The Second Annual San Sebastián Cultural Weekend will be hosted by the city of San Sebastián del Oeste, Jalisco, a short 2½ hour drive east of Puerto Vallarta. From May 27 to May 29, 2011, the rustic colonial village, a UNESCO world heritage site, will offer visitors the opportunity to participate in traditional activities, watch traditional and folkloric performers in dance and music, attend a tourism expo, and participate in a Lunada, a traditional full moon dance.

The surrounding villages of San Sebastián, La Pitayera, Juvenil Los Pinos and others, will participate in the Lunada and dance. During the Lunada, you'll enjoy traditional activities, callejonadas (street parties), night time serenades and much more.

The arts will be represented by folkloric ballet, traditional singers, a variety of musical groups, dramatic performances and more. A farmers market will be open, where local producers will share their gourmet products, crafts and fruit. Participate in the Garden Competition and tour the local gardens and enjoy delicious fruits that are currently in season. The winning garden will be announced by judges on the final day of the fair.

Keynote speech and Tourism Workshop will be led by professors and researchers from the University of Guadalajara Vallarta Campus – el CUC. San Sebastián del Oeste and the participating villages look forward to receiving you soon.

San Sebastián Cultural Weekend 2011 Events

Friday, May 27

Expo-Sale Pavilion - 11:00 to 7:00 pm

Conference on Tourism and Cultural Heritage - 2:00 to 5:00 pm

Philharmonic Band of Ayutla - 7:00 to 8:00 pm

Cultural Theater - 8:00 to 9:00 pm

Poetry Club - 9:00 to 10:00 pm

Traditional Lunada (Moonlight Walk) accompanied by traditional music - 10:00 to 12:00 pm

Saturday, May 28

Expo-Sale Pavilion - 11:00 to 7:00 pm

Walk through gardens and check out the Best Orchard Contest - 12:00 to 2:00 pm

Band playing traditional music at the Expo-Sale Pavilion - 3:00 to 5:00 pm

Folkloric Ballet Atenguillo - 7:00 to 8:00 pm

Luna Sureste (live music) - 8:00 to 9:00 pm

Singers from Mascota (live music) - 9:00 to 10:00 pm

Callejoneada (Walk through the alleys enlivened by Talpa's Estudiantina) - 10:00 to 12:00 pm

Sunday, May 29

Expo-Sale Pavilion - 11:00 to 7:00 pm

San Felipe Band playing at the Expo-Sale Pavilion - 12:00 to 2:00

San Sebastián Mariachi - 6:00 to 6:30 pm

Presentation of Awards to Best Garden Contest winners - 6:30 to 7:00 pm

Eros (live music) - 8:00 to 9:00 pm

Dance with La Pitayera Band - 9:00 to 11:00 pm

Closing of the Cultural Weekend with the San Sebastián Band - 11:00 to 1:00 pm

San Sebastián was founded as a mining town in 1605 during the Spanish colonial period. Gold, silver and lead were mined around the area. More than 25 mines and a number of foundries had been established by 1785.

Today, the mines are long gone, although the ruins of them are still there, some distance from the town. It is a joy to wander around in this very peaceful town, which has changed little in hundreds of years.