What are the holidays of Puerto Vallarta?

Puerto Vallarta and Mexico in general, has lots of holidays. In the Puerto Vallarta area, Christmas holiday is from December 24th to 28th. People here in Puerto Vallarta are more religious so we celebrate Christmas to commemorate the birth of Christ, while the way Americans celebrate Christmas is mostly by giving presents, Mexicans see it more of a religious event. You would see people walking long distances to the church during Christmas. They could walk from Sayulita to Puerto Vallarta,...

Puerto Vallarta and Mexico in general, has lots of holidays. In the Puerto Vallarta area, Christmas holiday is from December 24th to 28th. People here in Puerto Vallarta are more religious so we celebrate Christmas to commemorate the birth of Christ, while the way Americans celebrate Christmas is mostly by giving presents, Mexicans see it more of a religious event. You would see people walking long distances to the church during Christmas. They could walk from Sayulita to Puerto Vallarta, which is about an hour and a half by car. 

 

The next holiday is January 1st, which is New Year’s, and when we don’t work. In Puerto Vallarta, they usually have a fireworks display from the 29th up until New Year’s Eve. There is a designated area where they do that. In Sayulita, people use sparklers and fireworks on New Year’s Eve. On January 1st people usually go to Wal-Mart to shop or to the beach and go drinking. You will see a lot of locals walking around during January 1st since it is a non-working holiday.

 

 

 

The next holiday is January 6th, which is Los Tres Reyes Magos (Three Kings’ Day). It is a holiday to commemorate the three wise men who came to visit Jesus and give him presents.

 

The next holiday is February 12th. It is like a hangover of January and is celebrated with tamales and atoles, which a traditional Mexican drink. During January 6th, they have a big bread with a round side, and if you find a big dough, you are obligated to do certain things February 12 . 

 

The next holiday is February 14th, Friendship Day, which is the same thing as Valentine’s Day in the US. It is celebrated the same way, too. We give presents like flowers, chocolates, and big teddy bears to our loved ones.

 

February 24th is National Flag Day. Then we have Semana Santa, or Easter Week. It can happen anywhere between March and April and is celebrated for an entire week. People do not eat meat during Easter as it is supposed to be a Holy Week. People also take vacation during Semana Santa. 

 

We have Mother’s Day, which is May 10th. Then we have National Independence Day on September 15th. We celebrate Independence Day with a lot of fireworks everywhere. That’s the last holiday before Christmas.  

 

(Christmas celebrated in a Puerto Vallarta neighborhood with a procession of the Holy Family from house to house, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, pictured.)