JANUARY 2020
January Saturdays 4, 11, 18, 25
Vallarta Cup Race Series
About 20 sailboats will participate in this series of races, which not only serve as competition but also inspire moments of camaraderie among the assistants thanks to the traditional Saturday theme parties held after every race at the Vallarta Yacht Club in Nuevo Vallarta.
📍 Nuevo Vallarta Vallarta – Vallarta Yacht Club
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January 11 – 12
4th Nuevo Vallarta Car Show
If you love cars, you can’t miss the Nuevo Vallarta Car Show taking place in the Riviera Nayarit, an event organized by the Wolfs Bugs Nuevo Vallarta club where over 300 exhibition-ready cars and motorcycles will be on display.
📍 Nuevo Vallarta
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January 16 – 24
Our Lady of Peace Patron Saint Festivities
In order to celebrate their patron saint, local citizens head out on a maritime pilgrimage on their gaily-festooned boats from La Cruz de Huanacaxtle to Bucerías. This is one of the most deeply rooted traditions of this coastal village in the Riviera Nayarit. There is a full program for the week, including religious services as well as sports, artistic, and cultural activities.
📍 Bucerías
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January 19 – 26
San Blas International Migratory Bird Festival
San Blas is undoubtedly one of the top migratory and endemic bird watching areas on the continent. Several artistic and cultural activities revolving around the birds will be held during the festival, as well as tours along the traditional bird watching routes.
📍 San Blas
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31 January – 1 February
Women & Traditional Cuisine
Women & Traditional Cuisine will bring renowned mexican female chefs together to cook signature culinary creeations. Their unique cooking style combine traditional with modern flavors. Pamper your palate in this prestigious culinary event.
📍 Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit – Nuevo Vallarta
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31 January – 2 February
Festival Sayulita
The Festival is ready to party with the tagline “Movies, Music, Drink and Life.” In this year the Centro Creativo comes to life, it represents the community and has been the main project of this festival along the years.
📍 Sayulita
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FEBRUARY 2020
31 January – 1 February
Women & Traditional Cuisine
Women & Traditional Cuisine will bring renowned mexican female chefs together to cook signature culinary creeations. Their unique cooking style combine traditional with modern flavors. Pamper your palate in this prestigious culinary event.
📍 Grand Velas Riviera Nayarit – Nuevo Vallarta
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31 January – 2 February
Festival Sayulita
The Festival is ready to party with the tagline “Movies, Music, Drink and Life.” In this year the Centro Creativo comes to life, it represents the community and has been the main project of this festival along the years.
📍 Sayulita
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February 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29
Guayabitos Festival
This festival has been celebrated every Saturday of the month for the past 11 years, offering a varied mix of performing arts on the main plaza.
📍 Rincón de Guayabitos
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February 3
San Blas Patron Saint Festival
This Catholic celebration includes pilgrimages, dances and fireworks. The most special pilgrimage happens aboard skiffs towards the white stone, in order to be blessed and ask for a good fishing season.
📍 San Blas
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February 4 – 6
Bucerías Street Annual Chalk Art Walk
Businesses and Restaurants, will be setting up “curb side” on Lazaro Cardenas and at the same time, artists from around the world, will be there to render their chalk paintings directly on the street. The Bucerias Street Festival is 3 events: An opportunity for Business to have booths street side to present their services, Restaurants, Chefs and Caterers will be street side selling “Tastes” and there will be a Music and Cultural Street Party.
📍 Bucerías
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February 15
Flamingos Canamex Cup
North America is looking for the best golf team in the area, a title that’s being disputed between Mexico, the United States and Canada at the Flamingos Golf Course, the oldest in the region.
📍 Flamingos
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February 23
Taste of Lo de Marcos
Attendees will enjoy the best of the town’s gastronomy as well as help fund resources for Amigos de Lo de Marcos and the local Citizens’ Action Committee to help promote culture.
📍 Lo de Marcos
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February 28 – 29
Veg Fest Bucerías
The 2nd. vegan and vegetarian Fest, the event will be held in the main square of Bucerias. There will be more tan 50 entrepreneurs of the region that produce some vegan or vegetarian products.
