Those who have spent any time at all in San Jose del Cabo are undoubtedly familiar with Art Walk. The weekly 
(and seasonal) Thursday night event is, after all, a cultural touchstone, welcoming visitors into the boutiques and art galleries of the historic Art District, but also shining a spotlight on downtown bars and restaurants, and the local street scene, from street painters to wandering musicians.
What casual or first-time visitors to Los Cabos may not realize, however, is that Cabo San Lucas has its own version of Art Walk. The name is different (Viva La Plaza) and so is the night (Friday rather than Thursday), but the essence is the same: to showcase not only regional arts and culture, but also the heart and soul of the downtown area.
Viva La Paza is set in and around Plaza Amelia Wilkes, the plaza principal/town square of Cabo San Lucas. Named for a local schoolteacher and the first woman to hold political office in Baja California Sur, the plaza is home to the natural history museum, and thanks to a recent renovation project, has never looked better or more beautiful. The picturesque central gazebo is sporting a new coat of paint, and festive papeles picados are strung across its flawlessly sculpted expanse, framing the broad walkways and wrought iron benches.
On Friday nights, bars and restaurants surrounding the square are lit up, the streets blocked off to all but pedestrian traffic, and local artists and crafts people display their wares. Cabo San Lucas may not have the gallery space for walk-in art viewing for Viva La Plaza as San Jose’s Art District offers for Art Walk, but the streets themselves become makeshift galleries, spotlighting everything from vibrant contemporary painting to traditional bead art from peyote inspired Huichol Indians.
This being 2021, masks are encouraged and antibacterial hand gel is found at stations situated throughout the plaza. But the streets are not crowded enough to make social distancing an issue. The event is a loose, rambling, open-air kind of party, with couples strolling by exhibits, skateboarders and roller blade wearers weaving in and around them, and families with kids standing in discrete groups in front of the dedicated dance stage.
Speaking of which…the highlight of every Viva La Plaza is undoubtedly the folkloric dancing, which takes place in a slightly elevated area – transformed into an impromptu theater – in front of the Museo de Historia Natural. Every state and region of Mexico has its unique costumes and dances, of course, and since Los Cabos is a melting pot, visitors to Viva La Plaza can enjoy performances representing a diverse and delightful sampling of the country’s rich cultural legacy.
When the stage show is over, couples, families and friends sit and chat on the many benches, or adjourn to nearby restaurants which bound the square, offering cultural treasures of their own. Mi Casa offers regional Mexican fare, for example, while Invita Bistro offers Italian specialties and a front picture window that looks out across the square towards the lovely luxury villas that hug the nearby hillsides of Pedregal. And then there is the Cabo Coffee Company, where Viva La Plaza promenaders can duck in for an energy-boosting espresso or latte…or simply to cool off in the air-conditioning during warmer months.
Despite the obvious comparisons in frequency and focus with Art Walk, there is no competition between Los Cabos’ weekly arts and culture celebrations. Both are special in their own ways, and both have carved out their own space on the local events calendar.
Thursday nights may belong to San Jose del Cabo. But Friday nights belongs to Cabo San Lucas…at least between 6 and 10 p.m. in the Land’s End city’s historic heart.
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: Viva La Plaza
Upcoming Events Calendar
March
Cabo Collegiate Golf Tournament – Feb. – Mar. 2
Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Mar. 4, 11, 18, 25
Viva La Plaza in Cabo San Lucas – Mar. 5, 12, 19, 26
Todos Santos Film Festival – Mar. 18 – 21
Semana Santa – Mar. 28. – Apr. 3
April
Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Apr. 1, 8, 15, 22
Viva La Plaza in Cabo San Lucas – Apr. 2, 9, 16, 23
Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race – Apr. 23 – 26
NORRA Mexican 1000 Rally Road Race – Apr. 23 – 30
May
Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – May 6, 13, 20, 27
Viva La Plaza in Cabo San Lucas – May 7, 14, 21, 28
June
Los Cabos Open of Surf – Jun. 3 -7
Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Jun. 3, 10, 17, 24
Viva La Plaza in Cabo San Lucas – Jun. 4, 11, 18, 25
Pelagic Triple Crown of Fishing Tournament– Jun. 10 – 12
Stars and Stripes Golf and Fishing Tournament – Jun. 23 – 27
July
East Cape Dorado Shootout Fishing Tournament – Jul. 17
Los Cabos Open of Tennis – Jul. 19 – 24
Ladies Only Fishing Tournament at Palmas de Cortez – Jul. 22 – 26
August
Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore – Aug. 3 – 7
Wahoo Gold Cup Jackpot Fishing Tournament – Aug. 21
September
Mexico Independence Day – Sep. 16
October
Los Cabos Billfish Tournament – Oct. 10 – 14
Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore Fishing Tournament – Oct. 14 – 17
Bisbee’s Black and Blue Fishing Tournament – Oct. 19 – 23
November
WON Tuna Jackpot Fishing Tournament – Nov. 3 – 6
Art Walk in San Jose del Cabo – Nov. 4, 11, 18, 25
Viva La Plaza in Cabo San Lucas – Nov. 5, 12, 19, 26
SCORE Baja 1000 – Nov. 15 – 20
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
Official Start of Whale Watching Season – Dec. 15
Nochebuena – Dec. 24
Navidad – Dec. 25
Nochevieja – Dec. 31
Please let me know what you think about this!