APR 3-7: International Guitar Festival of Morelia (Festival Internacional de Guitarra de Morelia)–Morelia, Michoacan. Michoacan, with its rich musical traditions and home to one of the oldest conservatories in Latin America, is the perfect host for this popular guitar festival. The program features recitals, contests, conferences, seminars and expositions, with local as well as international artists participating from Venezuela, Chile, Germany, Spain, Argentina, Cuba and the Czech Republic. For more information, please visit: www.figmorelia.com

APR 7-23: Mexico City’s Fair (Festival de la Ciudad de Mexico) — Mexico City. One of the main events in Mexico City taking place at the Sports Palace (Palacio de los Deportes) with great surprises and entertainment for the entire family. This fair, organized by OCESA, includes many attractions that kids and grown-ups will love, like the circus, go karts, amusement park rides, and an incredible Musical Forum that will include many artists like Merengazo 21, Banda Old Days, Sonora Santanera de Carlos Colorado, Conjunto Costa Azul de Rigo Tovar, and much more. The cost of admission is $35 pesos p/p. For more information, please visit: http://www.ocesa.com.mx/

APR 9-16: Sardine Fishing Ritual (Pesca de la Sardina)–Tacotalpa, Tabasco. In the picturesque village of Tapijulapa, an enchanting cavern known as the Cave of the Sardines (Cueva de la Sardina) is the site of an annual religious ritual with prehispanic roots. The ritual involves fishing for sardines for the purpose of imploring Mother Nature to bring sufficient rain for the crops. The more sardines caught during the ceremony, the better the harvest will be. Cultural festivities are celebrated prior to the ritual, starting on March 13 to the 19.

APR 9-16: Holy Week (Semana Santa)–Nationwide. Beginning with Palm Sunday and ending with Easter Sunday, the week’s religious celebrations include reenactments of the events leading up to Christ’s crucifixion. The most renowned celebrations are held in Mexico City, Patzcuaro, San Luis Potosi, Zacatecas, San Cristobal de las Casas and Taxco.

APR 15-MAY 13: San Marcos Fair (Feria de San Marcos)–Aguascalientes, Aguascalientes State. A colorful three-week festival featuring handicrafts, bullfights, folk dancing, games, cockfights, fireworks, cultural events and local cuisine. The National Poetry Prize and a traditional competition of typical dress also take place during this international celebration.

APR 7-16: Cultural Festival of Zacatecas (Festival Cultural de Zacatecas)–Zacatecas, Zacatecas State. This festival features displays of literature, dance, theater, music and art in several venues throughout Zacatecas State. http:// www.zacatecas.gob.mx/agendacultural05.htm

APR 8-15: Polo Tournament “Gran Copa Agua Alta” Costa Careyes, Puerto Vallarta, JaliscoCosta Careyes is located 2 and a half hours south of Puerto Vallarta and a little more than an hour north of Manzanillo International Airport on the Mexican Pacific Coast, on the famous Costalegre. For more information about this event, please visit: http://www.mexicopolo.com/

APR 20-30: Newport Beach Film Festival, Rosarito Baja California Norte. Each Spring, Newport Beach rolls out the red carpet during its annual Film Festival showcasing hundreds of features, short films, documentaries and animation movies from around the world. In addition to film screenings, the festival includes several galas and yacht parties, as well as offers the rare opportunity to interact with directors and screenwriters during question and answer sessions that provide an inside look into the film industry. www.NewportBeachFilmFest.com

APR 28-30: 59th Annual Newport Beach to Ensenada International Yacht Race–Ensenada, Baja California. Yachting competition originating in Newport Beach, California to Ensenada with more than 50 participating yachts, featuring a festival and ceremony upon their arrival in Ensenada.

TBD: Xalapa Fair (Feria de Xalapa)–Xalapa, Veracruz. Referred to as the Athens of Veracruz, the capital city of Xalapa is bursting with culture. The Xalapa fair dates back to the 18th century and offers a variety of artworks, handicrafts and unique products from the region at excellent prices. The fair features activities for all ages.

APR 28-MAY 14: Tabasco Fair 2006 (Feria de Tabasco 2006) –Parque Villahermosa, Tabasco. Famous for its Olmec artifacts, Villahermosa Park hosts this colorful state fair where 17 counties share their best in cuisine, arts and crafts. Visitors can also enjoy the colorful boat parade over the Grijalva River and the outdoor theater in the evenings where plays are presented by each county. From April 28 to May 14, some prior festivities take place such as beauty contestants, street band performances and car and boats parades. www.tabasco.gob.mx

APR 22: Rosarito-Ensenada Fun Ride, Rosarito Beach, Baja California. Head south of the border with 10,000 of your closest amigos for this fun ride along the Pacific Coast and inland through rural countryside from Rosarito Beach to Ensenada, Mexico. The event course is 50 miles of paved highway on the old Free Road from Rosarito Beach south to the city of Ensenada. Avid cyclists should finish in two hours, with the average time to complete being 4 1/2 hours. www.rosaritoensenada.com

APR 22-30: San Marcos Fair (Feria de San Marcos)—Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas: A popular fair dedicated to the patron saint of the Capital City of Chiapas. The traditional elements will stand out, such as the processions in which they carry offerings named somés, made with leaves, fruits and candy. For more information, please call: (01152) 961 602 52 98.

APR 30: Children’s Day (Día de los Niños) — Mexico City: Celebrated in schools across Mexico, April 30 is recognized as el Día del Niño, or Children’s Day. Mexican niños receive cakes, candies and gifts. With more than six million children living in the city, Mexico City features a wide variety of attractions for children. For more information, please visit: www.defiestaeneldf.com.