| Official Holidays of Costa Rica _____________________________ January 1: New Year's Day March / April: Easter April 11: Juan Santa Maria Day May 1 Labour Day July 25: Day of the Annexation of Guanacaste August 2: Costa Rica Honor of the Patron Saint, The Virgin Los Ángeles 15 August: Mother's Day 15 September: Day Independencia 02 November: All Souls' Day December 25: Christmas Day |
| Carnivals, Fiestas, Parades, Holidays and Eco-events of Costa Rica JANUARY January 1st -- New Year’s Day Celebrations. Fireworks light up the country on this national holiday, and street parties lure locals with music, dancing and food. In San Jose, festivities are centered around downtown and in the Zapote district. Country-wide. January 6th -- Three Wise Men - Three King's Day. The day of three Wise Men is the equivalent of the European day of Three Kings. Families and neighbors meet each other and pray over shrines built in front of their houses. Early January: Palmares Fiestas. Two weeks of concerts, bullfighting, folkloric dancing, carnival, music, rides and general debauchery. Palmares. Week of January 15th -- Alajuelita Fiestas Honors the Black Christ of Esquipulas, Alajuelita's Patron Saint, with ox-cart parade, procession to huge iron cross on the mountain and more. January 15th -- Santa Cruz Fiestas Folk dancing, marimbas and bullfighting continuing for up to a week. Middle of January -- Copa del Cafe. Week-long tennis tournament held at the Costa Rica Country Club San Jose. January -- The music festival in Monteverde Every year (since 1993) A music festival is held in Monteverde. There are national and international artists that perform different music styles. Exact dates vary each year but it is generally in January. Eco-Events for JANUARY --- Leatherback Turtles lay their eggs at Playa Grande The coffee picking season continues. Humpback Whales appear in the vicinity of Cano island. FEBRUARY 1st week of February -- San Isidro del General Fiestas. Cattle Exhibit, agricultural and industrial fairs, bullfights and flower exhibition. An agricultural fair with flower shows, bullfighting and traditional livestock competitions complete with prizes. San Isidro (San Jose). And late February in Rey Curre (Boruca). Late February -- Fiesta of the Diablitos. South of San Isidro del General in Boruca Indian Village of Rey Curre, it's a re-creation of the fight between Indians (diablitos) and the Spanish (a bull), where colorful wooden masks and costumes create the scene, dances and fireworks. Sale of crafts and the Fair of National and Imported Products. Last week of February -- Puntarenas Carnival. Week-long fun in the sun. A lively, 24/7 two week celebration with food, music, rides and beer. Puntarenas. [Puntarenas Carnival 2011 will be held from February 10th to the 29th] February 13-16 CENAC Summer Festival. Free storytelling, theater, movies and other entertainment at the National Cultural Center. San Jose. Final Week of February -- Sun Festival. Annual celebration of the Mayan New Year (February 25), fire ceremony and a gathering to promote solar power. Final Week of February -- Liberia Fiestas. Guanacaste folklore and traditions are celebrated with music, rides and concerts. February-March: Monteverde Music Festival. Beloved national musicians perform. Monteverde. Eco-Events for FEBRUARY--- The last month of coffee picking season. The last month Leatherback Turtles lay eggs in Playa Grande. The Scarlet Macaws continue laying the eggs this month. The Humpback Whales are still hanging out at Cano island. MARCH 1st week in March -- Bonanza Cattle Show. Bullfights, horse races, rodeos and other macho events geared toward the nation’s cowboys. Second Sunday in March -- Dia de los Boyeros. Otherwise known as the Day of the Oxcart Driver, this colorful celebration features traditional parades and exquisitely-painted oxcarts on display. Escazu (San Jose). Mid-March (Even-Numbered Years) -- International Arts Festival. A central exhibition of first-class art, performance theater and dance. San Jose and surrounds. Mid-March -- Fruit Festival. Honoring the country’s myriad fruits and their accompanying recipes. Taste-testing offered for many unique recipes. Orotina (Alajuela). Mid-March, usually 15th -- National Orchid Show. More than 300 species of orchids (including rare native species) are displayed each year; the best win coveted first-place ribbons. San Jose. Mid-March -- Ujarras Church Pilgrimage. An annual pilgrimage to Costa Rica’s first church. Country-wide. March 19: San Jose Day. (St. Joseph's Day) Fairs, Catholic masses, bullfights and plenty of street food mark the feast of Saint Joseph, which is celebrated throughout Costa Rica. Third Weekend in March -- International Food Fair. Proceeds benefit social causes. Coronado (San Jose). March-April -- Caribbean