📍 Bucerías
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February 28 – March 01
San Pancho Music Festival
Prepare for three days of great music with local, national and international artists at the Cultural Capital of the Riviera Nayarit. The Plaza del Sol will once again host these top-level shows.
📍 San Francisco
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February 29
Matanchén Bay Open Water Swim
New challenge, new location. This second edition of this open water tournament in the waves of San Blas is open to all the country’s swimmers for 1k, 3k, and 6k competitions.
📍 San Blas, Bahía de Matanchén
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MARCH 2020
February 28 – March 01
San Pancho Music Festival
Prepare for three days of great music with local, national and international artists at the Cultural Capital of the Riviera Nayarit. The Plaza del Sol will once again host these top-level shows.
📍 San Francisco
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March 4 – 8
Wesmex International Small Boat Regatta
The Vallarta Yacht Club in Nuevo Vallarta is happy to welcome this regatta once again; it’s considered one of the top five regattas in the Mexican Circuit by the associations in the Optimist, Laser, Windsurf and 420 classes.
📍 Nuevo Vallarta
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March 07 – 08
Raicilla, Mezcal & Craft Beer Riviera Nayarit Festival
Visitors enjoy drinks in perfect harmony with the regional gastronomy and will take “home” the experience of having tasted handcrafted products, while enjoying the Nuevo Vallarta Marina scenery in the Riviera Nayarit.
📍 Nuevo Vallarta
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March 10 – 11
Banderas Bay Music Festival
The first annual Banderas Bay Music Festival represents one of the best convergences of place and music ever. This exciting new festival is located in the Bay’s small beach resort town of Bucerias..
📍 Bucerías, Arroyos Verdes
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March 13 – 15
Chacala Music Festival
With something for everyone, this artistic and cultural event is a four-day celebration for locals and visitors alike to enjoy music, good food, a fun atmosphere and plenty of beach time.
📍 Chacala
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Postponed
The San Pancho Children’s Circus
Talented children and teens from the Riviera Nayarit will engage in circus acts of the highest caliber in the town of San Pancho under the watchful direction of Gilles Ste-Croix, co-founder of the Cirque du Soleil.
📍 San Pancho
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Postponed
National Cheerleader Competition
The 2019 National APEN All Star Mexico Competition is back for its seventh year in the Riviera Nayarit. Approximately 20 teams from different states around the nation will show off their talent in categories including Choreography or Dance and Acrobatics.
📍 Nuevo Vallarta
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Postponed
Banderas Bay International Regatta
Over 25 boats and more than 200 participants from Mexico, the United States and Canada will be competing for the trophy in this friendly competition, considered to be the coolest in the world.
📍 Nuevo Vallarta
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APRIL 2020
April 06 – 12
Holy & Easter Week
There’s no excuse for staying home this Easter Week! The Riviera Nayarit wants your vacation stay to be unforgettable.
📍 Riviera Nayarit
Postponed
Batizado Capoeira Art Festival
The history of this martial art of Brazilian origin continues in San Pancho. World-class masters will be on-hand to share their knowledge in classes, workshops, conferences and the grand graduation ceremony.
📍 San Pancho
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Postponed
Oyster Festival
One of Bucerías’ most iconic events is the yearly Oyster Festival, which celebrates local divers with a popular feast that showcases the sense of community shared by the locals. They elect a festival queen, search for the largest oyster and offer visitors a delicious selection of dishes.
📍 Bucerías
Postponed
Riviera Nayarit Open Water Swimming Tournament
One of the most intense competitions in the Destination takes place in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle. It’s quite the show to see the swimmers break the line and race to be the first to reach the finish..
📍 La Cruz de Huanacaxtle
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Postponed
Children’s Fishing Tournament
Once again the Riviera Nayarit CVB celebrates children with a recreational sports event, where they can learn fishing techniques in a family environment at the Marina Riviera Nayarit in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle.
📍 Marina Riviera Nayarit La Cruz de Huanacaxtle
MAY 2020
May 3
Patron Saint Feast of the Holy Cross
This religious tradition welcomes all the people of the towns in the region of La Cruz de Huanacaxtle to enjoy a lovely festival in the village’s main plaza.
📍 La Cruz de Huanacaxtle
Postponed
Yoga Nómada
A retreat to get deepen in the yoga practice, meditation and breathing techniques. Master yogis from US are confrmed to the event an will host practical sessions through workshops, master classes and meditation sessions provinding two days of full activities for all levels.
