On May 31, 2026, the city of Puerto Vallarta will celebrate two remarkable milestones: the 108th anniversary of its establishment as a municipality and the 58th anniversary of its designation as a city. Residents and visitors alike are preparing for several days of cultural events, live entertainment, and community gatherings that honor the city’s proud past and dynamic future.
Set along Mexico’s Pacific coast, Puerto Vallarta grew from a small settlement founded in 1851 by Guadalupe Sánchez, who established a trading post along the Cuale River to supply salt to nearby silver mining towns. Originally named Las Peñas de Santa María de Guadalupe, the community steadily expanded and officially became the municipality of Puerto Vallarta on May 31, 1918, honoring former Jalisco governor Ignacio Luis Vallarta.
Five decades later, with burgeoning infrastructure and improved transportation links, it earned the prestigious title of a city. Today, the city’s anniversary festivities reflect both its rich heritage and its strong sense of community.
This year’s celebration begins on May 29 with Puerto: Archivo y Memoria, a cultural event dedicated to preserving the city’s historical documents, photographs, and archives. The exhibition opens at 8:00 am, while an evening conference at 6:00 pm will bring together historians and archival specialists from Puerto Vallarta, Guadalajara, Zapopan, and the General Archive of the State of Jalisco to discuss the importance of safeguarding regional history.
Festivities continue on Saturday, May 30, with a series of free performances along the Malecón. The Ballet Folklórico Cuauhtémoc will perform at Los Arcos Amphitheater beginning at 6:00 pm, while the Orquestra Escuela PV presents a musical performance near the Matamoros lighthouse accompanied by visual projections on the Malecón lighthouse at 7:00 pm. At the same time, Ballet Clásico VallArte Estudio will bring classical dance to Los Arcos. Later in the evening, DJ Jovana Dávalos will energize the waterfront celebration with music and multimedia projections beginning at 8:30 pm.
The official anniversary on Sunday, May 31, begins early with the Carrera por la Niñez at 7:00 am, a charitable fun run raising funds for the Comprehensive Care Program for People with Disabilities. The event combines fitness and philanthropy while bringing families together for a meaningful cause.
At 3:00 pm, city officials will hold a civic ceremony and flag honors presentation, followed by a performance from the regional military band accompanied by folkloric dancers at the Letras del Malecón (Puerto Vallarta sign). The Solemn Session will take place at Los Arcos at 4:00 pm.
One of the day’s most anticipated moments arrives at 5:30 pm, when the Mexican Air Force will present an aerial exhibition over the Malecón. The program includes a parachute demonstration and a thrilling 25-minute performance by the Águilas Aztecas acrobatic team, featuring up to eight aircraft performing precision maneuvers above Banderas Bay.
Following the air show, Mayor Luis Munguía and municipal leaders will gather at the Malecón sign at 6:30 pm to present the 2026 Premio Vallarta awards, recognizing local citizens for their outstanding service to the community.
Following the awards ceremony, the crowd will join together to sing the Mexican National Anthem before sharing the city’s traditional birthday cake at 6:45 pm. Live musical entertainment will then fill the main stage by the lighthouse, beginning with a jazz ensemble at 7:00 pm, followed by Grupo Caché at 8:00 pm and Grupo Farra at 9:30 pm.
The multi-day celebration reaches its peak at 11:00 pm with a synchronized fireworks display over Banderas Bay, lighting up the night sky in honor of the city’s anniversary. Afterwards, Grupo Farra will return to the stage before a free concert by a surprise guest artist. Previous anniversary celebrations have featured major performers including Pepe Aguilar and Los Ángeles Azules, creating memorable evenings for locals and visitors alike.
Beyond the music and festivities, the double anniversary offers an opportunity to reflect on Puerto Vallarta’s extraordinary journey from a modest riverside trading post to an internationally admired coastal city. Through historical exhibits, educational conferences, cultural presentations, and public celebrations, this year’s festivities showcase the pride, resilience, and enduring traditions that continue to shape the community.
The Banderas News Team extends its warmest congratulations to Puerto Vallarta on this historic occasion and wishes residents and visitors a safe, joyful, and memorable celebration.
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