Cultural Festivals

Costa Rican Festival Calendar
Catholicism is the main religion of Costa Rica and as it’s usually the case in Latin America, it reflects in the celebrations that are held throughout the year. Typical "fiestas" take place country-wide all year long and depending on which location you find yourself purchasing your real estate property in, you may find yourself enjoying a turno (local festival) in honor of the town’s patron saint. These turnos generally feature lots of good food, music, rides, "topes" (horse parades) and Tico-style bullfights (in which the bull is baited, but not harmed in the least).

Buyowner Costa Rica has put together a calendar of some of the main celebrations and festivals that take place across the year for your use. This way, you’ll always be informed about the goings-on of the local and won’t miss out on the fun!

JANUARY
Palmares Fiestas – 2nd and 3rd week of January
Includes dancing, carnival, music, rides, bullfighting and its very famous ‘tope’. This is one of the biggest events in Costa Rica, with people traveling from many different countries just to join in the party.
Alajuelita Fiestas - week of January 15th.  
This local celebration honors the Black Christ of Esquipulas, Alajuelita's Patron Saint, with ox-cart parades, processions to huge iron cross on the mountain, dancing, rides and more.
Santa Cruz Fiestas - week of January 15th.  
This festival is similar to Palmares but on a much smaller scale. This doesn’t mean, however, that Santa Cruzeños don’t know how to have fun! On the contrary, the celebrations include folk dancing, marimbas, rides, carnival, a fair and bullfighting.
Copa del Café - Middle of January
Week-long tennis tournament held at the Costa Rican Country Club (San Jose) where international participants are under age 18 and come from all over the world to try out their skills.

FEBRUARY
San Isidro del General Fiestas - First week of February
Includes cattle exhibit, agricultural and industrial fairs, bullfights and flower exhibitions.
Fiesta of the Diablitos (Little Devils) - late February.
South of San Isidro del General in the Boruca Indian Village of Rey Curre, the locals celebrate a recreation of the fight between the natives (diablitos) and the Spanish (represented by a bull), where colorful wooden masks and costumes create the scene and include dances and fireworks. There is also a big sale of crafts as well as a fair of national and imported products.

Carnival of Puntarenas – last week of February
Lasting a whole week, this carnival involves heavy duty dancing, as well as concerts, a large fair and many other attractions right there next to the sea.

MARCH
Dia de los Boyeros (Oxcart Driver's Day) in Escazú - Second Sunday of March
Held in San Antonio of Escazu, make sure you don't miss the colorful parade of oxcarts, competitions and the blessing of the animals and crops by local priests.  
National Orchid Show - Mid-March.
Being the national flower, you will be able to be enchanted by the beauty of the orchids in his amazing display of blossoms, showcasing over 500 local and foreign species as well as many hybrids.
Saint Joseph's (San José) Day - March 19th
Religious celebration in all the neighborhoods holding the name of San José, with fairs and special Masses.
Ujarras - Middle of March
A religious procession leaving from Cartago to the ruins of Ujarras, the first church in Costa Rica.
Holy Week (Easter) - March or April
You can expect huge processions in all parts of country during Easter week. San José virtually shuts down from Thursday to Easter Sunday. No alcoholic beverages are sold during these 4 days as well.  
Juan Santamaría Day - April 11th
This holiday commemorates Costa Rica's national hero, the barefoot soldier who gave his life in the battle against William Walker's invading troops in 1856. You can expect week-long celebrations with marching bands, parades, concerts and dances.

MAY
Labor Day - May 1st  
During this holiday, school band marches are held, the President of Costa Rica gives the annual "state of the union" address to Congress and Congressmen are elected.
Carrera de San Juan (Saint John Race) - May 17th
During this day, the biggest marathon of year is held, with runners covering a tough 22.5 km course.

JUNE
Saints Peter and Paul Day - June 29th
Religious celebration in honor of these two saints.

JULY
Virgin of The Sea celebrations in Puntarenas - Saturday closest to July 16
Celebrations include colorful regatta of decorated fishing boats and yachts in the Nicoya golf, carrying Puntarenas' Patron Saint, La Virgen del Monte Carmelo. It also includes special Masses, parades, concerts dances, sports events and fireworks in the evening.
Guanacaste Day - July 25th
Held in celebration of the annexation of the "Partido de Nicoya" in 1824, known today as the province of Guanacaste. You can expect fiestas, folk dances, topes, cattle shows, bullfights and concerts all over the province.

AUGUST
Virgin of Los Angeles in Cartago - August 2nd  
Honors Costa Rica's Patron Saint, "La Negrita". A nationwide pilgrimage is helod and religious processions to the Basilica in Cartago; some roads may be closed on this day.
San Ramón Day - August 30th
A religious procession of 30 Saints from neighboring towns come to visit the Patron Saint, who lives in the town of the same name. The Saint Ramón goes dancing through the streets and locals lose themselves in the parades and fun.

SEPTEMBER
Costa Rica's Independence Day – September 15th
The Freedom Torch is brought from Nicaragua by Costa Rican student relay runners the day before, arriving in Cartago at 6 p.m. on the 15th; at this time, everyone country-wide stops what they're doing and sings the National Anthem. Kids in every town have "lantern parades" where they carry their home-made "faroles". Parades, marching bands, parties and celebrations are also held throughout the country.

OCTOBER
San Isidro del General - October 9th
Celebrates the anniversary of San Isidro's founding and includes dancing, carnival, music, rides and loads of fun events.
Puerto Limon - Limon Carnival - October 12th  
Columbus Day is celebrated in style in the Caribbean port city with week-long street dances, parades, concerts and its very own "Mardi Gras" style celebrations to a native Caribbean beat.

NOVEMBER
All Souls day - Nov 2nd
Day of the dead is observed with family visits to cemeteries to place flowers on loved ones' graves.

DECEMBER
Fiesta de los Negritos - week of December 8th
Celebration held in the aborigine village of Boruca. An ancient Indian ritual is combined with the honoring of the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception; the celebrations include extravagant costumes music of drum and flute as well as dancing.
Festejos Populares de Zapote (Year-end Festivals) – December 25th to January 1st  
The local fairground is transformed into an amusement park with tons of rides and food, bullfights, fireworks and many other attractions. This is the biggest festival held in Costa Rica.
Tope de San José (horse parade) – December 26th
The horse parade to end all horse parades is held in downtown San José. Most of the downtown roads will be closed during the whole day.
Carnaval de San José – December 27th
Once again, downtown San Jose is the scene of a huge wonderful parade with incredible floats and music.
Nationwide Christmas Celebrations – Beginning in early December
Homes and businesses all over the country put up "portales" (Nativity Scenes) which are always unique. A competition for the best portal is open through December 22nd. The season's local foods include coconut "melcochas" (candy), "chicha" (heady brew from corn), tamales, "rompope" (egg-nog), imported apples and grapes. At midnight on December 24th, Catholic Churches celebrate the Misa de Gallo (literally, Mass of the Rooster).