Fishing and Fiestas: Summer Events in Los Cabos
Twenty years ago, event season in Los Cabos was whenever the most fishing tournaments were being held. Big-game sportfishing was the primary reason for the area’s rise in popularity as a tourist destination, and the local events that mattered most were those that promised potential payouts for the activity everyone was coming here for anyway.
Nowadays, cape cities Cabo San Lucas and San José del Cabo offer so much more—from world-class golf and pampering spas to art and culture and first-class food and beverage—a reality reflected in the number of cultural fairs and festivals held each year. Los Cabos is now home to large-scale film, food, music and comedy festivals, and coastal pueblo mágico Todos Santos hosts film, art and music fests each winter.
Interested visitors can survey a portion of Los Cabos’ cultural landscape tonight, as San José del Cabo hosts its annual Fiesta de la Música, a celebration of musical diversity featuring more than 50 performers on stages throughout the city’s downtown area. Local favorites the Brian Flynn Bland will give bluegrass lovers a treat at 11 p.m., with the ace guitarist and singer accompanied by fiddle and mandolin players. The event itself goes from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m.
But let’s be honest: fishing still matters. In fact, it’s featured in some of this summer’s biggest events.
18th Annual Stars and Stripes Tournament
When: June 26–29, 2014
Where: Hilton Los Cabos Beach and Golf Resort
This annual event is all about the kids—Stars and Stripes has raised millions of dollars for children’s charities—but the adults get to have plenty of fun. Participants can test their luck against the local dorado, tuna, wahoo, and marlin populations, or against the championship-level, Jack Nicklaus–designed layouts at Palmilla and Club Campestre. In addition to fishing and golf tournaments, there will also be nightly theme dinners and entertainment at the Hilton Los Cabos Beach and Golf Resort. This year’s musical performers include Gary Sinise and the Lt. Dan Band.
Information: http://www.starsandstripestournament.com/
Fourth of July at Nikki Beach
When: July 4, 2014
Where: Nikki Beach Club at ME Cabo Resort
U.S. expats and seasonal residents love México. That’s why we came to Los Cabos in the first place. But there is one holiday that cannot be ignored, even abroad. The Fourth of July requires some good-old fashioned American patriotism, best exhibited by tucking into some tasty barbecue and at least a couple of hot dogs. Nikki Beach Club, Cabo’s hottest poolside party spot, is hosting the area’s premier Fourth of July bash, with plenty of fun in the sun, great music, and all the traditional treats you’d expect.
Information: http://www.nikkibeachcabo.com/event/4th-july/
Third Annual Capella Food and Wine Festival
When: July 9–13, 2014
Where: Capella Pedregal
The most luxurious resort in Cabo San Lucas and possessor of the world’s top ranked spa hosts its third annual food and wine fest this July. The food fete is traditionally topped off with a five-course meal prepared by some of the best chefs in the United States and Mexico, which this year include Kent Rathburn of Dallas’s Abacus and Jasper and Peruvian-born Ricardo Zalate, founder of hip L.A. eateries Mo-chica and Picca. In addition to its culinary pleasures, the festival will also include wine and cheese tastings, a tequila seminar, and handcrafted, Prohibition-era cocktails from master mixologist Ulysses Vidal of Employees Only in New York.
Information: http://www.capellahotels.com/cabosanlucas/foodandwine/
10th Annual East Cape Dorado Shoot Out
When: July 17–19, 2014
Where: Los Barriles
Here’s the deal: Catch the biggest dorado on July 19, and you win a new, fully loaded 4×4 pickup truck. As a matter of fact, big prizes go to the top three teams, and generous side jackpots are also up for grabs—last year more than $80,000 was paid out—plus $20,000 in raffle items that will be distributed during the post-tournament awards dinner, held at the Van Wormer–owned Hotel Palmas de Cortez in Los Barriles. The entry fee is $500 per team. Registration begins at 3 p.m. on July 17 at the hotel.
Information: http://doradoshootout.com/en/aboutus
Bisbee’s East Cape Offshore
When: August 5–9, 2014
Where: Buenavista
Bisbee’s, organizers the world’s richest fishing tournaments, starts off their traditional three tournament season with the East Cape Offshore (followed by the Los Cabos Offshore and Black & Blue in October). Anglers compete to bring in the biggest dorado, wahoo, tuna, and blue and black marlin. The kickoff cocktail party and post event awards ceremony will be held at the Hotel Buena Vista Beach Resort in Buenavista.
Information: http://www.bisbees.com/