You'll find plenty to do in Acapulco—if you can pry yourself away from the beach. The city has numerous lively festivals with traditional Mexican-dance performances. Perhaps the most colorful attractions are the religious festivals occurring throughout the year, especially 12 December, the Virgin of Guadalupe Day, which takes place downtown. Other noteworthy annual events include the Festival Frances in March, which celebrates French films, music, and food. Acapulco Fest is held for two weeks in May with sports, and pop and rock concerts. The music festival Acafes is held in June, and the Acapulco Air Show is in November.

For information about upcoming events in the Acapulco area, contact the Acapulco Convention and Visitors Bureau. Phone 484-5555 or 484-7050. http://www.visitacapulco.com.mx.

The weekly Acapulco News is a good source of information concerning special exhibits, concerts and events (available at most hotels and newsstands). The monthly Acapulco Magazine also contains event listings.

To call any of the phone numbers listed in this calendar from outside Mexico, you must first dial your country's international access code, followed by Mexico's country code, 52, and Acapulco's city code, 744.

Information in this calendar is subject to change and should be confirmed.

September, 2008

16 Sep-Independence Day. Public holiday celebrating Mexico's independence from Spain. Banks and businesses are closed.

October, 2008

12 Oct-Columbus Day. Some businesses are closed.

Early-Late October—Concert. The Acapulco Philharmonic performs regularly at the Juan Ruiz de Alarcon Theatre, Convention Center, Costera Miguel Aleman 4455, and other venues. For information, call 484-6626. http://www.filarmonicadeacapulco.org.mx. Continues through early July 2009

November, 2008

2 Nov-Dia de los Muertos. Public holiday. Day of the Dead, or All Souls' Day. Banks and businesses are closed.

20 Nov-Dia de la Revolucion. Public holiday. Commemorates the outbreak of the Mexican Revolution in 1910. Patriotic parades are held in downtown Acapulco.

Throughout November—Concert. The Acapulco Philharmonic performs regularly at the Juan Ruiz de Alarcon Theatre, Convention Center, Costera Miguel Aleman 4455, and other venues. For information, call 484-6626. http://www.filarmonicadeacapulco.org.mx. Continues through early July 2009

December, 2008

12 Dec-Feast Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe. Public holiday. Mexicans honor their patron saint.

25 Dec-Christmas Day. Public holiday. All banks and businesses are closed.

Mid December—Las Posadas. Candlelit processions to nativity scenes re-enact Joseph and Mary's search for shelter in Bethlehem.

Late December—Acapulco Fair. Children and adults enjoy food, rides, games and shopping at more than 1,000 vendor booths from the week before Christmas to the week after the New Year. Convention Center. Continues through early January 2009

Throughout December—Concert. The Acapulco Philharmonic performs regularly at the Juan Ruiz de Alarcon Theatre, Convention Center, Costera Miguel Aleman 4455, and other venues. For information, call 484-6626. http://www.filarmonicadeacapulco.org.mx. Continues through early July 2009

January, 2009

1 Jan-New Year's Day. Public holiday. A major celebration throughout Mexico. Banks and businesses are closed.

6 Jan-Dia de los Santos Reyes. The Christmas season culminates on this day, when presents are exchanged.

17 Jan-Feast Day of San Antonio de Abad. Animals are blessed in the Roman Catholic churches.

Early January—Acapulco Fair. Children and adults enjoy food, rides, games and shopping at more than 1,000 vendor booths from the week before Christmas to the week after the New Year. Convention Center. Concludes early January

Throughout January—Concert. The Acapulco Philharmonic performs regularly at the Juan Ruiz de Alarcon Theatre, Convention Center, Costera Miguel Aleman 4455, and other venues. For information, call 484-6626. http://www.filarmonicadeacapulco.org.mx. Continues through early July

February, 2009

5 Feb-Constitution Day. Public holiday. Celebrates the signing of the constitution in 1917. Businesses are closed.

19-24 Feb—Carnival. Pre-Lenten festival celebrated throughout Mexico. Downtown Acapulco hosts parades and a king and queen are crowned.

23-28 Feb—Tennis. The Abierto Mexicano de Tenis is an ATP-sponsored tennis championship. For information, call 2167-3121, ext.208. For tickets, call Ticketmaster at 5540-0102. http://www.abiertomexicanodetenis.com.

Mid-Late February—Acapulco Cliff Diving Championships. Divers from around the globe compete in this Professional High Diving Association-sanctioned event at one of the world's most famous and dramatic sites for cliff diving. La Quebrada.

Throughout February—Concert. The Acapulco Philharmonic performs regularly at the Juan Ruiz de Alarcon Theatre, Convention Center, Costera Miguel Aleman 4455, and other venues. For information, call 484-6626. http://www.filarmonicadeacapulco.org.mx. Continues through early July

March, 2009

21 Mar-Benito Juarez's Birthday. Public holiday honoring Mexico's beloved president (1859-72). Banks and businesses are closed.

Throughout March—Concert. The Acapulco Philharmonic performs regularly at the Juan Ruiz de Alarcon Theatre, Convention Center, Costera Miguel Aleman 4455, and other venues. For information, call 484-6626. http://www.filarmonicadeacapulco.org.mx. Continues through early July

April, 2009

9-12 Apr—Easter Holidays. Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday are some of Mexico's biggest public holidays. Banks and businesses are closed.

Throughout April—Concert. The Acapulco Philharmonic performs regularly at the Juan Ruiz de Alarcon Theatre, Convention Center, Costera Miguel Aleman 4455, and other venues. For information, call 484-6626. http://www.filarmonicadeacapulco.org.mx. Continues through early July

May, 2009

1 May—Labor Day. Public holiday. Workers parade through the streets. Banks and businesses are closed.

5 May-Cinco de Mayo. Public holiday. Celebration of Mexico's 1862 victory over the French troops. Banks and businesses are closed.

Early May—Acapulco International Film Fest. Open-air screenings of international films. Various venues. http://www.ficaacapulco.com.

Throughout May—Concert. The Acapulco Philharmonic performs regularly at the Juan Ruiz de Alarcon Theatre, Convention Center, Costera Miguel Aleman 4455, and other venues. For information, call 484-6626. http://www.filarmonicadeacapulco.org.mx. Continues through early July

June, 2009

1 Jun-Navy Day. Commemorated in all Mexican seaports.

Throughout June—Concert. The Acapulco Philharmonic performs regularly at the Juan Ruiz de Alarcon Theatre, Convention Center, Costera Miguel Aleman 4455, and other venues. For information, call 484-6626. http://www.filarmonicadeacapulco.org.mx. Continues through early July

July, 2009

DATE ERROR - COULD NOT IDENTIFY THE PROPER EXTRACT FORMAT FOR THE EVENT DATE—Concert. The Acapulco Philharmonic performs regularly at the Juan Ruiz de Alarcon Theatre, Convention Center, Costera Miguel Aleman 4455, and other venues. For information, call 484-6626. http://www.filarmonicadeacapulco.org.mx. Continues through early July

August, 2009

15 Aug-Feast of the Assumption. Public holiday.

Throughout August—Concert. The Acapulco Philharmonic performs regularly at the Juan Ruiz de Alarcon Theatre, Convention Center, Costera Miguel Aleman 4455, and other venues. For information, call 484-6626. http://www.filarmonicadeacapulco.org.mx. Continues through mid December