on religion, gastronomy, history and nature.

In the upcoming months, the following cultural celebrations and national holidays will fill the streets of Puerto Vallarta with exciting sights, tastes, sounds, and experiences for the enjoyment of locals and tourists alike.

Mexican Culture Comes Alive on El Día de Charro

September 14 is El Día de Charro, a day to celebrate Mexico's cowboys. Charreria, or Mexican rodeo, is often a family tradition, passed down from one generation to the next. The sport evolved over centuries from the demands of working life on ranches and keeps alive traditions and cultural values such as strength, work, order and respect. On September 14, Puerto Vallarta will honor the Mexican cowboys. The celebration traditionally begins with local charros, wearing large sombreros and brightly embellished jackets, riding on the horseback through the streets of downtown Puerto Vallarta. The festivities continue into the evening with rich food, music, celebratory dances, and traditional charro style calf roping on the Malecón.

¡Viva México! El Grito de Independencia

On September 15, the eve of Mexican Independence Day, thousands gather below the balcony of the Municipal Square for the traditional Ceremonia del Grito de Independencia. As the clock begins to strike eleven, silence falls over the crowd as the Mayor steps out onto the balcony of La Presidencia (the municipal government building) to ring the symbolic liberty bell and give El Grito de Dolores, which is met by the people's response of "Viva Mexico!" and "Viva la Independencia!" in an emotion-packed traditional annual ritual. El Grito is an event not to missed as it is followed by music, food, drink and fireworks.

Anniversary of Mexico's War of Independence

September 16th is El Dìa de Independencia, which commemorates the day in 1810 that Miguel Hidalgo, considered the father of Mexico, publicly initiated what became the Mexican independence movement, and started the Mexican revolt against the Spanish rulers. El Dìa de Independencia is a national holiday. Most people have the day off from work so they can enjoy fiestas and the parade that winds through downtown. Banks, government offices and about half of the businesses in Puerto Vallarta will close in observance of the holiday, but plenty of restaurants will be open so you can wrap up the festivities with an authentic Mexican dinner.

Vallarta-Nayarit Gastronomica 2016 - An Incomparable Gourmet Weekend

October 23 to 26 offers Puerto Vallarta visitors a feast of flavors with the return of Vallarta-Nayarit Gastronomica - a gourmet weekend where professional chefs, sommeliers and lovers of gastronomy gather together to host a series of events celebrating the art of eating, drinking, and living well. Now in its 8th edition, the 2016 Vallarta-Nayarit Gastronomica will be held at Hard Rock Hotel Vallarta and welcome Chef Jordi Roca (3 Michelin stars) of El Celler de Can Roca, named the "Best Restaurant in the World."

A Very Special Day of The Dead Celebration

Despite its morbid name, Día de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead) is one of Mexico's most exciting events, and offers an excellent way to experience its culture, history and people. This Mexican festival that honors and remembers loved ones who have died is an extended holiday that typically begins on October 31 and continues through November 2nd. This year, Puerto Vallarta's celebrations will run from Oct 29-Nov 2, as the holiday coincides with the XII International Congress of the Most Beautiful Bays of the World, and gives the city a unique opportunity to share one of Mexico's most beloved traditions with the world. Vallarta's 2016 Día de Los Muertos festival, which will feature art, movie screenings, music, food, parades and more, will be held in public spaces throughout the city, including the Malecón, Plaza de Armas, Aquiles Serdan Park, along Iturbide, Mina and Aldama streets, La Isla Rio Cuale, the Cuale Market, Lazaro Cardenas Park, and on Insurgentes, Basilio Badillo, Olas Altas, Francisca Rodriguez and Pulpito streets.

Festival Gourmet International Vallarta

From November 12-20th, the 22nd Annual Festival Gourmet International will be held at some of the finest restaurants in Puerto Vallarta and around Banderas Bay. During the 7-day festival, a star studded cast of national and international guest chefs will come to Puerto Vallarta to share their expertise with our talented local chefs, giving diners a multitude of unique opportunities to savor inspired world-class menus. For those who are familiar with Puerto Vallarta's annual gourmet festival, expect the same spectacular events: the inauguration cocktail to introduce the visiting chefs, the fantastic Sunday brunch with traditional Mariachi and the final gala event topped off with fireworks that light up the night sky. Puerto Vallarta's annual International Festival Gourmet also offers the opportunity to attend cooking classes, learn about wine pairing, taste the newest and best in both wines and tequila, and, of course, savor the flavors of Mexico - and the world - at some of the finest restaurants in the Banderas Bay region.

Puerto Vallarta International Billfish Tournament

From November 16-19th, one of the most prestigious national and international sportfishing tournaments on the West Coast, the Torneo Internacional Puerto Vallarta de Pez Vela y Marlin, will celebrate its 61st edition. Sponsored by the Club de Pesca Puerto Vallarta (Puerto Vallarta Fishing Club), whose objective is to promote sport fishing and the organization of tournaments and sportsmanship, while creating a sense of preservation for the abundant species that reside in the warm blue waters of Banderas Bay and the Mexican Pacific, the International Sailfish and Marlin Tournament offers anglers 3 exciting days of competitive fishing in some of Mexico's finest waters.

El Día de la Revolucion in Puerto Vallarta

On November 20 Mexico commemorates El Día de la Revolucion, or Revolution Day, the start of the Mexican Revolution ignited by Francisco Madero. More commonly known as el veinte de noviembre, Revolution Day in Puerto Vallarta is a time of celebration with music, (especially Mariachi, which became the symbol of the Revolution because it represented the national spirit of the indigenous Mexican blood,) parades, cultural activities, patriotic speeches and official ceremonies.

Spending The Winter Holidays in Puerto Vallarta

December in Puerto Vallarta is always filled with colorful traditions and wonderful fiestas, making it a great time to visit! December 1–12, the twelve days leading up to the Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe, are particularly festive, with the church bells ringing every morning and the nights filled with people walking the Malecón, street vendors, and great entertainment throughout the city. December 12 is one of the most festive holidays in Puerto Vallarta, simultaneously celebrating Día de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, which commemorates the miraculous appearance of the Virgin of Guadalupe to the Indian peasant Juan Diego on December 12, 1531, and the day that Puerto Vallarta was founded. After the religious ceremony, join the celebrations on the Malecon with fireworks, and a variety of street food vendors offering Mexican delicacies. December 12–24 are the time of Las Posadas, which are candlelight processions throughout the city that commemorate the biblical story of Joseph and Mary’s search for shelter in Bethlehem. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are dedicated to spending time with family and celebrating. Shortly after Christmas, the festivities continue with the Day of the Innocents (Dec 28), when people pull practical jokes on each other; and on into the New Year when Puerto Vallarta gathers on the Malecón, the preferred spot to watch the fireworks display over Banderas Bay.

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