Los Cabos’ ever evolving dining scene is shown off to its best advantage in the region’s increasingly packed calendar of 
food and wine related events, which spotlight the creativity of Los Cabos’ top chefs, but also celebrate traditional local specialties like freshly sourced seafood and organically grown fruits and vegetables.
For those seeking a true taste of Los Cabos – from food festivals in cape cities Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo to fairs and fiestas in Todos Santos and beyond – here’s a basic guide to the biggest events on the local culinary calendar:
Summer Harvest Festivals
Each July, when the pitahaya ripens, the residents of the small organic farming community Miraflores (in English, “Behold the Flowers”) celebrate with a lively weekend harvest festival. Pitahayas are a fruit derived from the organ pipe cactus, and are extraordinarily rich in antioxidants, which may account for the legendary longevity of Miraflores residents.
Pitahayas were the favorite food of the region’s indigenous inhabitants, the Pericues, and thus also have a strong cultural and historical component. This year’s “feria” is coming up soon – July 13 to 15 – and will include the crowning of a festival queen, a pitahaya gathering contest, and a vast array of food and drink, much of it featuring the region’s signature fruit.
Pitahayas may be the most emblematic fruit in Baja California Sur, but the most ubiquitous are mangoes. You can reach up and take them off the trees at many area resorts and restaurants, and during summer months, freshly squeezed mango juice becomes a delicious daily treat for residents and visitors alike.
A trip to the annual Todos Santos Mango Festival will heighten your appreciation for what can be done in the name of this luscious tropical fruit. See if you agree with who dishes out the best Mangate, a dessert typical of the region. The 2018 edition – hosted in the state’s only pueblo magico, one hour north of Cabo San Lucas by car – takes place later this month: July 28 – 31.
Sabor a Cabo International Food & Wine Festival
The region’s biggest culinary festival, called Sabor a Cabo, is held each year in early December, and draws over 3,000 guests to an outdoor site in Los Cabos to sample food and wine, and enjoy live musical performances (past performers include Grammy winner Lila Downs, legendary Mexican rock band Mana, and elemental R&B superstars Earth, Wind & Fire). The main event – which rotates to various local venues – is always preceded by smaller auxiliary events, including a country food and wine tasting that shows off the area’s incredible organically grown produce and fresh local seafood. Dates for the 13th edition will be announced later this year. In the meantime, you can sample the wares from the festival’s 50 to 60 participating chefs by having dinner at virtually any fine restaurant in Los Cabos.
Cheese & Wine Festival and Sheraton Grand Hacienda del Mar
Each year – typically in March – Sheraton Grand’s luxurious Hacienda del Mar resort transforms its Salon Hacienda ballroom for a mammoth tasting celebration of cheese and wine. Live music accompanies the enormous selection of internationally representative quesos y vinos, with all ticket proceeds going to benefit the Los Cabos Children’s Foundation.
Sabores de Baja Festival in Miraflores
The small town of Miraflores is notable for several reasons, including the unusual longevity of its residents and its annual summer harvest festival celebrating pitahayas, the favorite fruit of the area’s indigenous inhabitants. Mainly, though, it is known as the foremost organic farming community in the Los Cabos municipality, the place the region’s best restaurants go to source their produce. It’s the perfect place, in other words, to host an organic food festival that focuses on the traditional cuisine and culture of Los Cabos. Sabores de Baja (sabores translates as tastes or flavors) is expected to return for its 3rd annual edition in April 2019.
Gastrovino Baja Food & Wine Festival
Aside from the annual Sabor a Cabo shindig in Los Cabos, Gastrovino is the biggest 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.
Taco Fest Los Cabos at Casa Dorada
Los Cabos’ top chefs converge on the luxurious beachfront Casa Dorada resort each April, where they compete to produce the most delicious variation of Mexico’s signature comfort food: the taco. The winners are traditionally the guests, who get to sample creative taco entries from some of the area’s most talented culinary craftsmen. Live music is also featured
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 Casa Dorada Los Cabos Resort & Spa.
Upcoming Event Calendar
July
Stars and Stripes Golf & Fishing Tournament – June 28 – July 1
28th Annual Feria de la Pitahaya in Miraflores – July 13 – 15
East Cape Dorado Shootout Fishing Tournament – Jul. 21
12th Annual Mango Festival in Todos Santos – July 28 – 31
Los Cabos Open of Tennis – July 30 – Aug. 4
Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore Fishing Tournament – Jul. 31 – Aug. 4
August
Los Cabos Open of Tennis – July 30 – Aug. 4
Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore Fishing Tournament – Jul. 31 – Aug. 4
East Cape Gold Cup Wahoo Jackpot Fishing Tournament – Aug. 25
September
Día de la Independencia (Independence Day) – Sep. 16
October
Sammy Hagar Birthday Bashes at Cabo Wabo Cantina – Oct. 9, 11, 13
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
Día de Muertos (Day of the Dead) – Oct. 31 – Nov. 2
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
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