📍 Punta Mita – Sufi Ocean Club
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Postponed
Riviera Nayarit Mountain Bike
Mountain bike lovers rejoice: this is your perfect event, which combines the beach at Litibú with the mountain at Higuera Blanca for an amazing event. Cyclists 18 years and older are welcome to ride till the wheels come off!
📍 Litibú / Higuera Blanca
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Postponed until 2021
LXX National Championship / XXIV International Golf Edition
Golf event organized by Mexican Golf Federation.
📍 Vidanta – Nuevo Vallarta
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JUNE 2020
June 1
Navy Day
A grand military parade will take over the historic Puerto de San Blas, Rincón de Guayabitos and La Cruz de Huanacaxtle by land and by sea, in order to commemorate the armed forces that protect and serve the Mexican nation.
📍 Riviera Nayarit
June 29
Mexcaltitán Battle of the Saints
This patron saint feast commemorating saints Peter and Paul includes one of the most iconic traditional ceremonies on the Isla de Mexcaltitán, the birthplace of Mexican heritage: a pilgrimage that emulates the Mexicas, or Aztecs, who left Aztlán to establish the great city of Tenochtitlán.
📍 Mexcaltitán
TBD
60th Annual San Blas International Sport Fishing Tournament
One of the Riviera Nayarit’s signature events, the San Blas International Sport Fishing Tournament celebrates its 60th year of adrenaline-pumping moments for lovers of deep-sea fishing.
📍 San Blas
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Postponed until 2021
Moto Fiesta Guayabitos
This event was born of the desire to give motorcycle enthusiasts a place where they can show off their spectacular machines to the general public and enjoy time together.
📍 Rincón de Guayabitos
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Postponed
21° Guayafest 2020
About 300 of these German-designed cars will converge on the streets of Guayabitos during this family-oriented event, among them Bugs, combis and other retro styles.
📍 Rincón de Guayabitos
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JULY 2020
Pospuesto Julio 2021
14th Bahía de Banderas International Fishing Tournament
Organized by the Bahía de Banderas Fishing Club, this traditional event that focuses on catching marlin and tuna returns to the waters off of the Riviera Nayarit with a slew of national and international participants.
📍 Nuevo Vallarta
➤ More Information
TBD
VII Sea Turtle Festival
This festival, held in the community of Platanitos, serves up activities aimed at protecting the environment and the conservation of the sea turtles.
📍 Platanitos Beach
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AUGUST 2020
August 1 – 2
8th Punta Mita Beach Festival
This fun family summer event mixes sports, gastronomy and luxury in Mexico’s most exclusive residential community.
📍 Punta Mita
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August 6 – 15
Corn Festival
A visit to Jala and Xalisco this August can be a great way to experience the Riviera Nayarit and its traditions. Located just a short distance from the coast of Nayarit, the communities of Jala and Xalisco plan all sorts of events including dances, entertainment, horse races and cockfights. The festivities originated with the celebration of Our Lady of the Assumption and in Jala the biggest ear of corn wins a prize.
📍 Jala
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August 8
3rd Tourist Route Puerto Vallarta Banderas Bay
Cycling route of 100 K, 75K and 20K, recreational route celebrated between the municipalities of Puerto Vallarta and Bahía de Banderas.
📍 Puerto Vallarta – Riviera Nayarit
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► Video Event 2019
SEPTEMBER 2020
September 15 and 16
Independence Day Festivities
The celebration of the Independence Day Festivities is one of our most treasured traditions, and the Riviera Nayarit makes the Grito, or yell, a very special occasion. The festivities begin on the evening of the 15th with the Grito de Independencia, a ceremony that’s replicated in nearly every plaza in nearly every coastal town, along with fireworks and fairs. The celebration continues on the 16th with a military and sports parade to commemorate another year of Mexico’s Independence.
📍 Riviera Nayarit
September 15 – October 10
Restaurant Week
This restaurant festival takes place for two weeks in the Riviera Nayarit and Puerto Vallarta, where culinary outlets will offer three-course prix fixe menus. It’s a fantastic opportunity to try out new eateries.
