Blog | Wednesday, July 20, 2022
9 Annual Events and Festivals to Plan Your Cabo Vacay Around
While planning a trip to Cabo, you’ll find a wealth of must-see attractions, tours, and beaches to add to your trip itinerary. The sun-soaked peninsula is naturally ripe with adventure. But it also has its share of annual events and festivals.
From fishing, food, and film to tennis, music, and more, Cabo’s calendar is full of events and festivals that every traveler should know about. Here’s a look at nine of the hottest happenings in Cabo that should be on your trip radar.
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1. Los Cabos International Film Festival
Are you a film buff? If so, you should experience the magic of the annual Los Cabos International Film Festival, which draws the who’s who of the national and international film industry.
A glittering assemblage of actors, producers, and directors from around the globe gather at this event–one that has placed Cabo center stage as an in-demand locale for international showbiz festivals.
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2. Los Cabos ATP Tennis Open
Get your tennis rackets ready! This annual tennis tournament takes place in August. Since 2016, top professional players and fans alike have flocked to the courts of Cabo del Mar Village.
Cruise over on your yacht or chartered boat from Marina Village to take in any of the six days of the tournament. The ATP Open is played across eight courts in a sizable stadium that seats 3,500 spectators.
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3. San José Jazz Weekend Festival
Jazz lovers rejoice! This popular event, held in May, showcases the talents of local, national, and international jazz artists at Plaza Pescador.
Visitors and locals alike (approximately five thousand attendees annually) enjoy the sounds of live jazz music in a festive, family-friendly atmosphere.
The festival’s location is ideal for concertgoers looking to shop, dine, and explore the surrounding spots in the bustling plaza.
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4. Gastrovino Baja Food & Wine Festival
Foodie fanatics and wine connoisseurs come to sip and sample the finest fare and drinks Cabo has to offer in Todos Santos. A world-class wine-ing and dining experience awaits during an unforgettable three-day event, held annually in April.
Visitors listen to live music and learn from master Mexican winemakers as they tell their stories. Top chefs and restaurateurs bring out their best in show, dazzling attendees with dishes designed to delight the palate.
Attendees also take part in the festival by voting on their favorite wines and bubbly across a range of categories.
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5. New Year’s Eve Fireworks Médano Beach
Shake up your usual New Year’s Eve routine by spending it underneath the stars in Cabo. Costa Palmas is conveniently nestled right next to Cabo, so you can spend the day swimming, snorkeling, fishing, or kitesurfing in the sunshine before making a quick trip over to Cabo’s Médano Beach. The gorgeous beach makes a picture-perfect backdrop for bringing in the new year in style.
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6. Los Cabos Open of Surf
What’s a better beach vacation combination than music and surfing? Summer’s Los Cabos Open of Surf festival is the largest music and surfing festival in the history of Mexico and Latin America. The action-packed event takes place yearly at renowned Zippers Beach Break, located along Costa Azul.
It is a highly-anticipated, invitation-only event that spotlights the world’s best surfers’ free surfing skills on foam surfboards. Come join the fun and celebrate carefree surfing culture while you escape the trappings of everyday life in Cabo.
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7. East Cape Bisbee Fishing Tournaments
If you can tear yourself away from the two-mile stretch of pristine beaches at Costa Palmas, Cabo is well-known as one of the most exciting spots for fishing in the world. Did you know that the sparkling Sea of Cortez is home to some of the biggest billfish in the world?
Each year, August marks the first of three billfishing tournaments (the other two are in October), drawing anglers from all across the globe to the East Cape. Competitors go head-to-head to showcase their skills, vying for sizable cash prizes–and plenty of bragging rights.
June’s annual Pelagic Triple Crown of Fishing Summer Slam offers competitors a chance to win cash prizes totaling over $500K across four categories–billfish, tuna, dorado, and wahoo.
Bisbee’s Black and Blue Marlin Tournament dates back to 1981, and is known globally as the “World’s Richest Tournament” because the annual prizes are worth multiple millions. Hop aboard a boat–your own or chartered–and cruise on over for any one of these action-packed, high-stakes fishing competitions.
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8. Day of the Dead Festival
November marks the national holiday “Day of the Dead,” celebrated across the country. In Cabo, the festival honors dearly departed Mexican ancestors with elaborately decorated altars.
The altars are designed and decorated by family members/loved ones with offerings of brightly colored candles, and flowers. They are put on display for all to see (and vote on) in the main square of Cabo San Lucas, called Plaza Amelia Wilkes.
When you’re done golfing and hitting the spa at Costa Palmas, cruise on over for a dose of Mexican culture to see which altar takes first prize.
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9. San José del Cabo Art Walk
Spend the morning swimming, working out in a state-of-the-art facility, or grabbing a delicious meal at the Costa Palmas Beach & Yacht Club. Then head to nearby San José for the San José del Cabo Art Walk. Every Thursday evening, from November through June, art enthusiasts stroll the charming cobblestone streets of San José sipping wine and admiring works of art on display from the local galleries.
Attendees can hobnob and chat with many artists and gallery owners themselves to gain a deeper appreciation for visual art. Once they’ve wrapped up their art walk and talk, guests can soak up the scenery while shopping. All while sampling world-class cuisine from any one of the city’s amazing restaurants.
Other nearby attractions include City Hall, distinctive due to its large clock tower and colorful interior murals depicting Mexico’s rich history. There is also Plaza Mujeres, the town square, which is brimming with new spots to explore around every corner.
Want to learn about more festivals and activities in and around Cabo? Check out our Family Guide to Visiting Los Cabos for a look at local attractions, luxury accommodations, and restaurant suggestions.