Music Festival. Caribbean beats and culture. Playa Chiquita (Limon). Eco-Events for MARCH --- The beginning of the Quetzal's incubation period. The Scarlet Macaws continue to lay eggs in March. Humback Whales can still be seen around Cano Island. APRIL March or April, exact start date varies -- Holy Week Huge processions in all parts of country during Easter week. San Jose virtually shuts down Holy Thursday to Easter Sunday. Costa Ricans take their Holy Week seriously, but not always religiously – travel peaks during this week, and even the most humble hotels can fill up months in advance. The country’s more traditional residents celebrate with religious parades through the streets and wide-scale worship. Locals often disguise themselves as religious figures. The most spectacular procession is considered to be in San Joaguin de Flores. It`s the free week used by "Ticos" for going out to the beaches. In the vicinity of Cartago, the pumpkin-like Chiverre is prepared the Easter`s jams and preserves. April 11th -- Juan Santamaría Day Commemorates Costa Rica's national hero, Juan Santamaria, the barefoot soldier who gave his life in the battle against William Walker's troops in 1856. Week-long celebrations with marching bands, parades, concerts, and dances. The parades and dances are organized around the Central Park in Alajuela. Last Week of April University Week. Exhibits, parades, live music and more. It`s a kind of students spring break during the "free week". University of Costa Rica (San Jose). Eco-Events for APRIL --- Quetzals, Yep, still incubating..... The Scarlet Macaws finish laying eggs this month. Apparently the Humpback Whales have nothing better to do so they hang out at Cano Island so YOU can take their picture! MAY May 1 -- Labor Day President gives annual "state of the union" address to Congress, election of Congressmen. Many parades and marches and a day off from work. May 1st -- Puerto Limon Fiestas Picnics, dances, cricket matches and dominoes. 1st week in May -- San Jose Arts and Crafts Fair Large arts and crafts fair in downtown San Jose offering items attractive to both tourists and locals. May 15th -- Escazu - San Isidro Labrador's Day In San Isidro and all over the country. Celebrations honor the Patron Saint of farmers and farm animals with blessings of animals and crops, parades and fairs. May 17th -- Carrera de San Juan San Juan Day, the biggest marathon of year, with runners covering a tough 22.5 km. course. May 29th -- Corpus Christi Day Religious celebration. A religious festival that warrants a day off from work. Country-wide. Eco-Events for May --- Quetzals incubation period continues JUNE June 29th --Saints Peter & Paul Day Saints Peter and Paul Day. Religious celebrations to honor the Catholic saints Paul and Peter. Country-wide. June, exact date varies -- Yacht competitions in Flamingo The International Yacht Competitions take place. Eco-Events for JUNE --- The end of Quetzals incubation period, hatching begins! Green Sea Turtles in Gandoca-Manzanillo Reserve begin laying their eggs. JULY July 25th -- Guanacaste Day Celebrates the annexation of the "Partido de Nicoya" in 1824, known today as the province of Guanacaste, with fiestas, folk dances, topes, cattle shows, bullfights, and concerts. July 16th -- Fiesta of the Virgin of the Sea (closest Saturday to the 15th) Food, music and parades mark the celebration of Puntarenas’s patron saint, La Virgen del Monte Carmelo. Festivities on land center on Paseo de la Touristas where Michale's Surfside Hotel is located. There is a regatta of decorated and lighted boats and yachts in The Gulf of Nicoya Bay supported by special masses. concerts, dances and fireworks. It was first organized in 1913, July 25th -- Annexation of Guanacaste Day Costa Ricans celebrate the day that Guanacaste province chose their nation over neighboring Nicaragua in 1824. The biggest celebrations – bullfighting, parades and plenty of drinking, fireworks, shows, horse and cattle fairs and concerts of Marimbas. – are centered in Liberia, Guanacaste’s capital city. Also Country-wide. Eco-Events for JULY --- Nancite fruits begin to appear in the fruit and vegetable markets. Green Sea Turtles lay eggs in the Gandoca-Manzanillo Reserve. In Ostional National Reserve the Olive Ridley turtles lay their eggs. Late July -- Mango Fiestas. Alajuela is called the City of Mangos, and every July, the town celebrates its heritage with crafts, parades, music and plenty of mango refreshments. Mangos are at their best during this season but new varieties make mangoes more available longer and earlier than ever before. AUGUST August 2nd -- Cartago - Virgin of Los Angeles Honors Costa Rica's Patron Saint, "La Negrita" with nationwide pilgrimage and religious processions on foot or on their knees to the Los Angeles Basilica in