Events are a wonderful way to immerse yourself in, and learn about, the Mexican culture. Here is a list of upcoming holidays, festivals, events, and activities worth planning around. Also check out our Community Calendar for a complete list of what's going on in the Jaltemba Bay area. If you have information about an event, please email us so we can include it in our next issue. And don't forget to add your event... it's FREE! 

This Week

November 10-20

XVII Festival Gourmet 

Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit 

During this 10-day festival, 29 restaurants from Puerto Vallarta to San Blas and Tepic will participate in the prestigious International Gourmet Festival. For more information, visit the Festival Gourmet website.

November 15

Grand Opening of The PEACE Boutique

Old Town Vallarta 

The new PEACE Boutique will feature recycled hand-made items by artisans throughout Mexico. The shop will also sell PEACE Home Tour tickets and PEACE Discount Cards. The new shop is located at Lazaro Cardenas #231 in Plaza Romy, Old Town Vallarta. Sales will directly benefit local artisans and provide essential funding for PEACE to continue other community programs. For more information, visit The PEACE Boutique.  

November 16 

Manuel & Friends Play at Las Brisas Restaurant 

On the Beach in La Penita   

November 16-19 

JBAR Free Spay & Neuter Clinic

Circuito Libertad #7, La Penita   

This is the second clinic of the season and it is sure to be a very busy clinic as Dr. Malcolm Macartney and the Canadian vet team are once again flying in to help. If you would like to volunteer your time, provide lunch or dinner, make a donation, bring an animal in to be sterilized or learn more about JBAR and these clinics, visit the Jaltemba Bay Animal Rescue (JBAR) community webpage.    

November 18  

Casa Cooking Classes Begin

Guayabitos    

November 20  

Día de la Revolución (Mexican Revolution Day)** 

• 8am-1pm: Parade in La Penita.
• 7pm: Celebration in the Plaza in Los Ayala with a traditional Mexican dinner (available for purchase), dance featuring children of Los Ayala and fireworks.  
• Plus, there will be Banda in the Plaza in La Penita in the evening.   

Next Week 

November 22 - March 27 

PEACE Home Tours 

Old Town Vallarta 

Every Tuesday, visitors can explore traditional-style Vallarta casas to graceful haciendas and multi-million dollar ocean-front villas. The 3-hour tour ends at a small, family-owned restaurant where tour-goers can attempt to make tortillas with the owner's 88-year-old mother. Tickets are $35 USD and all proceeds support PEACE projects. For more information, visit the PEACE Home Tour PV website. 

November 26 - December 4  

25th Guadalajara International Book Fair 

Exhibition Center, Expo Guadalajara    

The Guadalajara International Book Fair is the most important publishing gathering in Ibero-America. It is also an amazing cultural festival. Created 25 years ago by the University of Guadalajara, the Fair is aimed at professionals and the general public alike, a characteristic that sets it apart from other book fairs around the globe. With business as one of its main goals, it is also a cultural festival in which literature plays a major role including a program where authors from all continents and languages participate, and a forum for the academic discussion of the major issues of our time. For more information, visit http://www.fil.com.mx  

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Special Events for 2011-12

Click here (or on the left sidebar) to view a list of upcoming Fundraising, Charity and Special Events, as well as information on how you can participate and/or help.  

* Indicates possible non-working holidays.

** Indicates Nationwide holidays -- Schools, banks, post offices, and other public government offices are closed during these Mexican National Holidays. Often times these and other major holidays include the nearest Monday to create a 3-day weekend.

Ongoing

Mondays: 

Los Amigos de Jaltemba

(Starting Nov. 28)  Los Amigos meets the second and fourth Mondays of each month at Restaurante La Palapa de Guty (Circuito Libertad #4) in La Peñita. There is a social gathering at 6:30pm followed by the formal meeting at 7pm.  More Info >  

Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays:

Guayabitos Yoga

(Now - March 30)  Work on strength, flexibility, core power and balance during these outdoor yoga classes. Classes start at 7:30am (9am class will be added in January).  More Info >

Wednesdays:

Rotary Club Jaltemba Bay

(Year-Round)  Rotary Club meets every Wednesday morning at 7:30am at Piña Colada Restaurant in Guayabitos.  More Info >

Thursdays:

Tianguis in La Peñita

(Year-Round)  The Tianguis (open-air market) is held every Thursday from 8am-1pm or so around the Plaza in La Peñita (map). It is "the" place to shop for silver and handmade jewelry, tablecloths and linens, glassware, Talavera pottery, Huichol Indian artwork and Oaxacan rugs. You will also find fresh fruits and veggies, homemade breads and locally-produced honey and coffee. This is one of the largest and most well-known markets in the area. While the Tianguis continues year-round, many of the artisans do not participate during the summer months. 

Fridays:

Casa Cooking Classes

(Nov. 18 - March 23)  Each class focuses on a traditional Mexican meal using the freshest local foods with information on ingredients, utensils and techniques. Classes are Fridays at 2pm in Guayabitos. Registration starts now!  More Info >

Saturdays-Sundays:

Breakfast at Tiffany's 

(Now - April 21-22)  Enjoy brunch on the back terrace at El Panorama Hotel in La Peñita every weekend from 8am-noon. 10% of the proceeds go to Jaltemba Bay Animal Rescue (JBAR). Reservations are required.  More Info > 

You can view a full list of events and activities on the  

Community Calendar.