The Madrugadores Group (Early Risers Group) recently called for urgent action to create more cultural spaces in Cabo San Lucas to preserve its history and strengthen its identity as a tourist destination.
Local experts in Los Cabos and BCS history highlighted that San Lucas has only a natural history museum and a few cultural venues, such as the Cultural Pavilion, which faces serious infrastructure problems limiting its operation.
Seth Vázquez, coordinator of the Madrugadores Group, explained that since 2022, efforts have been made to establish a board of trustees to ensure proper management of cultural spaces. However, these efforts have yet to succeed. The group now seeks to meet with newly elected Mayor Christian Agúndez to push the initiative forward.
Notably, experts and historians failed to acknowledge that Cabo San Lucas has never experienced a cultural renaissance of theater or music. Unlike Mexico City, it lacks a strong tradition of theatrical or musical productions. In contrast, San José del Cabo has a history of cultural events that draw a loyal local audience for theatrical arts, music, and heritage celebrations.
“We believe the Pavilion is the ideal space, it’s already built. A board of trustees must be formed to host a museum, performances, and concerts. It’s urgent,” said Vázquez.
He added, “The University of the Gulf of California submitted a proposal in 2022 but never received a response. There has been no follow-up. We are eager to speak with the mayor, as he pledged during his campaign to promote the Pavilion’s board of trustees.”
During the last administration, city officials announced that the Cabo San Lucas City Council would manage the Cultural Pavilion and create a board of trustees for its proper operation. However, to date, no remodeling plans have been presented, and it remains unclear who is responsible for the venue’s management.
The Pavilion hosted the Los Cabos International Film Festival in its early years, rolling out the red carpet for Hollywood stars such as Nicole Kidman, Dennis Quaid, Michael Peña, Jared Leto, Ewan McGregor, Liam Neeson, Reese Witherspoon, Rosario Dawson, Diego Luna, Matt Dillon, Edward Norton, Gael García Bernal, Oliver Stone, Robert De Niro, and Esai Morales.
Founded in 2012 by Scott Cross, Sean Cross, Eduardo Sanchez Navarro, Alfonso Pasquel, and Juan Gallardo, the festival thrived at the Pavilion. The venue also hosted Cabo Comic-Con from 2012 until its final event in 2019, drawing families, teens, and even grandparents with its inclusive atmosphere.
Over the years, the Pavilion has seen mariachi performances, comedy shows, and theatrical productions, but none consistently drew large crowds. As the famous line from Field of Dreams goes, “If you build it, they will come” but only if there are events worth attending.
Los Cabos has young people passionate about the arts, from musicians learning to play to children performing in school plays. With a growing population of American and Canadian retirees, English-language events could also be an attractive option. The question remains: Will the city finally invest in culture to meet this demand?