Kick off 2026 toasting by the Pacific, tasting fine spirits, or sailing alongside whales! Discover our curated selection of spots in Puerto Vallarta and Riviera Nayarit to celebrate New Year’s Eve, as well as the unmissable events that will define the month of January.

Where to welcome 2026?

Banderas Bay offers a celebration for every style of traveler, from massive parties under the stars to intimate dinners. Here is where you need to be when the clock strikes twelve.

Beachfront party in Puerto Vallarta

If you want to dance until dawn with international DJs and spectacular production:

• Majahuitas: Accessible only by boat, this hidden paradise on the south shore is renowned for its lineup of international DJs, laser lights set amid the jungle, and its mystical, exclusive vibe.
• Mantamar Beach Club: The epicenter of the LGBTQ+ celebration in the Romantic Zone. Its New Year’s Eve party is legendary, featuring fireworks, a pool, and an unmatched international atmosphere.
• Malecón club circuit: The heart of nightlife in Vallarta. Here you’ll find spots like Mandala or La Vaquita, offering an experience with terraces open to the sea—ideal for a front-row view of the midnight fireworks show.

Gastronomy with a view of Riviera Nayarit

For those who prefer a sophisticated evening where gastronomy takes center stage, these beach clubs in Riviera Nayarit are ideal:

• Mozzamare: In Nuevo Nayarit, this beach club offers a refined experience with multi-course dinners and private fireworks, away from the crowds yet with all the festive atmosphere.
• Baklava: With two locations in Bucerías and another in Sayulita, these restaurants offer Mediterranean-flavored dishes right by the sea. To welcome 2026, a 4-course menu, a selection of wines and cocktails, a welcome kit, live music, and a front-row seat to the Bucerías fireworks show await you.
• La Rústica Mita: If you prefer welcoming the year in a more intimate seaside spot with a surfer vibe, La Rústica in Punta Mita is the perfect place. Get ready for a three-course dinner accompanied by house and nu-disco music while enjoying views of the entire Banderas Bay.
• Tierra Tropical: For those in San Pancho, this beach club is the perfect option to celebrate with a boho-chic vibe. Start 2026 surrounded by nature, authentic flavors, and the unique charm of this small town that attracts surfers year-round.

January 2026 agenda: Tradition, culture, and sports

Once the New Year’s festivities are over, the destination doesn’t rest. January kicks off with world-class sporting events and local traditions.

• Bucerías Patron Saint Festival

When: January 16 to 24, 2026.
Why go: It is one of the most deeply rooted religious celebrations in Bucerías. For a week, the main plaza fills with music, dance, and gastronomy.
The must-see: The Maritime Pilgrimage takes place on Saturday, January 24th. Dozens of fishermen adorn their boats with flowers and religious motifs to sail from La Cruz de Huanacaxtle to Bucerías and receive the blessing of the fleet.

• Vallarta Cup Race Series

When: Weekends in January (Saturdays 10, 11, 17, and 18).
Where: Vallarta Yacht Club, Nuevo Nayarit.
What is it: The official start of the regatta season in Banderas Bay. You don’t need to be a sailor to enjoy it; just looking at the horizon from the beach is enough to see dozens of white sails competing against the wind.

• Nuevo Vallarta Tour (Poker)

When: January 19 to 26, 2026.
Where: Incanto Casino.
The event: A major tournament celebrating its tenth anniversary, attracting players from around the world and generating a great nightlife atmosphere in the Nuevo Nayarit area.

• Circo Agave 2026

When: January 31 and February 1.
Where: Marina Riviera Nayarit.
The event: A fun celebration of agave culture featuring music, circus acts, gastronomy, tastings, and mixology. Don’t miss this unique festival, which brings together national producers of mezcal, tequila, and raicilla offering tastings. Plus, this year features Los Amigos Invisibles and Porter as the headlining bands.

• Whale Watching Season

When: All month
Statistically, January is one of the best months for spotting humpback whales. During these dates, it is common to see newborn calves learning to breach alongside their mothers in the bay’s warm waters.

Local Life: Art Walks and Weekly Markets

You can’t leave without experiencing the essence of the destination through its markets and art walks, which are in full swing during January:

• Bucerías Art Walk: Every Thursday evening. The galleries in the Golden Zone open their doors with cocktails and artist talks.
• Puerto Vallarta Art Walk: Wednesday evenings in the Historic Center. A classic tour through Vallarta’s galleries exhibiting sculptures, paintings, and fine jewelry.
• La Cruz Market: Sundays, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., at Marina Riviera Nayarit. Wander through this charming seaside market, hosting around 170 vendors of artisanal and local products. Find clothing, ceramics, organic foods, jewelry, spirits, live music, and more.
• Sayulita Farmers Market (Mercado del Pueblo): Fridays, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., on Calle Revolución. Perfect for buying organic products and local design before the weekend crowds arrive.
• Marina Vallarta Art Market: Thursdays, from 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. A night stroll along the Marina boardwalk, where a wide gastronomic offer mixes with live music, clothing, and handicrafts under the stars.

Tell us, which of these events will you be attending?