February

• First week of February – San Isidro del General Fiestas
Agricultural exhibits, local flower shows and cattle shows.
• Late February – Fiesta de los Diablitos, Rey Curré village
Traditional dance, fireworks and Indian crafts represents the Spanish conquest of Central America.
• Last week of February – Puntarenas Carnival
Art, music, dancing and exhibitions are all part of this week-long celebration.

March

• First week of March – Bonanza Fairgrounds, San José
Featuring rodeos, bullfights and horse races to make a fun week of fiesta.
• Second Sunday of March – Dia de los Boyeros, San Antonio de Escazú
Brightly coloured oxcarts parade and local priests bless the animals and crops.
• Mid March – National Orchid Show, San José
Featuring over 300 species of orchids this weekend-long annual show attracts growers worldwide.
• March 19th – San José Day
Celebrated nationwide the fiestas include local food, rides and Tico-style bullfights.
• Middle of March – Ujarras, Cartago
A religious pilgrimage from Cartago to Costa Rica’s first church.
• Second week of March – International Arts Festival, San José
Takes place every other year with international and national theatre, arts and dance.

April

• Week before Easter – Santa Semana
Celebrated nationwide, the whole country shuts down as people take time off work. Hotels get very booked up and prices increase in general so beware.
• April 11th - Juan Santamaría Day
Celebrated nationwide they commemorate the death of their national hero. The week-long celebrations include parades, concerts, typical food and dancing.

May

• May 1st – Puerto Limon
Featuring family picnics, cricket matches, dancing and games. This annual event is popular with all.
• May 15th – San Isidro Labrador’s Day, Escazú
This date honoured the Patron Saint of farmers and farm animals with blessing of future crops and farm animals. Parades, fiestas and dancing are common.
• May 17th – San Juan Day, Carrera de San Juan
A huge marathon from the outskirts of Cartago to San José.
• May 29th – Corpus Christi Day
A religious festival celebrated nationwide.

June

• June 29th – Saints Peter & Paul Day
A religious festival celebrated nationwide.

July

• Saturday closest to July 16th – Virgin of the Sea, Puntarenas
Colourful processing of fishing boats where fisherman worship the Virgin and pray for another safe year at sea. Regional delicacies, music and dancing are part of the festivities.
• July 25th – Guanacaste Day
A day to commemorate the capture of the “Partido de Nicoya” that’s occurred in 1824 known today as the province of Guanacaste. Local celebrations include bullfights, folk dance and concerts.

August

• August 2nd – Fiesta of the Virgin of Los Angeles, Cartago
Honours the Patron Saint of “La Negrita” with a nationwide pilgrimage to the Basilica in Cartago.
• August 30th – San Ramon Day
30 saints from nearby towns come to visit the Patron Saint in San Ramon. Procession, dancing and music are all major parts of this day.

September

• September 15th – Costa Rica’s Independence Day
Celebrated nationwide parades and lanterns are the main festival activities.
• Third Saturday in September – International Beach Clean-Up Day
Locals and visitors work together to help clean the beaches.

October

• October 9th – San Isidro de General
The anniversary of San Isidro’s founding is a good reason to party.
• October 12th – Dia de La Raza, Paseo Colon, San José
A celebration of the Columbus’s discoveries and the influence of Hispanic cultures.
• October 12th – Limón Carnival, Puerto Limon
Lively Caribbean music and dances celebrate the Columbian day.
• October 12th – Virgin del Pilar’s Day, Tres Rios
A parade with attention-grabbing costumes made out of cornhusks and silks.
• October 12th – Corn Festival, Upala
Typical Costa Rican foods celebrate and exhibit their corn crops.

November

• November 2nd – Dia de los Muertos
Celebrated nationwide, people take time to celebrate deaths and visit cemeteries.
• End of November – El Desfile de Carretas, San José
Oxcart owners from over Costa Rica travel from all areas to take part in the event.

December

• Week of December 8th – Fiesta de Los Negritos, Boruca
The Patron saint of the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception is celebrated with dance, music, costumes and dances.
• December 8th – Immaculate Conception
Celebrated nationwide with huge firework displays.
• First week of December – Festival de la Luz, San José
At night, crowds gather to watch the light and firework displays.
• December 12th – Fiesta de la Yeguita, Nicoya
The statue of the Virgin of Guadalupe is accompanied by dancing and music down the streets.
• December 25th-31st – Festejos Populares, Zapote
In the Zapote fairgrounds, there are bullfights, craft stalls, games, rides and local vendors.
• December 26th – El Tope and Carnival, San José
A large parade of Costa Rican horses all immaculately decorated go through the streets of San José with the celebration ending in parties and dancing.
• December 27th – Carnival, San José
Downtown San Jose is the party place with a huge street party for all.
• Christmas Celebrations
Christmas celebrations in Costa Rica start in early December and very family-oriented with gifts being given and quality family time together is very important. Families and local business put up nativity scenes and make traditional food.
• December 8th – Día de la Pólvora, San Antonio de Belén
In order to honour the Lady of Immaculate Conception, there are lots of firework displays.
• December 15th – Las Posadas
Celebrated nationwide, Christmas carol singers travel from home to home.

Costa Rica enjoys their National Holidays A LOT more than England! Here are the official ones:

This article was brought to you by Caroline Wilson, a web consultant for Costa Rica News.