Cabo San Lucas Events and Festivals

(Cabo San Lucas, Baja California Sur, Mexico)

Cabo San Lucas is a city where many annual festivals are celebrated year after year, with endless things to do and enjoy. Amongst the main annual events and festivals, which take place in the Cabo San Lucas area are its fishing tournaments in October and November, such as the Los Cabos Billfish Tournament, the Bisbee's Black and Blue Marlin Tournament, the Cabo Tuna Jackpot and the legendary Gold Cup.

One of the most significant local celebrations in Cabo San Lucas is the Dia de San Lucas, which is held on October 18th and honours the local patron saint. A calendar of events and festivals within Cabo San Lucas is shown here.

Cabo San Lucas Calendar of Festivals and Events 2014 / 2015

January

• Ano Nuevo (New Year's Day) - January 1st, a national holiday throughout Mexico

February

• Art Festival at Todos Santos - early February, many new exhibits are on display at the art galleries around the nearby city of Todos Santos, on the northern side of Cabo San Lucas. This event includes large gatherings, with people partying well into the night

March

• Festival of San Jose - throughout March, celebrations start at the beginning of March and include carnivals and various colourful processions, honouring Saint Joseph, the patrol saint of the city
• Benito Juárez's Birthday - March 21st, the birthday of a former president is celebrated in style, with street entertainment, food stalls, live music and many community parties throughout downtown Cabo San Lucas

April

• Semana Santa - early April, various celebrations lead up to Easter and include religious parades in the afternoon, watched by large crowds
• Easter Festival - early April, one of Mexico's largest events and within Cabo San Lucas, the heart of the action is centred at various venues around the downtown district, including music, dancing, eggs stuffed with confetti and a religious parade. Services are held at the historic Iglesia de San Lucas church

May

• Cinco de Mayo - May 5th, a notable Mexican event remembering the victorious 1862 Battle of Puebla. Prepare to party until the early hours of the morning
• Rolex International Game Fish Association Championship - mid-May, qualifying teams of keen anglers compete to land large tuna fish, marlin and billfish, trying to win the illusive Rolex watch. This event is based around the marina area

June

• Bacs Billfish Invitational Tournament - throughout June, a major fishing tournament based around Medano Beach and the marina, with fishing crews competing for the best catch
• Stars and Stripes Fishing Tournament - mid-June, a charity fishing event lasting three days and also including various other festivities, such as parasailing

July

• Surf and Panga Roosterfish Klassic Tournament - early July, keen anglers try to land the biggest fish, and in particular, the biggest roosterfish
• Festival of St. James - late July, a Roman Catholic festival, celebrating St. James the Apostle and featuring white horses with costumed riders, along with various re-enactments around the town square in the heart of downtown Cabo San Lucas
• Fiesta of the Virgin of Carmen - mid-July, celebrations take place throughout Mexico and in Cabo San Lucas, various street traders take to the streets to sell their handicrafts. Other events during the Fiesta of the Virgin of Carmen include a fishing competition and bullfights, which are staged at the imposing Toros Stadium

August

• Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary - mid-August, known for its endless food, carnival parades and partying
• Los Cabos Summer Dive Fiesta - throughout August, various activities take place around the coastline and appeal to scuba divers of varying abilities. Many of the best events take place as evening approaches and include beach parties and many other gatherings, especially around the Cabo Pulmo National Marine Park

September

• Sea Turtle Rescue - throughout September, many people head to the northern outskirts of Cabo San Lucas at this time of the year, where enormous numbers of sea turtles come to nest on the sandy beaches
• Independence Day - September 16th, the country's Independence Day is also cause for celebration on a grand scale and in Cabo San Lucas. Festivities include colourful processions, carnival floats, market traders, bullfights and even a rodeo

October

• Whale Migration - October to April, during the warm winter months it is possible to watch a number of huge whales, as they migrate and pass the bay. If you are lucky, you may be able to spot humpback, blue, grey and sperm whales. Whale watching cruises are a good way to get the best views and readily available all around the coastline of Cabo San Lucas
• Los Cabos Billfish Tournament - mid-October, teams of championship fishermen try to catch the biggest billfish around and compete for huge prize money
• Gold Cup Sportfishing Tournament - mid-October, another major fishing competition with big prizes for the best catch
• Festival del Pilar - mid-October, lasting around one week, large numbers of street vendors gather around Todos Santos. Other highlights include live music, dancing and a carnival atmosphere
• Fiesta de Cabo San Lucas (Dia de San Lucas) - October 18th, street parades, open-air concerts, food stalls and street vendors gather around downtown Cabo San Lucas and the Marina Boulevard
• Bisbee's Black and Blue Marlin Tournament - late October, one of Mexico's biggest and most prestigious fishing competitions, with expensive entry fees and prize money of more than one million dollars

November

• Day of the Dead / Day of the Saints - early November, a time for celebration, as loved ones are remembered and costumed parades draw large crowds
• Los Cabos Tuna Jackpot Tournament - early November, expect to see some enormous tuna fish in this competitive competition, when the catches are weighed at the Marina Cabo San Lucas
• Festival of the Mexican Revolution - mid-November, various festivities remember this historic event, which took place around 100 years ago. Bullfights, rodeos, fireworks and music are amongst the highlights

December

• Cabo Jazz Escape - throughout December, lasting three days, this popular event includes an array of live jazz music, based around Sunset Beach and culminating in a magnificent fireworks display
• Traditional Christmas Festival - mid-December, a colourful seasonal afternoon parade takes place along the Avenida Zaragoza in the San José del Cabo area. Look out for marching bands, nativity scenes and endless street entertainment