Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - The 7th edition of Vallarta Pride, Puerto Vallarta's annual gay pride festival, is set to take place in La Zona Romantica from May 19 to 26, 2019 with a variety of events designed to honor the vibrant LGBT community that live in and visit this popular tourist destination.

Non-profit associations, local businesses and the entire LGBT community have joined together to organize this event that celebrates the lifestyle diversity of our city through a variety of fantastic events, a whole lot of partying, and our fabulous Pride Parade.

Here are just some of the highlights of Vallarta Pride 2019. Visit the official website or Facebook page for more information.

The celebration kicks off on Sunday, May 19 with an International AIDS Candlelight Vigil, a community mobilization campaign designed to raise social consciousness about HIV and AIDS and break down barriers of stigma and discrimination. The procession begins at 8:30 pm behind the Naval Museum, next to Los Arcos Amphitheater in downtown Puerto Vallarta, and heads south along the Malecón until it reaches Plaza Lazaro Cardenas, where a formal ceremony will be held.

On Tuesday, May 21, at 3:00 pm everyone's favorite 'Diva Loca,' Amy Armstrong, will host a very special edition of Adult Bingo to benefit two non-profit community organizations - SETAC and PuRR Project - at Nacho Daddy. This ain't your Grandma's Bingo, so fasten your seat belts and get ready for a wild ride! A limited number of tickets will be sold for this rousing afternoon of fun and games, get yours TODAY at Nacho Daddy (Basilio Badillo #287) or at the SETAC Office, (Open Tues-Thurs 4:00-8:00 pm; Sat 10:00 am-2:00 pm at Lazaro Cardenas 379-C).

On Wednesday, May 22, El Colibri Bar in downtown Puerto Vallarta will host the "Pink & Proud Meet & Greet," a cocktail party for women only from 7:00 pm to 12:00 am. That same evening, The Top Sky Bar at Almar Resort invites both men and women to enjoy a Pink Dinner, also at 7:00 pm. Attendees of both events are encouraged to wear pink clothing, accessories, etc.

On Thursday, May 23, the 2019 Vallarta Pride Parade throws the party into high gear. Truly the highlight of the festival, the parade will start at 5:00 pm in front of the Hotel Sheraton Buganvilias on Avenida Francisco Medina Asencio, wind its way through the streets of Vallarta and down the Malecón, cross the Río Cuale bridge and continue to Lázaro Cárdenas street, where all of the bars on the "Pride Strip" will offer music, drinks and lots of fun at the Vallarta Pride Block Party with continuous entertainment - from DJs to drag performers - on the stage from 8 pm to 2:00 am. At 9:00 pm, Industry Night Club (Lázaro Cárdenas 258) will be throwing an After Party that won't end until 5:00 am.

On Friday, May 24, the fun starts at 11:00 am at Mantamar Beach Club, where a pool party will keep things 'wet and wild' until 9:00 pm.

At 4:00 pm, the Púlpito Drag Derby, otherwise known as Vallarta's Annual Running Of The Drag Queens, will return for four hours of fun and fabulousness, on the corner of Pulpito and Olas Altas. Come watch these brave Drag Queens race up and down the street in high-heels while competing in crazy challenges to win great prizes and the coveted 'Ruby Tacon' trophy. This year, SETAC, Vallarta's LGBT Community Wellness Center, is taking over the reins of the event, and they're making it bigger, better and more fun than ever!

At 8:30 pm, The Top Sky Bar at Almar Resort will host a Sunset Cocktail Party that won't end when the sun goes down... the party will continue until 1:00 am. Meanwhile, the Pink & Proud Party for Women Only will be held at the spectacular roof-top bar at El Soñador (Ignacio L. Vallarta 229, Zona Romántica). At 9:00 pm, Industry Night Club (Lázaro Cárdenas 258) will be throwing another After Party that won't end until 5:00 am.

On Saturday, May 25, there will be more fun in the sun, with Mantamar Beach Club hosting another pool party from 11:00 am until 5:00 pm, and Casa Cupula throwing the Vallarta Bear Pool Party from 1:00 to 10:00 pm.

The Health Fair, an annual Pride event organized by SETAC, will return to Lazaro Cárdenas Park on Saturday from 3:00 to 8:00 pm. SETAC staff and trained volunteers will be on hand to provide free Rapid HIV Testing, Counseling, condoms and information about prevention of HIV and other sexually-transmitted infections.

From 6:00 pm to 2:00 am at Mantamar Beach Club will host the White Party Puerto Vallarta, and Verona Seafood & Bar (Olas Altas 499-C) will host a "Girls Meet Up" from 9:00 pm to 2:00 am. At 9:00 pm, Industry Night Club (Lázaro Cárdenas 258) will be throwing yet another After Party that won't end until 5:00 am.

On Sunday, May 26 from 11:00 am until 9:00 pm, a Farewell Pool Party at Mantamar Beach Club will close the 2019 Vallarta Pride Celebrations with a splash!

NOTE: The information above was deemed accurate at the time of publication. Dates and times of Vallarta Pride 2019 events are subject to change. Be sure to check the official website or Facebook page for updates before heading out to the Zona Romantica.

About Vallarta PRIDE

Recognized internationally as a LGBT Mecca, Puerto Vallarta warmly receives domestic and international gay visitors, creating a sophisticated culture sheltered by a vibrant local community that is constantly evolving. This heritage was adopted by the Vallarta PRIDE Organizing Committee in order to work together with public and private partners, putting our city on the world stage of the yearly LGBT celebrations. Vallarta PRIDE works towards a future without discrimination so that we all have equal rights before the law. We believe we can achieve this through the LGBT events we organize to inspire, to commemorate and celebrate our community.