Fall & Winter 2026–27
From the catrinas on the Malecón to the first humpback breaching in the bay — what's happening, when, and what's worth booking before you fly.
Photo: Another Believer, CC BY-SA 4.0
Fall & Winter 2026–27
The six events worth planning a trip around — tap one for dates, tips and photos.
Late Oct – Nov 2
Day of the Dead
Nov 12–22
31st edition
Dec 1–12
Twelve nights in Centro
Dec – Mar
Banderas Bay
Dec 16–25
Posadas, Nochebuena & a quiet Christmas Day
Dec 31
Fireworks over the bay
Holiday guide
Fall & Winter 2026–27
Puerto Vallarta's biggest cultural moment of the fall. The core days are November 1 and 2; in the days before, monumental catrinas line the Malecón and the city runs a program of altars, music and a catrina parade.
Puerto Vallarta's premier sportfishing tournament, run by the Puerto Vallarta Fishing Club for 70 years, based at the Marina Vallarta boardwalk.
Mexico's longest-running culinary festival: for eleven days, guest chefs from around the world cook alongside local restaurants' kitchens in Puerto Vallarta, Riviera Nayarit and Tepic.
A national holiday: the official day off is Monday, November 16, creating a long weekend when visitors from Guadalajara and beyond fill the town. The traditional date, November 20, often brings a civic parade.
Not a Mexican holiday, so it's a normal day in town — but many restaurants popular with US and Canadian visitors typically offer turkey dinners. Reserve ahead.
Puerto Vallarta's most local December tradition and the one most visitors miss. For twelve days, neighborhoods, businesses and schools march to the Our Lady of Guadalupe church, the crowned church facing City Hall.
Every winter, humpback whales migrate to the warm water of Banderas Bay to mate and give birth. Watching a mother and calf — or a full breach — is the trip most winter visitors remember.
Mexican Christmas builds for nine nights of posadas and peaks on Christmas Eve, not Christmas Day. For visitors that means one big dinner to book early, and then one of the calmest, loveliest beach days of the year.
The whole city ends up on the waterfront. The Malecón becomes a free open-air party with a stage, street food and music, and fireworks light up the bay at midnight — visible from almost anywhere along it.
The real end of the holiday season: children get gifts from the Three Kings and families share a rosca de reyes. Whoever finds the figurine hidden in the bread owes everyone tamales on February 2.
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FAQ
Many are, but the big night in Mexico is Christmas Eve (Nochebuena, December 24), when lots of restaurants serve set holiday menus and book up early. December 25 is a quiet, relaxed day; some places close or open late, so check hours before you go.
The main free celebration is on the Malecón in Centro, with a stage near the Lighthouse and fireworks over the bay at midnight. The Los Muertos Pier, the Hotel Zone and Marina beachfronts, and the terraces of Conchas Chinas also have clear views across the bay.
Humpback whales arrive in December and stay through March; SEMARNAT publishes the official dates each year (last season ran December 8 to March 23). January and February are the peak months.
From December 1 to 12, hundreds of pilgrimages — neighborhoods, businesses, schools — walk along Calle Juárez to the Our Lady of Guadalupe church in Centro, with music, dancers and food stalls. December 12 is the main day.
What's on this week in Vallarta, plus a heads-up when holiday plans and dates are announced. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
