There are two art and culture celebrations held weekly throughout the high tourist season in Los Cabos: one each
in Cabo San Lucas and San Jose del Cabo.
Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo has been around longer, so is better known. But for the past five years, Viva La Plaza has been bringing a new kind of attention to the downtown area of Cabo San Lucas.
For decades the Land’s End community has been best known for its fishing and boisterous nightlife. Now, attention is finally being paid to its history and culture, in ways that are both eye-catching and delightful.
Held each Friday from 6 to 10 p.m. during high tourist season – October through May – Viva La Plaza is centered around Plaza Amelia Wilkes, the town square named for a beloved local schoolteacher and political figure who was a leader during a time when few people had ever heard of Cabo San Lucas, and tourism was in its infancy.
The plaza recently underwent a major renovation, with new stonework and garden plantings around its central gazebo, a fresh paint job for the Natural History Museum, and a new statue dedicated to the memory of Amelia Wilkes Cesena. But it’s not just the plaza itself which is now picturesquely pretty. From the hills of Pedregal, which tower beautifully in the background, to the old Catholic church, Parroquia San Lucas Evangelista, and the colorful bars and restaurants that surround the square, this area is now undeniably the most charming in the city.
But the aim of Viva La Plaza is not simply to bring attention to this charming area, but rather to return the town square to its rightful place as a center of social life in Cabo San Lucas, as it was during the heyday of Amelia Wilkes herself. To do this, the organizers of Viva La Plaza have organized their seasonal weekly cultural festival with both locals and tourists in mind, blending art with food, music and dancing.
On Friday nights the streets around Plaza Amelia Wilkes are closed, the streets open or for people to explore the work of local artists (either set up on easels in the street or at nearby galleries like Hector Estrada Art Gallery), to marvel at the performances of costumed street performers, to sample homemade churros or cocktails from neighboring bars, and be entranced by traditional Mexican music and folkloric dancing, which takes place on the stage in front of the Natural History Museum.
One piece of permanent artwork is a giant sign commemorating kilometer marker 0, which is both beautiful and exaggerated, just like life in the southernmost community on the Baja California peninsula!
Less of an explanation is needed for Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo, which is far longer established, and is now practically synonymous with art, culture and a celebration of history in its downtown center.
Each Thursday from 5 to 9 p.m. during high tourist season – November through June – the cobblestone-studded streets of the city’s historic Gallery District come alive with wandering musicians, street artists, locals and visitors. Almost symbolically, the opening of Art Walk season is contemporaneous with the Mexican Day of the Dead (Dia de Muertos), which remembers and celebrates those who have come before with public and private altars called ofrendas.
On Art Walk evenings, gallery owners stay open late to talk with guests, and around the town square of Plaza Mijares are street artists and crafts people with their wares laid out for all to see. The magnificent old Catholic church, Parroquia San Jose, is open for those who want to visit a more traditional altar, and City Hall with its colorful courtyard murals depicting great moments in local and national history also beckons those on an informal walking tour of the heart of the city.
Art Walk is among the most popular romantic activities for visiting couples, blending art and music, fine food and wine. This is an evening for walking and holding hands, for sharing new sights and sounds, each unique and each singularly emblematic of the magic of San Jose del Cabo.
Naturally, the Gallery District and city center are also home to some of the finest bars and restaurants in Los Cabos. The region’s first microbrewery, Baja Brewing Company, maintains its original location in the heart of the Art District. It’s next door to La Lupita, the city’s most famous taquería and mezcal tasting destination. Both are packed on Thursday nights as visitors take a break from gallery hopping.
These are only two of the most popular stops, of course. There are many more, just as there are a wide array of galleries, arts and crafts boutiques and jewelry stores; from those showcasing traditional Mata Ortiz pottery and Huichol animal figures to paintings and sculptures from some of the best contemporary artists.
The only way to see them all is to make Art Walk a regularly scheduled event during your time in Los Cabos. But when you circle Thursday on your calendar, make sure you circle Friday as well. You won’t want to miss what’s happening in Cabo San Lucas!
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 credit: Julio Rodriguez/Cabo Inclusive
Upcoming Events Calendar
November
Baja Ha-Ha Cruisers Rally – Nov. 1 – 13
Day of the Dead – Nov. 1, 2
WON Los Cabos Tuna Jackpot – Nov. 3 – 6
Life Luxe Los Cabos Jazz Festival – Nov. 4 – 8
Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Nov. 4, 11, 18, 25
Viva La Plaza in Cabo San Lucas – Nov. 5, 12, 19, 26
Los Cabos Film Festival – Nov. 10 – 17
SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 15 – 20
Revolution Day – Nov. 20
Top Chef Taco Series at Paradero – Nov. 26 – 27
December
Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Dec. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
Viva La Plaza in Cabo San Lucas – Dec. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31
Top Chef Taco Series at Paradero – Dec. 9 – 10
El Dia de la Virgen de Guadalupe – Dec. 12
Official Start of Whale Watching Season in Los Cabos – Dec. 15
Las Posadas – Dec. 16 – 24
Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) – Dec. 24
Navidad (Christmas) – Dec. 25
Nochevieja (New Year’s Eve) – Dec. 31
Studio 54 New Year’s Eve Party at Casa Dorada – Dec. 31
January 2022
Los Cabos Pro-Am Golf Tournament at Twin Dolphin and Cabo del Sol – Jan. 9 – 13
Tropic of Cancer Music Series in Todos Santos – Jan. 12 – 16
February 2022
Carnaval in La Paz – Feb. 26 – Mar. 1
Cabo Collegiate Golf Tournament at Querencia – Feb. 27 – Mar. 1
March 2022
Fiestas Tradicionales in San Jose del Cabo – Dates Not Yet Announced
April 2022
Semana Santa – Apr. 10 – 17
May 2022
Cinco de Mayo – May 5
Dia de la Madre – May 10
Warren Hill’s Los Cabos Jazz Festival – May 15 – 18
Premier Golf Pro-Am Tournament – May 15
Please let me know what you think about this!