📍 Banderas Bay
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September 26 – October 04
San Francisco Patron Saint Feasts
Fairs, dances and jamborees with a special twist are a specialty of the Riviera Nayarit’s Cultural Capital. These festivities honor San Francisco, also known as San Pancho, and are a very Mexican tradition.
📍 San Francisco
Postponed
Riviera Fest
Exhibition of VW cars organized by the ANCVM (National Association of Volkswagen Clubs of Mexico).
📍 Nuevo Vallarta
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OCTOBER 2020
October 11 – 15
12° Vallarta – Nayarit Gastronómica
This is a gourmet weekend when professionals and lovers of gastronomy can come together to enjoy different events in Puerto Vallarta and the Riviera Nayarit. There will be workshops, pairings, tastings, dinners and special events for academia, culinary professionals and the most demanding foodies.
📍 Riviera Nayarit – Puerto Vallarta
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October 31
Christ the King Day
The festivities in honor of Christ the King are very special, particularly in the community of Ixtlán del Río, Nayarit. They’re celebrated on the last Sunday in October, though a novena is held beforehand with the participation of the surrounding neighborhoods, which compete to have the best pilgrimage and float. The celebration is open to the entire family where peace and harmony reign.
📍 Ixtlán del Río
October 31 – November 2
10° Festival Day of the Dead Sayulita
Even though it’s not one of the most deeply rooted traditions in the region, the local cemeteries fill up with colorful flower arrangements in remembrance of the dearly departed. In Sayulita Pueblo Mágico there are altars, pilgrimages, mass, and a procession to the cemetery.
📍 Sayulita
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October 12 – 13
6th Guayabitos Athletic Race
Pedestrian race with different categories, among them youths, masters and open, divided into men’s and women’s divisions. The race is celebrated through the main avenues of Rincon de Guayabitos and Los Ayala.
📍 Rincón de Guayabitos
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October 26
ABH Aquatic Marathon
Considered one of the top open water competitions in Mexico, this national series will see swimmers from 10 different states around the nation compete in the “Mexican Pacific’s largest pool,” including Nayarit, Sinaloa, Jalisco, Puebla, Michoacán, San Luis Potosí, Nuevo León, Colima, Guanajuato and the Estado de México.
📍 Rincón de Guayabitos
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October 3-6
8° La Cruz de Huanacaxtle Fishing Tournament
The top tournament in the Mexican Pacific returns to the Riviera Nayarit, a destination that offers all the best attractions for lovers of sport fishing. Fishermen interested in participating in the competition can visit the official webpage for the Tepic Sport Fishing Club .
📍 La Cruz De Huanacaxtle (Marina Riviera Nayarit)
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Postponed
MEXILOG Fest – Punta Burros Riviera Nayarit
This is a lifestyle surfing event: conscious, inclusive and a lot of fun, with the participation of the best proponents of the traditional longboard with an ecological and sustainable focus. A week of surfing, music, art, shapers, surf clinics for kids and much more.
📍 Punta Burros
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NOVEMBER 2020
October 31 – November 2
10° Festival Day of the Dead Sayulita
Even though it’s not one of the most deeply rooted traditions in the region, the local cemeteries fill up with colorful flower arrangements in remembrance of the dearly departed. In Sayulita Pueblo Mágico there are altars, pilgrimages, mass, and a procession to the cemetery.
📍 Sayulita
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November 1
Day of the Dead Bucerías Festival
The Day of the Dead Festival in Bucerías will present a very complete cultural and artistic program, which includes the traditional Calacas Parade (skeletons) and the altars of the dead with their offerings, a representation of our vision of death.
📍 Bucerías
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November 5 – 8
Punta Mita Gourmet & Golf Classic
The Punta de Mita Foundation is extending an invitation to its charity events that help the community. The game format is the Foursome A GoGo. The organizations that will benefit are Peace Punta de Mita, the Punta de Mita Foundation and the Community Project for a center that will become the meeting place for cultural and personal enrichment in the northern area of Bahia de Banderas.
📍 Punta Mita
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November 22
12th Riviera Nayarit Half Marathon
With an excellent and a unique setting, the Half Marathon & 10K Riviera Nayarit is held every year in one of the most beautiful beach tourist destinations in the world. With the participation of runners from Mexico and all around the World, many people consider that this is one of the most beautiful and fun races due to its beautiful route.
