Puerto Vallarta Information & Events
The bakeries Charme, Los Chatos, Integral and Don Chonito will be sharing their traditional Pan de Muerto and will be offering a brief overview of the history of each of their recipes in an atmosphere of celebration and tradition.
Tuesday, November 1 from 7 pm to 11:30 pm at the Los Muertos pier (on Calle Francisca Rodríguez in Colonia Olas Altas)
There will be an altar of the dead and the entire block up from the beach will be traditionally decorated for this party.
The City of Puerto Vallarta, along with the deputy director of Culture, the head of municipal markets, the Institute of Youth Vallarta and Vallarta Hotels Centro, will host a display of traditional Dia de Los Muertos altars, a Catrina Contest, pan de muerto tastings, and many other activities promoting this seasonal Mexican tradition.
The results of the Catrina Contest will be displayed all along the street. These catrinas are between 1.65 and 2 meters in height and will be constructed of traditional materials.
Day of the Dead celebrations represent a mixture of pre-Hispanic customs and beliefs. According to ancient history, when a person dies their spirit lives on in Mictlan, a place where they rest peacefully until the day Day of the Dead, when they return to their former homes to visit their relatives.
The ritual calendar includes two arrivals of the dead. On November 1st, known as Holy Innocents’ Day, or All Saints Day, the dead children come to be baptized, and on November 2 all of the dead are honored.
At 7 pm on November 2nd, Calle Agustín Rodríguez – next to the municipal market, will be closed to traffic so all can come and enjoy festivities which will include an exhibit of Catrinas, Mariachi music, the Xuitla folkloric ballet, jineteo riding, charros, raffles, crafts and regional cuisine and fireworks.
There will be skull painting contests for children. At 8 pm the Caravan of Joy (cultural walk) will begin at the Hotel Rosita and proceed down the Malecon.
The public is also invited to come to the Presidencia to enjoy viewing of Day of the Dead altars and poems written by the locals. Traditional altars will also be on display at various hotel lobbies around the city.
From Sunday, October 23 to November 2, view the exhibits of many Capula artists, including, Antiguo Xenguaro, with his large exhibition of skeletons and artist Juan Torres with his catrinas of inspiration.
Capula, in Michoacan, high in the mountains around Lake Patzcuaro, is AN artistic center for Dia de Muertos. 2011 is the premier of Feria Artesanal de la Catrina, The Calacas of Capula 2011. This pueblo, halfway between Morelai and Patzcuaro, has long been known for its Day of the Dead Catrinas. The first annual Catrina Festival opened Sunday, October 23, and will remain open through Dia de Muertos, until November 2, 2011.
MORE INFORMATION: http://www.lakepatzcuaro.org/Capula.html
FIESTAS PATRIAS DE PUERTO VALLARTA!
DOMINGO 4: 20:00hrs Presentación de las candidatas a reina de las fiestas patrias de Puerto Vallarta 2011. En el patio del Palacio Municipal.
DOMINGO 11: 19:00 hrs. Certamen y Coronación de la reina de las fiestas patrias de Puerto Vallarta 2011. En el patio del Palacio Municipal.
MARTES 13:
MIERCOLES 14: 11:00 hrs. Dia Nacional de la Charreria. Desfile de la Union de Asociación de charros de Puerto Vallarta, desde el balcón principal, que se colocará en el lado de la calle Juárez del Palacio Municipal.
JUEVES 15: Aniversario Del Grito De Independencia
VIERNES 16: Holiday
Every Sunday evening dance to traditional live music in the Presidencia Square (Plaza de Armas). Everyone is invited and dance instructions are available. Free and fun.