One of Baja California’s most anticipated cultural events is back. The Rosarito Artwalk Festival will celebrate its 15th anniversary on May 23 and 24 at CEART facilities in Playas de Rosarito, and best of all, admission is free.
The festival is organized by the Rosarito Tourism and Conventions Committee (Cotuco) and aims to cement itself as a leading cultural force in the region using art as both a social and economic engine.
What began in 2009 as a small gathering of nine local artists has now blossomed into a major regional showcase. This year, more than 80 artists from across Mexico and abroad will take part, turning the seaside city into a vibrant gallery.
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“Playas de Rosarito has beach tourism, but we also want to attract visitors who stay in hotels, visit galleries, and explore cultural centers,” said Benito del Águila, the event’s director, during a press conference. “Artists are economic drivers, too.”
Artists will travel from La Paz, Los Cabos, Oaxaca, Mexicali, and Tijuana, alongside U.S.-based creators. This growing reach, Del Águila noted, has helped boost cultural tourism throughout the municipality.
In a bold binational move, this year’s festival partners with Baja Fringe, linked to the San Diego International Fringe Festival.
In addition, Chicago’s Full Out Formula circus company will deliver a world-class performance, reinforcing cultural exchange across the California border.
Keep reading: Artwalk Rosarito, First Venue in Mexico to Host ‘Baja Fringe’ Project
Visual artist Rocio Hoffman, one of the festival’s founders, remembers the early days well.
“What artists sell is a luxury. No one buys art before groceries or rent. We had to survive, and we had no choice but to create a festival that showed Rosarito’s best face to the world,” she said.
The very first Artwalk was pulled together in just three months with a budget of only $20,000 pesos.
Hoffman emphasized that art drives real economic and social impact.
“Visitors who seek out art appreciate a place more deeply and generate revenue that benefits many families,” she explained. “People don’t always understand that consuming art is also part of the economy. We have to invest in it because it reveals the very best of who we are.”
The local government has taken notice. Irán Leonardo Verdugo Contreras, Secretary of Economic Development and Tourism, called Artwalk Rosarito “an iconic event that has brought together thousands of visitors from across the state and California.”
With a packed agenda featuring exhibitions, stage performances, literature, and family-friendly activities, the festival has solidified its reputation as a cultural cornerstone of Baja California.
For the latest updates on this and other events, follow Cotuco Rosarito on social media. You’ll also find recommendations on where to stay, what to do, and where to eat in Playas de Rosarito.
Website: www.rosarito.org/
Facebook: /rosaritobajanorte
Instagram: @rosarito_baja
