Puerto Vallarta’s Anniversary: 107 Years as A Window of Mexican Culture to the World

“Here, everything happens at once: 

dances that light up the main square,

Mariachis that make your heart sing,

colors move to the rhythm of traditions,

adrenaline-pumping sporting events,

and fiestas where our culture blooms 

like the bougainvillea in the sun...”

Puerto Vallarta celebrates its 107th anniversary as a municipality and 57th as a city on Saturday, May 31, 2025.

The "Friendliest City in the World" is renowned not only for its celebrated natural attractions of sun, sea, and mountains, but also for representing a window to the finest of Mexico to the entire world.

On May 31, 1918, the Congress of the State of Jalisco passed a decree that elevated the then-precinct of Las Peñas to the category of municipality, changing its name to Puerto Vallarta.  The destination was given the name City of Puerto Vallarta once it had great infrastructure and air and land connections, fifty years later.

To honor these landmark occasions, the 2025 Puerto Vallarta double anniversary celebration will span ten days, culminating in a grand commemoration on Saturday, May 31st.  On that day, a series of complimentary events will take place at notable venues such as the Los Arcos del Malecon amphitheater, the main square, and the Malecon lighthouse esplanade.

Puerto Vallarta's double anniversary will feature a variety of exceptional cultural and entertainment activities. Please note that all of them are free and open to the general public.

• Date: Friday May 23, Saturday May 24, Sunday May 25 
• Hours: 7:00pm
• Event: “Memories of Water” A Poetry Recital
• Description: A music and literary recital in Spanish with the participation of Mexican poet and storyteller Alexander Tadeuz, who was awarded the State Prize for Short Stories, Poetry and Young Literary Essay (IGC) in 2019.
• Locations: City Hall, Lázaro Cárdenas Park and Los Arcos del Malecon Amphitheater
• Free Admission

• Date: Thursday, May 29 
• Hours: 11:00am
• Event: Opening: “Puerto Vallarta from the Heart”
• Description: A showcase of monumental hearts, each one embellished by local artists, celebrates the unique identity of Puerto Vallarta.
• Location: Main Square
• Free Admission

• Date: Thursday, May 29 
• Hours: 7:00pm
• Event: Performance: Youth Members of the Utah Orchestra, USA
• Description: A one-of-a-kind musical experience that's bursting with talent and youthful energy.
• Location: Teatro Vallarta Theater 
• Free Admission

• Date: May 30 
• Hours: 6:00pm
• Event: Photographic Exhibit "Fragments of Salt: Reimagining a City in Time."
• Description: Cecilia Fernandez's work offers a perspective on the continuous evolution of Puerto Vallarta, seen through the lenses of territory, memory, and possibility.
• Location: Galería Omar Alonso (249 Leona Vicario, Downtown)
• Free Admission

• Date: May, 31st, Puerto Vallarta’s Double Anniversary 
  • 8:00 am — Mexico’s Flag Raising | Main Square
  • 3:00 pm — V Military Region Band feat. Xiutla Ballet | Malecon 
  • 4:00 pm — Solemn City Council Session | Los Arcos del Malecon Amphitheater
  • 5:00 pm — “Guerreros Águilas” Free-Fall Parachute Team Exhibition | Malecon 
  • 5:08 pm — “Águilas Aztecas” Acrobatic Squadron Air Show | The SeaHorse Sculpture
  • 5:45 pm — Mexico’s National Anthem | Malecon
  • 6:00 pm — Grand Anniversary Cake | Malecon
  • 6:00 pm — Piano Performance by Diego Meza | Malecon Lighthouse Esplanade
  • 6:30 pm — Puerto Vallarta School Orchestra | Malecon Lighthouse Esplanade
  • 7:30 pm — Youth Members of the Utah Orchestra, USA | Malecon Lighthouse Esplanade
  • 8:30 pm — LaToya London (Pop, R&B) | Malecon Lighthouse Esplanade
  • 9:30 pm — Reno, Reno, Reno & Los Cumbia Friends (Reggae) | Malecon Lighthouse Esplanade
  • 10:30 pm — Evelin Guerra (Regional Mexicano) | Malecon Lighthouse Esplanade
  • 12:00 am — Stellar Headline Performance (Surprise Act) | Malecon Lighthouse Esplanade

2025 FIESTAS DE MAYO PUERTO VALLARTA FESTIVAL

The Fiestas de Mayo Puerto Vallarta Festival is returning in 2025 with a wide variety of attractions for the whole family.  These include carnival rides, a handicrafts expo, sporting events, and a culinary expo with typical Mexican dishes.

The highlight of the 2025 Fiestas de Mayo Puerto Vallarta Festival is, without a doubt, considered to be the live music program that will feature the most popular acts of the Regional Mexicano genre.  The festival is poised to pack the house with the live performances of Mi Banda El Mexicano (Thursday, May 22, 8:00pm) and Grupo Firme (Friday, May 30, 8:00pm.)

The 2025 Fiestas de Mayo Puerto Vallarta Festival will take place from Friday, May 16 to Sunday, June 1.  The Explanada Vallarta Arena, which is located very close to the Puerto Vallarta International Convention Center, will host the event for the fourth year in a row. 

OTHER FEATURED EVENTS IN PUERTO VALLARTA

The anniversary of Puerto Vallarta is the ideal opportunity to attend other great annual events hosted in the Friendliest City in the World.  Here are some of the best things to do in Puerto Vallarta in May, based on what you like to do when you travel:

Restaurant Week by Vallarta Lifestyles

A special three-course menu is offered at fixed prices of 495 MXN, 575 MXN, or 690 MXN Peso per person at over 50 restaurants in the Puerto Vallarta area. From May 15 to June 10.

Vallarta Pride

The hottest pride celebration in Mexico is to be held from May 17 to 25. "Revolution: Future Has No Gender" is the slogan of the twelfth annual edition of Vallarta Pride.

Mexican Beach Volleyball Championship 2025

The fifth annual edition of the Mexican Beach Volleyball Championship will take place from May 30 to June 1 at Playa del Holi Beach in the north Hotel Zone of Puerto Vallarta. The event will feature Mexico's up-and-coming stars in the sport.

Sabor a Vallarta Festival

This food festival celebrates the diversity of flavors that make Puerto Vallarta an internationally recognized destination for its culinary richness.  Sabor a Vallarta Fest will take place on Saturday, May 31st, at the esplanade of Puerto de Luna Hotel (next to Food Park.)

Thanks to its amazing natural, cultural, historical and culinary attractions, Puerto Vallarta is one of the most popular beach destinations in Mexico and the globe.  The essence of Mexico is embodied in its cultural symbols, which include tequila, mariachi, and charro culture.  These cultural elements, recognized by UNESCO as part of the Cultural Heritage of Humanity, are deeply ingrained in the city’s identity.