Cartago to pay honor to Costa Rica's "Black Virgin". Also Country-wide. August 15th -- The Mothers Day August 30th -- San Ramon Day (Alajuela) A religious procession of 30 Saints from neighboring towns come to visit the Patron Saint, who lives in the town of the same name - San Ramon goes dancing through the streets, and locals love the parades and fun. Eco-Events for AUGUST --- Green Sea Turtles continue laying their eggs in the Tortuguero National Park. It`s the second month when Nancite fruit is available in local produce markets. Olive Ridley Turtles continue laying eggs in the Ostional Reserve. SEPTEMBER September 14th,15th -- Costa Rican Independence Day (And most of the rest of Central America) The ceremonies start on September 14th at 6 p.m. and continue throughout the next day. Traveling south from Guatemala, the flame of independence or "Freedom Torch", arrives in Cartago on this day. It`s called also "The Day of Fiestas and Lanterns". It`s a tradition that in the evening, the children go out with lanterns painted in national colours("faroles").. It recalls the events when the arrival of independence was announced with bells. So people lighted their way from home with lanterns and candles to hear the news. Parades, marching bands, parties, and celebrations 3rd Week of September -- International Beach Clean-Up Day. A more modern celebration, this day joins locals and visitors together to keep Costa Rica beautiful. Beach towns. Eco-Events for SEPTEMBER --- In Ostional Reserve the Olive Ridley turtles continue laying their eggs. OCTOBER October 9th -- San Isidro del General Celebrates anniversary of San Isidro's founding. October 12th -- Puerto Limon - Limon Carnival Columbus Day is celebrated in style in the port city with week-long street dances, parades, concerts - it's "Mardi Gras" to a Caribbean beat. October 12th -- The Day of Culture "The Day of the Culture" used to be named Colombus Day or the Day of Races or Dia de la Raza. In recognition of Costa Rica`s multicultural legacy. It`s held on the anniversary of when the Columbus discovered, in 1492, the first island of the American Continents. It commemorates the diverse of cultures and traditions in Costa Rica. It consists of traditional Indians dances and ceremonies. There are festivals and conferences. October 12th -- Corn Festival, Corn Queen Pagent Tres Rios Fair, Also called Virgen del Pilar's Day. Fair in Tres Rios celebrating their Patron Saint with parade and costumes made entirely of corn husks, grain, and silks. Early to Mid-October: Puerto Viejo Carnival. Seven days of Caribbean parties, complete with dancers, parades, live music and Mardi Gras-style decadence. Puerto Viejo. Eco-Events for OCTOBER --- The Thunderbolts at Cano island. October begins the thunderstorm season around Cano island. The Leatherback turtles start laying eggs on Playa Grande. In Playa Nancite (within the Santa Rosa National Park) the Olive Ridley turtles begin laying their eggs. In Ostional Reserve the Olive Ridley turtles continue laying their eggs. NOVEMBER November 1st -- All Saints Day November 2nd -- All Souls Day Day of the dead is observed with family visits to cemeteries to put flowers on loved ones' graves. Costa Rica’s version of Mexico’s famous Día de los Muertos has people paying their respects to lost loved ones. Traditions connected with the holiday include building private altars honoring the deceased using sugar skulls, marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed and visiting graves with these as gifts. The Day of the Dead is a time of celebration when eating and partying are common. Due to occurring shortly after Halloween, the Day of the Dead is sometimes thought to be a similar holiday, although the two are celebrated differently. Scholars trace the origins of the modern holiday to indigenous observances dating back thousands of years and to an Aztec festival dedicated to a goddess called Mictecacihuatl. Mid-November --Central Valley --Coffee Picking Contest Coffee picking contest, music and dancing accompany the contest. Mid-November, dates vary --San Jose International Arts Festival Plays, street theater and other entertainment. Art fairs and craft markets. Art exibits. Late November -- Oxcart Parade. Similar to March’s Oxcart Driver Day, this celebration honors Costa Rica’s long oxcart and agricultural traditions. San Jose and various other locations. Eco-Events for NOVEMBER --- In November, Cano island continues to be bombarded by an unusual number of thunderbolts and lightening. More than anywhere in Central America. In Playa Nancite (within the Santa Rosa National Park) Olive Ridley turtles lay their eggs. Leatherback turtles continue laying the eggs in Playa Grande In Ostional Reserve the Olive Ridley turtles continue to lay eggs. DECEMBER First Week -- Lights