Viva El Ganzo: Fun in the Sun
Slated for May 7 – 9, Viva El Gonzo will bring three days of music and art to San Jose del Cabo.
According to the event’s organizers, the “three-day music and arts festival” (the same words used to describe Woodstock) will unfold “in the heart of a tropical oasis in the desert with a protected estuary on one side and the Sea of Cortez on the other.”
El Gonzo Sculpture Garden, set within artfully designed grounds, will serve as the main stage for the musical performances. The open-air venue will offer guests plenty of room to dance, lounge, and soak up the festival’s energy.
Round Rocks, an additional stage located near the main entrance, is a natural amphitheater framed by three massive rock formations that create panoramic viewing levels around a 360-degree stage. Intimate yet expansive, it’s an ideal setting for daytime musical sets.
A short walk from El Gonzo Sculpture Garden and the beach is Crania, where guests “will be transported to a post-apocalyptic world of art and music.” Set against a backdrop of heavy old machinery and reclaimed materials, this space brings a raw vibe to the festival. Crania will host both afternoon and late-night sets.
Festival-goers will also have exclusive access to El Ganzo Beach Club, which offers swimmable waters and a beachfront experience, and Veleros Beach Club, an adjacent oceanfront haven set with comfortable lounge areas and umbrellas.
The festival’s Taste of Cabo, featuring the bold, vibrant flavors of the Baja, ranges from street-style tacos to fresh seafood and locally-inspired cuisine. Viva El Gonzo has partnered with local chefs and purveyors to ensure that dishes showcase the best of locally-sourced ingredients. A wide range of options will be available to meet all dietary preferences, including vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free dishes.
To complement the food, guests can enjoy local craft beers, small-batch kombucha, and zesty cocktails, from margaritas to smoky mezcalitas.
In addition to exploring the charming colonial-era town of San Jose del Cabo, festivalgoers can arrange adventures in the desert, mountains, forest, or sea. Yoga classes and meditation sessions will be offered throughout the weekend.
The festival’s organizers have set targets to reduce the event’s carbon footprint. These measures include:
- Single-use plastic ban inside the venue—the food and beverage program will utilize compostable cutlery, plates, cups, and bowls
- Water refill stations within the venue
- Eco-friendly signage
- Event shuttles to reduce use of taxis, rental cars, etc.
In addition, $5 USD per person will be allocated toward sustainability efforts.
A range of ticket options is available. A one-day general admission ticket local pass starts at $85 USD for Thursday, Friday, or Saturday. A three-day general admission ticket local pass starts at $250 USD. Tax is extra.
Local tickets require in-person verification at will call. The name on the order must match a valid Mexico-issued photo ID at the time of pickup. The event is cashless. All major credit and debit cards accepted. Select vendors may also accept Apple Pay and Android Pay.
For more details and artist lineup, check the website: https://www.vivaelgonzo.com/.