And Mayor Agundez proudly announced it. Really?
A significant portion of the budget for the upcoming festival is allocated to artists’ fees, raising concerns among the community. Mayor Agúndez mentioned that negotiating the best prices was quite challenging, understandably so. Many residents, however, are questioning why such funds aren’t being directed toward critical needs like the water supply and road repairs.
The Cabo San Lucas Madrugadores business group directly addressed these concerns with Municipal Chief Officer Carlos Beltrán, inquiring about key Public Services issues and seeking transparency in the city’s financial expenditures.
In response, Beltrán acknowledged that the financial commitment for the 2025 San José del Cabo Traditional Festival consistently sparks mixed opinions. The debate often comes down to balancing entertainment with essential services such as road maintenance and municipal infrastructure improvements.
He stated that while the artist lineup is confirmed, the event expenses are still being finalized. Beltrán emphasized transparency, noting that negotiations for artist fees resulted in a total expenditure of 50 million pesos (excluding tax). He framed this as a win for local authorities, achieving what he described as the lowest possible cost for such an event. Still, many residents remain skeptical.
Seth Vázquez, coordinator of Grupo Madrugadores, has proposed seeking sponsors for future editions of the festival to reduce the financial burden on the City Council. “These are traditional festivals that should be celebrated,” he said. Some attendees pointed out that these festivals originally began as regional and religious gatherings but have evolved into larger celebrations over the years. Vázquez suggested that sponsorships could help cover costs, reducing the need for city funding.
Meanwhile, the Municipal Treasury authorities have announced that the concerts will be free of charge. Revenue is expected to be generated through the rental of commercial spaces during the festivities.
The festival is set to take place from March 15 to 22.