Fiesta. Fireworks displays and live concerts start this month-long Christmas celebration of lights, lights and even more lights. Early December -- Christmas Celebrations Begin. Decorations have been up for months, but Costa Ricans really begin to celebrate in early December. This is the best time to begin making tamales – each family has its own recipe. The long preparation process produces one-of-a-kind treats that are distributed as gifts to friends and neighbors. Country-wide. Week of December 8th -- Fiesta de los Negritos A festive combination of traditional indigenous celebrations and Catholic rituals. Held in the Indian village of Boruca, an ancient Indian ritual is combined with honoring the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception. Extravagant costumes, music of drum and flute, dance. December 8th -- Gunpowder Day. Fireworks help to honor the Lady of the Immaculate Conception. Girls are on the habit of going out with white, starched skirts. San Antonio de Belen (Heredia) and country-wide 2nd week of December -- Aguinaldo Ticos decorate their houses with the strings of colorful lights and cypress twigs. More or less in that period the government offers to the laborer, special bonuses (so called, "aguinaldo") for Christmasmas gifts. Christmas was celebrated for the first time in Costa Rica in 1601. Locals make "portales" (cribs) that feature the scenes from Jesus Christ's birth. They are usually put in the centre part of the rooms. Mid-December, dates vary -- The race of "Vuelta de Costa Rica" On December takes place the 12-days long bicycle race around Costa Rica. December 12th --Fiesta de la Yeguita (Little Mare) Processions, bullfights, fireworks, concerts. Nicoya. A parade to celebrate the Virgin of Guadalupe, and its accompanying dancing, food and fireworks, concerts and bullfights. Nicoya (Guanacaste). December 15th -- Beginning of Caroling Season -- Las Posadas Christmas carolers begin to sing door-to-door, often to raise money for local charities and are treated to refreshments. Country-wide. December 16th -- Joseph & Mary Neighbours get together and play Joseph and Marias on the way to Bethlehem. They sing the carols, eat tamales and drink the alcoholic liquor Rompopo(EggNog). December 22nd --The Portales competition Costa Ricans have an organized competition for the most beautiful portales(cribs. creches, manger scene, etc.). December 24th -- Christmas Eve Traditionally, families attend a large mass on Christmas Eve and eat their holiday dinner at midnight(Solemn Supper). Presents are usually opened on December 24th. The season's foods include coconut "melcochas" (candy), "chicha" (heady brew from corn), tamales, "rompope" (EggNog), imported apples and grapes, grapefruit and other citrus. December 25th -- Christmas Day Under the Christmas Tree (cypress or dry coffee branches) are put the cribs and the gifts (Costa Rican children believe that the gifts are brought by Jesus). They are opened at midnight. Jesus is then put in the cradle of the manger. Ticos eat lots of apples and grapefruits during this season. There is the traditional, solemn supper. On that day, at midnight some people participate in the "The Mass of the Rooster" (misa de gallo) because it is thought that the Rooster would have been the first animal to have seen the baby Jesus after he was born late the previous night. December 26th -- El Tope. The famous horse parade strolls through the center of San Jose, and the well-trained animals perform amazing footwork. December 27 -- San Jose Carnival. A huge carnival with large floats, live music and a very happy atmosphere. December 25th to 31st (sometimes longer) -- Zapote Fiestas -- Festejos Populares (Year-end Festivals) The Zapote Fairgrounds transform from tranquil farmer’s market to a free-for-all party offering amusement park rides, fair and street food, inflatable megabars, bullfighting and far too much alcohol. December 30 thru January 2nd -- Los Diablitos Festival Fireside reenactment of Spanish-Indigenous battles using mood music and traditional masks. Boruca and other locations. December 27th -- Carnival Once again, downtown San Jose is the scene of a huge wonderful parade with incredible floats and music. Eco-Events for DECEMBER --- December is the beginning of the coffee harvest and Ticos start picking the red ripened coffee bean fruit. Humpbacks arrive in the vicinity of Cano island all the way from Alaska. Cano Island Thunder and Lightening activity continue, the largest electrical storm activity in Central America. On Playa Nancite the Olive Ridley turtles continue laying eggs. The Leatherback turtles continue laying their eggs on Playa Grande *** Note: Many small towns have celebrations on different dates than the primary functions.*** |
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