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The organizers of the FESTVA International Folk Dance Festival have announced the program for its 20th edition, which will take place across various venues in Puerto Vallarta from May 1 to 9, 2026. The event will feature a total of 21 national and 5 international dance groups, bringing together 1,200 dancers.
Throughout these 10 days of activity, locals and visitors can enjoy—free of charge—some of the most representative folk dances from Mexico and this year’s guest countries: Bolivia, Latvia, Bulgaria, Colombia, and Costa Rica.
In a press conference held at River Café restaurant, festival director Tony Salcedo highlighted the importance and impact of the event over the years. He pointed out the main activities of this 20th edition, including an inaugural parade on Monday, May 4, at 6 p.m., starting near the Sheraton Hotel and ending at the Los Arcos del Malecón amphitheater, where participating groups will perform.
Puerto Vallarta’s Cultural Councilor, Laurel Carrillo, attended the conference and described the event as “a meeting space between cultures where folklore becomes a universal language that transcends borders, strengthening bonds of brotherhood.” Also in attendance were Daniel Alarcón, Sub-director of City Markets; Selene Mora, Festival Administrator; Ricardo Martínez, Director of the Vallarta Institute of Culture (IVC); and Javier Hernández, Director of Logistics.
Full Event Program:
Friday, May 1
- Arrival of participating dance groups.
Saturday, May 2
- 6:00 pm: Puerto Mágico / Yucatán, Aguascalientes, Michoacán, and Costa Rica.
- 8:30 pm: Santa Cruz Church / Veracruz.
Sunday, May 3
- 5:00 pm: Teatro Vallarta / Guanajuato and Yucatán. (Entry fee: $200 pesos)
- 7:30 pm: Teatro Vallarta / Sinaloa and Latvia. (Entry fee: $200 pesos)
- 7:00 pm: Ixtapa Main Square / Veracruz, Aguascalientes, Jalisco, and Costa Rica.
- 8:30 pm: Santa Cruz Church / Michoacán.
Monday, May 4
- 9:00 am: Official Photo / Arcos del Malecón.
- 10:00 am: “Baila Conmigo” (Dance with Me) / Plaza de Armas.
- 11:00 am: Awards Ceremony / Municipal Palace Central Courtyard.
- 6:00 pm: Inaugural Parade / Puerto Vallarta Malecón.
- 7:30 pm: Official Opening & Group Performances / Arcos del Malecón.
Tuesday, May 5
- 12:00 pm: Pop-up Performances / Emiliano Zapata Market (Michoacán and Costa Rica).
- 7:00 pm: Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish / Baja California, Latvia, Costa Rica, and Bulgaria.
Wednesday, May 6
- 12:00 pm: Pop-up Performances / Río Cuale Market.
- 6:00 pm: La Isla Shopping Village / Jalisco, Hidalgo, and Bulgaria.
Thursday, May 7
- 10:00 am: CECyTEJ 07 Pitillal Campus / “Sembrando Paz” (Sowing Peace).
Friday, May 8
- 12:00 pm: Flavors of the World / Emiliano Zapata Market.
- 6:00 pm: Río Cuale Market / Jalisco, Chihuahua, and Latvia.
- 6:00 pm: Gran Nayar Hotel School / Nayarit, Bulgaria, and Colombia.
Saturday, May 9
- 6:00 pm: Grand Closing Concert / La Lija Cultural Center.
The FESTVA International Folk Dance Festival is held with the support of the Municipal Government of Puerto Vallarta, the Vallarta Institute of Culture, Cecytej Vallarta Campus, the Tourism Trust (Fidetur), Seapal, and several local restaurants including River Café, Basilios, Lukumbé, and Ándale.
For more information about the festival and its activities, visit their Facebook page.
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