March 2019 Events in Sonora, Mexico

The Lenten season begins on Ash Wednesday, March 6. Before Lent, carnavals are celebrated in Guaymas and Puerto Penasco to enjoy parties before the onset of the Lenten season.

During Lent, many of Sonora’s indigenous groups hold ceremonies, processions and other observances that culminate in the last week before Easter Sunday, Semana Santa, in April.

For example, in some Mayo and Yaqui pueblos a “Conti” is held every Friday during Lent, when fariseos, church representatives and the community gather for a reunion and procession to the stations of the cross.

Other notable events during March include the International Film Festival in Alamos and the Vino Litoral wine festival in San Carlos.

1 – 5

Carnaval Internacional de Guaymas 2019
February 28 – March 5
Guaymas

Starting on February 28, this big annual pre-Lenten carnaval in the coastal city of Guaymas features parades, concerts, food, art exhibits and other activities to celebrate the final days before the beginning of Lent. More information

1 – 3

Viva Peñasco 2019 Carnaval
March 1 – 3
Puerto Peñasco

Enjoy a parade every afternoon, concerts, art, food and other fun things to celebrate carnaval in the El Mirador area of the coastal city of Puerto Peñasco. More information

6

Ash Wednesday

The beginning of Lent, 46 days before Easter, when many Sonorans will go to church to receive a blessing with a cross of ashes on their forehead. Lent is a sacred time in Sonora, a time of sacrifice and religious observance, especially for many of the indigenous groups.

8 – 9

23rd Anniversary of XEETCH
Etchojoa

Indigenous radio station XEETCH, the “Voice of the Three Rivers” in Etchojoa, Sonora, celebrates its 23rd anniversary on March 8 and 9 with vendors of art and crafts, authors, healers, religious artifacts, dancers, traditional food kitchens and performances.

9 

Vino Litoral 2018
Marinaterra Hotel & Spa
San Carlos

An event that promotes the culture of wine and seafood. The second annual edition of this event will be one day instead of two and will again feature wines from Sonora and Baja California wineries, food from local restaurants, art exhibitions and various conferences and workshops.

Tickets cost 500 pesos and are available for purchase at the Marinaterra in San Carlos, La Cubiella in Hermosillo and La Cullita restaurants in Ciudad Obregon, Navojoa and Huatabampo. Proceeds from the the event will benefit: Estoy Contigo Guaymas IAP, Fundación LYRI México sin Lyme Ni Rickettsia and la Fundación de Maquilas Tetakawi.

10

Festival del Garbanzo 2019
Masiaca

A cultural festival to celebrate the garbanzo bean, a mainstay of the local economy. The festival features traditional food and drink, art and crafts made by local artisans and various displays and expositions. More information.

14 – 17

Festival Internacional de Cine Álamos Mágico
Alamos

An international film festival held every March in the beautiful Southern Sonoran pueblo of Alamos, Sonora. More information.

15

Rocka Fest y Estudio 69
Puerto Peñasco

A celebration of music on the Malecón in Rocky Point. More information.

15 – 17

Bacanora Fest
Rosario

This festival in the pueblo of Rosario (located northeast of Ciudad Obregon) will feature demonstrations and displays, music, food, and of course, the traditional Sonoran spirit Bacanora. More information.

16 – 17

Por los Caminos de Kino
On the paths of Kino
13th Edition
Biosphere Reserve of El Pinacate and Gran Desierto de Altar

A weekend camping outing in with a cultural and historic focus on Jesuit missionary Father Eusebio Francisco Kino. Participants will listen to lectures and experience art presented by members of the Tohono O’odham Nation, in addition to watching documentaries about the life and work of Father Kino. Presented by Cultura Arte Peñasco, the Tohono O’odham nation, the Historical Studies Foundation and the Municipal Institute of Culture and the Arts, part of the XXIII City Council of Puerto Peñasco. More information.

17 – 24

ExpoGan Imuris
Imuris

Short for Exposición Ganadera (Livestock Exposition), ExpoGans are common festivals in Sonora, with the largest held in Hermosillo in May and June. The Imuris fiestas will include live music and displays, cultural exhibits, dancing horses, a rodeo, the coronation of the queen of the ExpoGan, and cockfighting.

19

Fiestas of the Patron Saint of San José de Bácum
Bácum
Rosario Tecopaco

21 

Natalicio de Benito Juarez – Benito Juarez’s Birthday (observed on Monday, March 19)
A national public holiday, celebrated on March 21.

Benito Juarez went from humble beginnings as a Zapotec Indian to become Mexico’s only indigenous president. Juarez enacted many social advancements, such as establishing free and mandatory education and establishing the separation of church and state, and is often referred to as the Abraham Lincoln of Mexican presidents.

First Day of Spring
National Mexican holiday

To commemorate the birthday of Benito Juarez and herald the arrival of Spring, in some cities such as Caborca, children dress in festive costumes and parade down one of the town’s main streets.

Orquesta Filarmónica de Sonora
Música de Cine II
Plaza Jesús García
Nacozari de García

In its first concert of the Orchestral Season 2019, the Sonora Philharmonic Orchestra will present “Movie Music II,” a free concert in the plaza of the Sonora pueblo Nacozari de García.

25 – April 1

Festival Cultural Profesor Enrique Quijada Parra
Ures
Please note: at time of publication no information had been posted for the 2019 festival.
An annual cultural festival held in and around Plaza Zaragoza in Ures, Sonora. More information.

29 – 30

8th Anniversary of the Filibusteros Bikers
Plaza de Armas
Caborca

Once again, this Caborca motorcycle club will host an anniversary celebration in Caborca’s Plaza de Armas. The event will feature music, food, drinks, fun and lots of motorcycles. More information.

29 – 31

Kermés de la Primavera – Spring Bazaar
Hermosillo

A springtime festival in Hermosillo’s main square, Plaza Zaragoza, with carnival rides, food and more. The event is from 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. on the three days.