Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico - Municipal authorities, the Puerto Vallarta Tourism Trust, businesses and civil societies are working together to offer an exciting schedule of events, with an emphasis on gastronomy, music and Mexican traditions, for the thousands of visitors here for the Semana Santa and Pascua holidays - and beyond! - to enjoy.

Every day of the two week holiday there will be a traditional Mexican Kermes in the Plaza de Armas from 6:00 to 10:30 pm, with music and antojitos for sale in a festive atmosphere.

On Friday, April 14, the Pata Salada "La Fiesta de Mi Pueblo" event will be held at Parque Hidalgo from 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm with live music and dancing, and booths selling traditional Mexican food.

Saturday the 15th will offer two collective yoga classes: at 8:00 am at Los Arcos del Malecón, and at 6:00 pm o'clock on the Rio Cuale island. From 9:30 am to 2:00 pm, the traditional Old Town Farmers' Market will be installed in the Romantic Zone's Lazaro Cardenas Park, where they offer homemade natural products, organic foods, arts and crafts, and more.

Festival del Taco

The 2017 Puerto Vallarta Taco Festival will be held from 2:00-10:00 pm on April 15 & 16 in the Puerto de Luna Hotel's Jardín de la Luna. This family-friendly event will feature twenty of the best taco restaurants in the city offering a wide variety of Mexico's most representative dish - the taco! - not to mention beer and tequila tastings, traditional Lucha Libre exhibitions, live music and other fun activities. For more information, visit Festival del Taco on Facebook. El Jardin de la Luna is located at Av. Medina Ascencio #2500 Int. #217. Tel: (322) 225-0480. Click HERE for map.

Festival de Pascua

This celebration brings free entertainment by eight different groups to Los Arcos del Malecón on Thursday, April 20, Friday the 21st and Saturday the 22nd. The music festival kicks off at 7:00 pm on the 20th with a performance by the Three Circus group; followed by the Joker Trio Band at 8:00 pm and After the Nightfall at 9:00 pm. On Friday, April 21, the classic group Wixarika, Musical Culture will perform at 7:00 pm; followed by Mariachi Continental at 8:00 pm and Codiciados del Puerto at 9:00 pm. The festival wraps up on Saturday the 22nd with performances by Chepi's Rock Band at 7:00 pm and the Retro Group at 8:00 pm. Get a sneak peek at the performances at canaldelpuerto.tv.

XI Festival Vallarta Azteca del Folclor Internacional

From April 27 through May 7th, 16 dance groups from twelve Mexican states and three South American Countries will participate in the Eleventh Puerto Vallarta Folkloric Dance Festival, an annual event organized by Grupo Folklorico Vallarta Azteca and endorsed by the International Council of Organizations of Folklore Festivals and Folk Art (CIOFF), a partner organization of UNESCO. According to event organizer Juan Antonio Salcedo, every dance group will perform a 45 minute repertoire with pieces emblematic of the state they represent. The traditional, bright and multi-colored costumes represent a great part of Mexico's history and culture, making this year's an event that you won't want to miss! More information, photos from past Vallarta Folkloric Festivals, and a complete schedule of this year's performances can be found on the Festival Vallarta Azteca del Folclor Internacional Facebook page.

'Down Puerto Vallarta 2017' Extreme Cycling Event

The first edition of the 'Down Puerto Vallarta' BMX race is set to take place on April 30 and May 1st, bringing 40 internationally-renowned extreme cyclists and lots of excitement to the streets of Puerto Vallarta. A series of Downhill, Slopestyle & Freestyle competitions and stunts will thrill the more than 20 thousand spectators who will be visiting Puerto Vallarta for this extreme cycling event. Saturday is focused on preparing the bikers for Sunday's event, which will include a downhill race at 4:30 pm that starts at Cerro de La Cruz and winds through the streets all the way down to the Malecón. They competitors are expected to arrive at the finish line at 6:30 pm. At 7:00 pm, there will be a BMX stunts and tricks competition on the Malecón, followed by the awards ceremony. For more information visit the event page on Facebook.

These are just some of the exciting activities that the City has planned for the thousands of tourists who visit Puerto Vallarta at this time of year. "It is important that we remain relevant to visitors of all ages, and that they see that we have many things to offer them," Puerto Vallarta Tourism Board Director Agustín Álvarez Valdivia said.