Circus Mexicus & January Jam

About

Arizona-based Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers (RCPM) attract music fans to Rocky Point’s shores yearly for multi-day music festivals. There's no question that Circus Mexicus & January Jam top the list for going with the flow in this corner of the Sea of Cortez.

Circus Mexicus

Circus Mexicus in early June is RCPM's main event in Rocky Point. The four-day music festival brings together diverse bands to perform at venues across the city. The beachside revelry tops it off with two nights from a massive main stage. Americana music aficionados can access the spacious sand-between-your-toes concert venue via the restaurant/bar Banditos on Sandy Beach. After rocking bands warm up the stage before the sun sets, Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers step in as headliners. Circus Mexicus is the perfect early summer vacation getaway to Rocky Point. How do four days of music, sun, friends, cerveza, and tequila sound?

Circus Mexicus 2025 dates are June 5 - 9, 2025.

January Jam

Are you ready to jam in Mexico? January Jam is one of the best ways to reconnect with friends under the Sonoran sky at the start of each new year. In mid-January, RCPM gets back up and does it all over again. Just as lively, January Jam is a more intimate weekend of rock. Music keeps spirits warm under Rocky Point’s blue winter skies. On a smaller scale than the group’s June “Circus,” January Jam also presents a line-up of varied musicians. Music rings out from Rocky Point’s top music venues over multiple days.

January Jam 2025 in Rocky Point will take place Jan. 16 - 19th - MLK Weekend.

RCPM

The rock ‘n roll of Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers fuses dry riffs of the Sonoran desert with the ebb and flow of the Sea of Cortez. The band consists of frontman Roger Clyne, drummer P.H. Naffah, Jim Dalton on lead guitar, and bassist Nick Scropos. Each year, RCPM’s devoted fans, called “peacemakers”, travel from across the U.S. and abroad to the sandy shores of Rocky Point for these best-kept secret music fests.

Circus Mexicus & January Jam: Fun Facts & Cool Features

Roger Clyne and P.H. Naffah first formed the band The Refreshments in the 1990s. Their album “Fizzy, Fuzzy, Big & Buzzy” became a cult classic. The hit “Banditos” off that album now adorns Clyne’s restaurant/bar of the same name. Plus, Clyne is also one of the current partners of the iconic JJ's Cantina in Cholla Bay.

After The Refreshments, Clyne and Naffah brought together classic country vibes and rock for Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers’ debut album, "Honky Tonk Union", in 1999. One year later, a handful of music fans and friends gathered on the rooftop of a Mexican cantina for an impromptu RCPM concert. What started with just a grupito of amigos, now welcomes thousands of Americana rock music fans to the four-day fiesta experience that is Circus Mexicus.

January Jam also started with a spontaneous invitation to a concert. As legend has it, in 2008 RCPM held an eight-day seaside recording session in Cholla Bay, on the western shores of Rocky Point. Songs from that epic week became RCPM’s fifth album, Turbo Ocho. On the 9th day, RCPM welcomed friends to the multi-layered terraces at JJ’s Cantina overlooking the tranquil bay for an amazing song fest.

If you love Americana rock, good energy, fun vibes, and plenty of beach libations, be sure to put these events on your calendar of not-to-miss events in Rocky Point!

Check their website for exact dates, tickets, and general information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Rocky Point, Mexico?

Puerto Peñasco (Rocky Point) is in the northwestern corner of Sonora, Mexico, on the Sea of Cortez. It is approximately 1 hour from the US/Mexico border crossing at the Lukeville Port of Entry. For additional info, visit www.casago.com/lukeville

How far is Rocky Point from Phoenix or Tucson?

Rocky Point is about a 4 hour drive from Phoenix at approximately 220 miles distance.

Similarly, it's about 4 hour drive from Tucson to Rocky Point at 215 miles in distance.

What time does the border close to Rocky Point?

The Lukeville border crossing is open 6 am - 8 pm daily. *Stay alert to possible extended hours.

The Port of Entry at Lukeville-Sonoyta is the most popular crossing point for travelers driving from Arizona.

Is Rocky Point, Mexico safe? Is it safe for Americans to go to Rocky Point?

Generally speaking, Rocky Point, Mexico is considered safe for tourists. It's as secure as most places and has a lower incidence of crime compared to other parts of Mexico. However, like anywhere else, it's important to stay vigilant and follow the law.

Yes, it is safe for Americans to go to Puerto Peñasco. The Federal Highway 8, which leads to Puerto Peñasco, is even designated as a "safety corridor" by Arizona. It's recommended that you drive during the day and use the Lukeville/Sonoyta border for the safest route. The Lukeville border crossing is open daily 6 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Can you swim in Rocky Point, Mexico?

Yes, you can indeed swim in Rocky Point, Mexico. The city is famous for its beautiful beaches along the Sea of Cortez, offering warm waters that are perfect for swimming. As with any beach destination, remember to follow local safety guidelines and avoid swimming in areas not designated for such activities.

What's the difference between Puerto Peñasco and Rocky Point?

The names Puerto Peñasco and Rocky Point refer to the same place on the Sea of Cortez in northern Sonora.

Puerto Peñasco was officially founded in 1928. Historically, when this part of the Sea of Cortez was chartered in 1826, retired British Lt. Robert William Hale Hardy named the spot Rocky Point.

In the 1930s, Mexican President Lazaro Cardenas named the city Puerto Punta Peñasco. "Punta" (point) was later dropped, becoming Puerto Peñasco.

When is the best time to go to Rocky Point, Mexico?

The most pleasant months to visit are from March to May and from September to November. These periods offer more comfortable weather conditions and plenty of activities around town. If you're a beach lover who enjoys warm temperatures, October is considered an excellent time to visit, with high temperatures averaging 88 degrees.

Is Rocky Point open?

Yes. Rocky Point (Puerto Peñasco) is open. The closest border entry is Lukeville, AZ. Border hours are 6 a.m - 8 p.m. daily.

Can you fly to Rocky Point, Mexico?

There is an international airport in Rocky Point, which is only for private and charter planes at this time.

While there have been commercial airlines with flights to cities such as Tijuana and Hermosillo, presently there are no commercial air connections to the area.