📍 Nuevo Vallarta
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TBD
Punta Mita Gourmet & Golf Classic
Fashion show and pool party, event that mixes music, fashion and destination, as well as showing the new trends of the season.
📍 Bolongo, Punta de Mita
Postponed 2021
RHA Festival
Lovers of electronic music—particularly the house style—will surely enjoy this festival in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, which presents a stellar lineup with over a dozen additional Djs.
📍 La Cruz de Huanacaxtle
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TBD
XXV International Gourmet Festival
This festival celebrates 24 years of positioning Puerto Vallarta, Riviera Nayarit and Tepic at the top of the international culinary world. It will include the participation of internationally renowned chefs in charge of bringing in new ideas to the table.
📍 Riviera Nayarit
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TBD
4th Commercial and Cultural Wixarika Expo
For the forth consecutive year, the Riviera Nayarit is hosting this event with the participation of Wixarika groups, who will offer their extraordinary cultural riches with hands-on workshops for embroidery, beadwork, painting and more. The Traditional Medicine Pavilion is a standout, with the participation of four traditional healers.
📍 San Pancho
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TBD
San Blas Motomanía
The VI San Blas Motomanía 2018 is one of the destination’s anchor events with the participation of over three thousand bikers from 15 states in the Republic. The esplanade of the iconic port of San Blas is the main gathering place for the activities, which include contests, live music and exhibits.
📍 San Blas
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Postponed 2021
16th Punta Raza Shore Fishing Tournament
Fishing aficionados have a date at the Punta Raza Beach Club, the El Monteón access to the sea, so they can participate in this family tournament that includes the region’s professionals and amateurs.
📍 Punta Raza
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DECEMBER 2020
December 1 – 12
Our Lady of Guadalupe Patron Saint Feast
From December 1-12, Sayulita and its environs will be immersed in the passion its citizens feel for the Virgin of Guadalupe. The patron saint feasts in this micro-destination of the Riviera Nayarit are very popular and begin with the novena—nine days of pilgrimage from the different neighborhoods and areas to the small sanctuary consecrated to the Virgen Morena (Dark-Skinned Virgin), located in the main plaza.
📍 Sayulita
December 11
Bahía de Banderas Anniversary
The municipality of Bahia de Banderas, the cradle of the Riviera Nayarit, is celebrating the 28th anniversary of its creation this year. The Nayarit State Congress approved the Decree on December 11, 1989, thus creating the county as jurisdiction 20 in the State of Nayarit. To celebrate the event there will be music shows, and civic and sporting events at the county seat, Valle de Banderas.
📍 Valle de Bandera
December 31
Festival “Lights in the Bay”
Spectacular festival celebrating the end of the year with its fireworks show: “Lights in the Bay”, enjoyed by more than 25 thousand tourists from the beach of Guayabitos, Los Ayala and La Peñita.
📍 Bahía de Jaltemba – Rincón de Guayabitos / Peñita de Jaltemba
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TBD
Chili Cook Off & Taste of Nuevo Vallarta
Marina Nuevo Vallarta’s boardwalk (malecón) will host the 7th Taste of Nuevo Vallarta and the 19th Chili Cook-off, organized by the Vallarta Yacht Club. Same as every year there will be superb tasting plates offered by participating restaurants as well as extraordinary chili cooked by professionals and amateurs.
📍 Nuevo Vallarta
➤ More Information
TBD
VIII Riviera Nayarit Polo Cup
Experience the passionate Sport of Kings in Mexico’s Pacific Treasure. The equestrian competition welcomes some of the top international players; there will also be art exhibits, music, fashion and culinary events.
📍 San Pancho
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TBD
15° Sinergiarte Festival
The aim is for the multicultural content it presents to express the responsibility both humans and the community at large have during this very profound transformation that’s taking place in our times. There will be exhibitions and workshops for dance, theater, music, literature, performance, photography, video, multimedia, painting, sculpture, martial arts, sports and other disciplines.
📍 San Pancho
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TBD
Baja Ha Ha / Sailor Splash
A nautical rally, between 120 and 150 boats will be arriving at the Marina Riviera Nayarit in La Cruz de Huanacaxtle for this impressive show of sails.
📍 La Cruz de Huanacaxtle
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