Before the summer parade of fishing tournaments and fruit festivals begins, spring flowers for a final month in Los Cabos, 
showcasing its signature blend of food, wine, art and fashionable late-night fiestas.
The annual White Party at the ME Cabo resort on Medano Beach is perhaps the most eagerly awaited May event in Los Cabos, one whose popularity dates back to the pre-Hurricane Odile days of the Nikki Beach Club. Each year around Memorial Day weekend, ME Cabo’s onsite nightclub – now Blue Marlin Ibiza, formerly Nikki Beach – hosts an elegant all-white soiree that features world-class DJs, VIP bottle service, exotically clad dancers, and a massive midnight fireworks show.
This may come as a surprise to some visitors, who expect Cinco de Mayo – the anniversary of the victory of Mexican forces over the French at the Battle of Puebla in 1862 – to be the ultimate springtime fiesta. Cinco de Mayo was actually popularized in the U.S. and is not celebrated to any significant extent in Los Cabos. Local bars may offer some Cinco de Mayo margarita specials, but that’s about it.
No need to worry, though. The month of May brings plenty of other notable holidays and events.
San José del Cabo Art Walk (May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31)
The historic Distrito del Arte in San Jose del Cabo takes center stage each Thursday evening during high tourist season – November through June – when residents and visitors alike are invited to stroll its cobblestone streets and peruse the many eclectic fine arts galleries. Art Walk hours are 5 to 9 p.m, when the neighborhood comes alive with wine, cheese and guided tours, as well as colorful street artists and strolling mariachis. A chance to check out San Jose’s recent downtown makeover is another reason to make the Thursday night pilgrimage.
483rd La Paz Foundation Festival (May 3 – 5)
Although the first European to set foot on the Baja California peninsula was mutineer Fortun Ximenez – who arrived with ill-tempered crew sometime in late 1533 – the residents of La Paz celebrate the day his superior, conquistador par excellence Hernan Cortes, came ashore a year and a half later. That date, May 3, 1535 has been enshrined as the official foundation of La Paz, even though Cortes himself called the place Santa Cruz. This anniversary is remembered with an annual festival in Baja California Sur’s capital city featuring activities and concerts, as well as a traditional reenactment of the first landing of the Spaniards.
El Día de la Madre (May 10)
As in other countries, Mother’s Day in Mexico is an occasion to celebrate moms for all they do; showering them with candy, flowers and other gifts. Many area restaurants offer special menus for Mother’s Day, and local children often put on mom-themed shows at schools and cultural pavilions. The main difference between Mother’s Day in the U.S. and México is the date. In the U.S., mothers are honored on the second Sunday in May. In México, the date remains the same each year: May 10th.
Gastrovino Food & Wine Festival (May 19 – 20)
Attention gourmands and oenophiles: outside perhaps the annual Sabor a Cabo shindig in Los Cabos, Gastrovino is the best food and wine festival in Baja California Sur. Held each April or May in the state’s only pueblo magico, Todos Santos, Gastrovino is organized by the owners of a local wine and olive oil shop called La Bodega de Todos Santos and features a weekend chockablock with tantalizing tasting opportunities. The pairing dinner at legendary Hotel California is one of many recurring highlights, but the “Big Cheese,” so to speak, is the Sunday main event on the town square. There, dozens of wineries from Baja’s Valle de Guadalupe share their palate-pleasing wares, as do many of the region’s best restaurants. Live music is also a staple, as is a silent auction to benefit local programs for children.
White Party at ME Cabo/Blue Marlin Ibiza (May 26)
For many years, the highlight of the social season was the fabulous White Party thrown each May by Nikki Beach Club at the ME Cabo Hotel on Médano Beach. Nikki Beach never reopened following Hurricane Odile in 2014, and ME Cabo itself was slow to recover, needing 18 months of repairs and renovations before it welcomed guests again in March 2016. Luckily for local party goers Blue Marlin Ibiza, the club that ultimately replaced Nikki Beach, has taken over the tradition and returned the White Party to its former glory. Internationally acclaimed DJ Roger Sanchez rocked the house in 2017, headlining a hedonistic celebration that included the event’s signature midnight fireworks display over Médano Beach. The 2018 White Party, scheduled for May 26th, is expected to be bigger and better than ever, with legendary English DJ Paul Oakenfold taking over the primary house rocking duties.
For more information about events, activities and villa rentals in Los Cabos, call us TOLL FREE at 1-888-655-4548, visit www.LosCabosVillas.com, or email us at Info@LosCabosVillas.com .
Photo courtesy of Blue Marlin Ibiza.
Upcoming Event Calendar
May
483rd La Paz Foundation Festival – May 3 – 5
Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
Cinco de Mayo – May 5
Día de la Madre (Mother’s Day) – May 10
Gastrovino Food & Wine Festival – May 19 – 20
White Party at ME Cabo and Blue Marlin Ibiza – May 26
Rancho Pescadero Yoga, Surf & Nutrition Retreat – May 30 – June 2
June
Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – June 7, 14, 21, 28
Pelagic Triple Crown: 5th Annual Cabo Summer Slam – June 7 – 9
Los Cabos Open of Surf – June 11 – 17
Fiesta de la Musica – June 23
Stars and Stripes Golf & Fishing Tournament – June 28 – July 1
July
East Cape Dorado Shootout Fishing Tournament – Jul. 21
Los Cabos Open of Tennis – July 30 – Aug. 4
Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore Fishing Tournament – Jul. 31 – Aug. 4
August
East Cape Gold Cup Wahoo Jackpot Fishing Tournament – Aug. 25
September
Día de la Independencia (Independence Day) – Sep. 16
October
Los Cabos Billfish Tournament – Oct. 14 – 18
Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore Fishing Tournament – Oct. 18 – 21
Bisbee’s Black & Blue Fishing Tournament – Oct. 23 – 27
25th Baja Ha-Ha Cruisers Rally – Oct. 28 – Nov. 10
Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) – Oct. 31 – Nov. 2
November
Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Nov. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
Life Luxe Jazz Experience at Pueblo Bonito Pacifica – Nov. 1 – 4
IRONMAN 70.3 Latin American Tri Club Championship – Nov. 4
Adidas Golf Invitational at Cabo del Sol – Nov. 6 – 11
WON Tuna Jackpot – Nov. 7 – 10
SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 14 – 18
Día de la Revolución (Revolution Day) – Nov. 20
Día de Acción de Gracias (Thanksgiving) – Nov. 22
December
Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Dec. 6, 13, 20, 27
Virgin of Guadalupe Feast Day – Dec. 12
Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) – Dec. 24
Navidad (Christmas) – Dec. 25
Nochevieja (New Year’s Eve) – Dec. 31
Please let me know what you think about this!