Get Your Art On! Fast Facts About Los Cabos' Art Walk
It’s Thursday in Cabo San Lucas. The sun is setting upon the Pacific and surfing is done for day, but you want to do something different than just dancing and partying the night away. So where do you head? Easy: You hit San Jose del Cabo’s Gallery District for the Art Walk, an increasingly popular tradition that is here to stay. Here’s what you need to know:
Bigger and Better
It’s bigger than ever. No longer “Cabo’s best kept secret,” the event that started 12 years ago with a handful of people in attendance now hosts 2,000-plus visitors who roam the streets of a downtown section of San José del Cabo, where 16 art galleries showcase an impressive array of collections in a wide range of artistic disciplines.
“We’re very proud of the growth we’ve experienced over time, and every year brings something new to our budding district,” mentions Alegría Gómez, who handles media contacts for ArtCabo.com.
Get to Know the Real Los Cabos
It shows you a different side of Baja living. Everyone loves the beachside activities, the golf outings, the top-notch resorts and the outdoor adventures, but the relaxed sophistication of the Art Walk speaks of a community that has embraced culture and invests on its development.
“The whole experience is tailored for our most discerning visitors, from the quaint classical buildings that line up our streets to the quality of our exhibits,” says Edgar Villavicencio, founding member and current President of the Gallery District Association.
“The best part of the experience is that it’s concentrated around four or five blocks of businesses and venues, all of them bringing something unique to the table in order to guarantee an unrivaled appreciation of our artistic community,” he adds.
It’s goes much further than your standard art fare. You can expect painters, sculptors, and photographers headlining the galleries’ exhibits, but visitors can also enjoy the work of local craftsmen, take in the sights and sounds of street performers, listen to live music, and immerse themselves in a friendly and safe atmosphere where culture mingles with the active social life of the area’s residents.
Grab a glass of wine, rub elbows with the glitterati, get your fill of people-watching, and still have more than enough time left to enjoy dinner at one of the district’s restaurants: Whether it's tacos and mezcal at La Lupita or fresh seafood and craft cocktails at La Revolución, a memorable meal will definitely mark the end of a perfect day in paradise.
More Chances To Create, Experience Tradition
Its extended season is quite accommodating. The Art Walk spans from late October to the last Thursday of June, and only stops for the hottest months of the year. You’ll still find many galleries and other businesses open in the off-season, so don’t hesitate to drop by.
It’s an opportunity to create your own yearly tradition. “We get a lot of recurring visitors, people who plan their vacations around the Art Walk and who become fast friends with the community,” says Villavicencio, “They walk our streets and visit their favorite spots year after year, taking notice of our new offerings and dropping by to say hi and reminisce about previous trips… It’s all very encouraging, it validates what we’re trying to build here.”
So, are you ready to claim your place among the die-hard fans of the Art-Walk? One thing’s for sure: Getting your share of culture has rarely been this fun.
WHERE: San José del Cabo’s Gallery District
WHEN: Every Thursday from 5–9 p.m., November to June.
ADDITIONAL INFO:
Web: ArtCabo.com
Facebook: The Official Art Walk San José Del Cabo
Instagram: gallerydistrictsjc