carnaval

Throughout the year there are many special celebrations around the country in Costa Rica.   Some outstanding events include parades by children on Independence day Sept. 15^th; the long walk or Romeria to the Basilica on August 1st to 2nd where up to 2 or 3 million people participate;  the oxcart parade of the “boyeros”  in March; the east coast “Carnaval” style celebrations in October in Limon; and popular festejo civicos or community festivals in honor of patron saints that usually include parades with  the typical “gigantes”, children’s games, a soccer game and perhaps live music and a dance at night and frequently conclude with fireworks.    In the dry “summer” months beginning in January and continuing into April, there are several weekend orchid shows where local clubs take great pride in displaying their best orchids.   These often colorful activities show the spirit and traditions of Costa Rica, and are interesting to view for a glimpse into the true tico culture.  In the following calendar we have listed several of these annual events.  

January

• Central Valley:
  Fiestas de PalmaresOrange Festival & Orange Trade Fair (Jan.30-31)
  Coffe Cup
• North Pacific:
  Fiesta Patronal de Santo Cristo (Santa Cruz-Gte; mid Jan)

February

•  Mid Pacific:
  Mule Festival (Esterillos) Feb.05-15
  Good Neighbors Jazz Festival (mid.Feb.;Manuel Antonio)
  Carnaval de Puntarenas (last week Feb.)
• Central Valley:
  Orange Festival (Tabarcia) Feb.02-08
  Orange Trade Fair (Tabarcia)
• North Pacific
  Festival Intercultural ALEGRIA (Sámara) Feb.28-March 01
• South Pacific
  Expo Pérez Zeledón (early Feb.)

March

• Northern Zone:
  Chiverre fair (Zarcero) March 27- April 02
• Central Valley:
  Boyero Day. Escazú. March 08
• South Caribbean:
  Southern Caribbean Music Festival (Pto Viejo – Cahuita)

April

• Northern Zone:
  Chiverre fair (Zarcero). April 04-05
• Central Valley:
  Juan Santamaria´s Day. April 11
  Tomato Fair. April 17-26
  Festival de las Artes. Apr.04-05
  Climate Fair (Atenas). April 22-26
  Romería Virgen de la Candelaria (3er domingo-Ujarrás)

May

• Northern Zone:
  Zarcero Tourism Agricultural Expo . May 02-10
• Central Valley:
  Pejibaye Environmental Fair.Turrialba. May.08-11

June

• Mid Pacific:
  Monteverde Ecotouristic fair (mid. June)

July

• Central Valley
  Cheese Tourist Fair. Turrialba. July 03-12
  Jocote (Jamaica Plum) Fair. Aserrí. July 17-26
  Sarchi Crafts & Managerial Fair. Sarchí. July 24-26
• North Pacific:
  Chorotega Ceramic Fair. Nicoya. July 03-12
• South Pacific:
  Bean & Corn Festival.Perez Zeledón. July 17-19

August

• Central Valley:
  Nuestra Señora Virgen de Los Angeles. Cartago. Aug.02
  Día de San Ramón (Aug.31)
• North Pacific:
  Liberia Blanca culture week (early Aug. Liberia)
  September Central Valley:
  Pasada Festival. Cartago. Sept.06
  Independence Torch Parade. Sept.14
  Orosi Colonial tourist fair (mid-September)
  Independence Day. Sept.15

October

•  South Caribbean:
  Cultures Day. Limón. Oct.12
• Central Valley:
  Pejibaye (Peach Palm) Fair. Tucurrique. Oct.17-27
• North Pacific:
  Sabanero´s Day. Liberia. Oct.18

November

• Central Valley:
  Chicharrón (roasted pork meat) Fair. Puriscal. Nov.27-Dec.10
  National Rural Tourism Fair. San José. Nov.28-30
  Ox Parade & Saints Arrival to San José. La Sabana. Nov.29-30

December

• Central Valley:
  Christmas Eve, Dec 24
  Christmas Day. Day Dec 25
  Ney Year. Dec 31
• South Pacific:
  Fiesta de los Diablitos ( Dec. 31 – Jan 02; Boruca)
  Fiesta de la Yeguita ( Dec, 12; Nicoya)
  Fiesta de los Negritos (Dec. 08;Boruca)