What happens at the Cabo San Lucas fiestas
The town takes its name from San Lucas, the saint whose feast falls on October 18, and the fiestas run for several days around that date. The municipality says the program keeps the traditional pieces: the cabalgata (a horseback parade), horse races and the selection of the fiesta queens, plus artistic, cultural and sports events. In 2025 the fiestas ran October 17 to 22, with pageant nights at Plaza Pública León Cota Collins, and 2025 was the first year with an LGBTQ+ queen pageant.
For 2026, the Ayuntamiento has installed its organizing committee and opened calls for queen candidates and a logo and slogan contest, but had not published the dates when we checked. Expect them to land close to the 2025 pattern.
Is it for you?
Go if you're curious about Cabo as a Mexican town rather than a resort strip. It's loud, crowded at night and very local, with fair food, music and families out late. Security checks at the entrances confiscate glass bottles and sharp objects, so leave both at the villa.
If you are here for a quiet week on the beach you won't notice it from Médano. If you want to see it, one evening is plenty.
Getting there and where to eat
From our villa on Médano Beach the town center is a 5 to 10 minute taxi or Uber ride. Traffic police run a special operation during the fiestas, so expect slow streets near the venue and don't count on parking close by. Our getting around Cabo guide covers taxis versus Uber.
Eat before you go or keep it simple nearby: tacos at Tacos Gardenias or fish tacos at Los Claros are easy stops in town.
What to bring
Cash in small pesos for food and rides, comfortable shoes and a light layer for later in the evening. Leave glass bottles, pocket knives and anything valuable you don't need at home. If you want a quieter taste of the town's pride, catch the cabalgata by day instead of the late-night fair; horse riders from local ranches pass through town and it is easy to watch from the sidewalk.