Cabo San Lucas hosts a calendar of events that reflects its dual identity as a sport fishing capital and a luxury resort destination. From multi-million-dollar fishing tournaments to Mexican cultural celebrations and international film festivals, there is usually something happening beyond the beach. Here are the major events and festivals in Cabo San Lucas, organized by month with specific dates where available.
Cabo San Lucas Events: January to March
Los Cabos Tuna Jackpot (Late January to Early February)
This 2-day tournament kicks off the fishing calendar with a focus on yellowfin tuna. Held at the IGY Marina, it typically draws 100-150 teams competing for a purse that exceeds US$500,000. The weigh station at the marina is open to spectators, and the atmosphere around Dock 0 during the afternoon weigh-ins is part fishing derby, part street party. Entry fees start around US$1,500 per team for the base jackpot divisions. The 2025 event ran January 29 to February 1. Book marina-area hotels 3-4 months ahead as rooms fill with anglers and crews. See our where to stay in Cabo for more details.
DÃa de San José (March 19)
The feast day of Saint Joseph, patron saint of San José del Cabo, is celebrated with a street fair, live music, traditional dance performances, and food stalls in the main plaza of San José. It is a local community event rather than a tourist attraction, so you will see more families than visitors. The cathedral holds a special mass in the morning, and the fair runs from midday into the evening. If you are staying in Cabo San Lucas, it is a US$30-35 taxi ride or 30-minute drive to reach San José.
Cabo San Lucas Events: April to June
Semana Santa (Easter Week, March or April)
Semana Santa is the busiest travel week in Mexico, and Cabo fills to capacity with both international tourists and Mexican vacationers. The dates shift each year based on the Catholic calendar. Expect every resort at 95-100% occupancy, traffic jams on the corridor highway, and packed beaches. On the positive side, the atmosphere is festive with beach parties, live music at Medano Beach bars, and extended restaurant hours. If you are not specifically traveling for Semana Santa, avoid this week. If you are coming, book accommodations 6 months ahead and expect minimum stays of 5-7 nights at most resorts.
Gastrovino Food and Wine Festival (May)
Gastrovino is a 3-day culinary event held in San José del Cabo, typically in mid-May. It brings together Mexican wineries from Valle de Guadalupe and international chefs for tasting sessions, wine dinners, and a grand tasting event. Tickets run US$75-150 per event, with the grand tasting typically around US$100 per person. Events are held at various venues around San José, including hotel terraces and gallery courtyards. Check the official Gastrovino website for exact dates and the event schedule, which is usually published by March. This event has grown significantly since its launch in 2017 and now attracts about 3,000 attendees across the weekend.
Cabo San Lucas Events: July to September
East Cape Dorado Shootout (July)
Held in Los Barriles, about 100km northeast of Cabo on the East Cape, this tournament focuses on dorado (mahi-mahi). It is a single-day event, usually the last Saturday of July, with a simple format: catch the heaviest dorado. Entry is around US$300 per team, and it attracts both serious anglers and casual participants. The East Cape area is less developed than Cabo, so if you are participating, plan to stay in Los Barriles or Buena Vista for at least one night. The drive from Cabo takes about 90 minutes on Highway 1.
Mexican Independence Day (September 15-16)
The Grito de Dolores is reenacted on the evening of September 15 in town plazas across Mexico, including the main plaza in Cabo San Lucas near the marina. The mayor or a local official delivers the grito (the cry for independence) at 11 PM, followed by fireworks over the marina. September 16 is a national holiday with parades, street food, and live music. Restaurants and bars around the marina are festive and crowded. September falls within hurricane season, so outdoor events may be scaled back or cancelled if a storm is approaching.
Cabo San Lucas Events: October to December
Bisbee’s Los Cabos Offshore (Mid-October)
Known as the “Little Bisbee’s,” this is the warm-up tournament held one week before the main Black and Blue event. It follows the same format targeting blue and black marlin, dorado, and tuna, but with smaller entry fees (around US$1,500 per team for base divisions) and a proportionally smaller purse. The 2-day tournament is based at the IGY Marina, and the weigh station and awards ceremony are open to the public. This is the tournament to watch if you want the Bisbee’s experience without the massive crowds of the main event.
Bisbee’s Black and Blue (Late October)
The Black and Blue is the richest billfish tournament in the world, with total payouts exceeding US$5 million in some years. It runs for 3 days in late October, typically the third week of the month, with up to 200 teams from 20-plus countries. The format is a release tournament for marlin with daily jackpots and overall largest-fish prizes across multiple divisions. Even if you are not fishing, the marina during the tournament is a spectacle of gleaming sportfishers, live weigh-ins on the big screen, and a palpable tension as teams return each afternoon. The awards banquet on the final night is ticketed (US$100-150) and features live music and open bars. Book marina-adjacent hotels at least 6 months ahead if you want to be in the middle of the action.
DÃa de los Muertos (November 1-2)
Cabo and San José del Cabo both build ofrendas (altars) in public plazas for Day of the Dead. San José del Cabo has the larger celebration, with a community ofrenda in Plaza Mijares, face painting, catrina costume contests, and a nighttime procession through the Gallery District. In Cabo San Lucas, the plaza near the marina sets up altars and hosts evening music. This is a family-friendly cultural event that has grown in recent years as Los Cabos promotes itself as a Day of the Dead destination alongside Oaxaca and Mexico City. November weather is excellent, with temperatures around 29°C (84°F) and low humidity. See our Cabo San Lucas weather by month for more details.
Los Cabos International Film Festival (Mid-November)
This 5-day festival usually runs the second or third week of November and draws A-list Hollywood and Mexican film talent to Los Cabos. Screenings take place at venues in both Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo, including outdoor beach screenings at the Pabellón Cultural in Cabo. The festival focuses on US and Mexican independent films with a competition section, tributes, and industry panels. Public tickets run US$10-20 per screening; industry passes run US$200-400. The 2024 edition featured tributes to several major directors. Hotels along the corridor fill with industry attendees, so book early if your dates overlap. For more, check our best neighborhoods in Cabo San Lucas. For more, check our Cabo San Lucas travel tips.
Christmas and New Year (December 20 to January 5)
The holiday corridor is the single busiest stretch of the year in Cabo. Resorts sell out months in advance, minimum stays of 5-7 nights are standard, and restaurant reservations are essential for Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve dinners. Many resorts and beach clubs host ticketed NYE parties featuring fireworks and live entertainment; tickets run US$150-400 per person depending on the venue. The marina area sets up Christmas lights and a tree in the plaza. If you want a quieter holiday, San José del Cabo is calmer than Cabo San Lucas, though still busy. Book everything by September for this period. For more, check our best time to visit Cabo San Lucas. For more, check our things to do in Cabo San Lucas.
