Calendar of Major Cultural Events:January New Year's Day
One of the largest of the traditional fiestas, Palmares includes bullfights, a horseback parade (tope), concerts, carnival rides and...Read more about the Palmares Fiestas
This religious festival features folk dancing, marimba music, and bullfights.
Weeklong tennis tournament held at the Costa Rican Country Club.
February San Isidro del General Fiestas
the Spanish conquest of Central America. Firework displays and an Indian handicrafts market are both features of this unusual celebration.
Vibrant music, dancing, art and cultural exhibitions are part of this week-long party in the streets of Puntarenas.
March Bonanza Cattle Show
This traditional show features rodeos, bullfights and horse races. Various exhibitions on cattle and livestock are featured.
Vibrantly painted oxcarts parade through San Antonio de Escazú. Local priests bless the animals and crops for the farming season.
Costa Rica is home to more than 1,200 identified species of orchid. Featuring over 300 of these species, the weekend-long annual show attracts growers from all over the world. Contact the Costa Rican Tourist Board for location and dates in 2007.
Religious celebration in all the neighborhoods with that name, with fairs and masses. The fiestas feature local food, rides, topes and Tico-style bullfights.
April Holy Week- Semana Santa
San José nearly shuts down from Holy Thursday through Easter Sunday. If planning a trip to Costa Rica during this time, it is advisable to book months in advance. Although many Ticos flock to the beaches over Easter week, many stay home and join religious celebrations.
Costa Ricans commemorate the death of their national hero, Juan Santamaria, who heroically died in a battle against William Walker's troops in 1856. The weeklong celebrations include parades, concerts, typical food and dancing.
May Puerto Limon
Celebrated countrywide in towns named San Isidro, this day honors the Patron Saint of farmers and farm animals with blessings of future crops and livestock. Fiestas and parades are common.
The biggest marathon of year, with runners covering a grueling course, from the outskirts of Cartago to San José.
June Saints Peter & Paul Day
Religious celebration
July Virgin of The Sea
This tradition features a colorful fishing-boat regatta where fishermen honor the Virgin in hopes of another safe year at sea. Tasty regional delicacies, dancing and a parade are also part of this celebration.
This day commemorates the annexation of the "Partido de Nicoya" in 1824, known today as Guanacaste province. Local festivities include folk dances, topes, cattle shows, bullfights, and concerts.
Local arts and crafts, parades and music in Alajuela
August Fiesta of the Virgin of Los Angeles
Honors Costa Rica's Patron Saint, "La Negrita" with nationwide pilgrimage and religious processions to the Basilica in Cartago.
September Costa Rica's Independence Day
Costa Rica's Independence Day, celebrated all over the country. Parades and lantern making are most notable activities.
Locals and visitors all work together to clean up their favorite beaches.
October San Isidro del General
The anniversary of San Isidro's founding is celebrated.
Limón Carnival
Lively dances, music concerts and parades are features of this Columbus Day celebration.
Virgen del Pilar's Day
Typical foods, arts and crafts all exhibit Costa Rica's corn crops.
November All Souls Day, Día de los Muertos
December Fiesta de los Negritos
Boruca Indians honor the feast day of the Patron Saint, the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception, with traditional music, costumes and dances.
Firework displays
Locals gather after dark on the streets of San Jose to watch fireworks and listen to live music performed by local bands.
Music and dancing accompany the parading statue of the Virgin of Guadalupe through the streets of Nicoya.
Bullfights, carnival rides, games and local food vendors are located on the Zapote fairgrounds. Read more about Tico bullfights
Downtown San Jose hosts a huge parade with incredible music, dancing and floats.
Costa Ricans begin Christmas celebrations in early December. This holiday is a family affair, with gift giving and prayers at home. Families and local businesses put up Portales, or nativity scenes and traditional foods, such as tamales and rompope (eggnog) are enjoyed. Learn more about Tico Christmas traditions.
Fireworks are on display to honor Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception.
Christmas carolers travel from home to home in a re-enactment of Joseph and Mary's search for a place to stay.
Official Costa Rican HolidaysJanuary 1st: New Year's Day March/April: Holy Week April 11: Juan Santamaría Day May 1st: Labor Day July 25: Annexation of Guanacaste Day Aug 2: Honors Costa Rica's Patron Saint Virgin of Los Angeles Aug. 15: Mother's Day Sept. 15: Independence Day Nov. 2: All Soul's Day Dec. 25: Christmas Day
Helpful Phone Numbers: Costa Rican Tourist Board (ICT) at tel. 800/343-6332
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