In addition to national holidays, all sorts of local festivities and special events will perk up day-to-day life in the Lake Chapala region. All lakeshore towns, and even some neighborhoods, pay tribute to their respective spiritual patrons during prolonged celebrations called Fiestas Patronales that commonly involve religious processions, street fairs, music and dancing, feasting, bull-riding contests and fireworks. This abbreviated calendar highlights the dates of major happenings, with specific locations noted where applicable.