Festival and Events Monirul Hoque, April 17, 2015 Palmares Festival: Fiesta Palmares is the much anticipated festival, an open air celebration that takes place annually right after the festivity of Christmas and New Year’s dies down. Spanning a couple weeks, in the month of January, offers a complete package for all ages to participate in the fun activities and it attracts more than a million festival-goers from all around the world. At the time of this festival the small town of Palmares, 56 kilometers from San Jose transforms itself into the biggest, most incredible party place of the country. This is the second largest festival in Costa Rica following the Zapote Festival (celebrated during Christmas and New Year). During this festival you will get opportunity to enjoy Horse Parade, bullfights known as Corridas de Torro and a variety of concerts. You can also enjoy delicious native cuisine, a vehicle road show, a variety of spot events and many more. There are also street artists and performers who shows different types of performance and you will also find firework display held throughout Fiestas Palmares. Some of the attractions are arranged only for the aged 18 years and older. The festival are controlled by private security, police officers including security cameras set at strategic points throughout the grounds for the safety of the visitors. More info: https://acamcostarica.com/fiestapalmares/ Zapote Festival: The festival of Zapote follows is the Festival of Lights from the 25th of December till the New Year’s Evethat marks the end of the year in true Costa Rican fashion. Opens on the 25th around 3pm in the afternoon this festival attracts over a million people swarm into the city within a short period of time. This festival is celebrated with all the pomp and festivities in typical Costa Rica Pura Vida style. Some of the attractions of this festival are bull fights, horse parades, joyous rides including pirate ship, bumper cars, roller coasters and a terrifying spinning ride called the Tagada. You will also enjoy other fascinating attractions snake shows where snakes like corals, pythons, anacondas and vipers are put for a show. Pupusas and churros are the favorite food of the visitors here. For the safety of the visitors, the festival is monitored under an excellent security operation. More info: https://acamcostarica.com/zapotefestiva/ Día de la Virgen de los Ángeles In Costa Rica relicious events are treasured along with all the music festivals, national days and other cheery celebrations. These religious events are organized and savored with equal joy and earnestness. Since hundreds of years on 2nd August, this religious event is celebrated and over two million people arrive at Basílica de Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles to pay their respects to their holy patron. There is a local myth that the statue of Black Virgin was found in the early 17th Century in Cartoga by a native girl and the statue kept magically appearing at the same site where it was found the first time. The sculpture is known as La Negrita or Black Madonna because of its black color. It is believed that the statue has healing power that attracts pilgrims from all across the country and the world. More info: https://acamcostarica.com/irginoflosangeles/ The Independence Day: The Independence Day of Costa Rica is celebrated on the September 15th. Most of the countries have gained independence via wars and brutal negotiations but Costa Rica celebrates its declaration of independence from the Spanish by putting together a student’s parade. The celebration starts a night before and it commences with raising the national flag. In this day many types of events are held. School kids dress up in national costumes and go out to the main streets with colorful homemade faroles that are lit up brightly. People of communities also take part in different performances like singing the national anthem with the students and also other songs of Independence. More info: https://acamcostarica.com/independenceday/ Semana Santa or Easter: Costa Rica is a Catholic state and Semana Santa or the Easter is the most sincere religious celebration of the year. This celebration starts on Thursday and ends on Sunday (lasts for a whole week). Since the cast of the National Theatre Company (a big production team featuring various bands and professional musicians) participates in the event, the procession in the San Jose city is the main attraction though it held in each of the city of the country. This procession remembers the last week of life of Jesus before his crucifixion on Good Friday and rebirth on Easter Sunday. Food plays a big part of this holiday and soup that is made from dried cod fish called bacalao, and chiverres (made by cooking enormous pumpkins into jam). During this week use of liquor is prohibited. More info: https://acamcostarica.com/easterweek/ Festival de la Luz: The Festival of Lights, famously known as Festival de la Luz takes place annually on the second Saturday of December. Hosted by the Municipality of San Jose since 1996, this event kicks off the Christmas and New Year’s celebrations in the second week of December. This festival launched the first parade of the theme based floats and best bands in the country, taking place on the main streets of downtown streets in San Jose in December. The key attractions of the festival are the floats and the bands amidst all the lights. Many local people as well as tourists enjoy this festival and for the safety of the visitors, this event is monitored by over a thousand security officials. During the festival alcohol is strictly banned. More info: https://acamcostarica.com/festivaloflights/ San Jose Horse Parade and Carnival of Desamparados: Each year on these two fairs are celebrated during the month of December 26 and 27. The proud horse riders wear traditional costumes and embellish their horses for taking part in the age-old parade. The carnival of Desambarados (27th of December) comprises of several vibrant state coaches and by the participants attire who say to the beats of the bands. Fiesta of the Diablitos: This annual festival is held in late February in the Indian Village of Rey Curre. In this festival one get opportunity to watch the recreation of the battles fought between the Spanish and the Costa Rica’s native tribes. For taking part in this festival, Costa Rican people wear wooden masks and vivid costumes and enjoy dance and an elaborate display of fireworks. Virgin of the Sea: Hosted on a Saturday that comes nearest to the sixteenth of July at at the port city of Puntarenas, Costa Rica, this one day event mentioned to as Virgen del Mar or Virgen Del Carmen parade. In early 1920s many fishermen and their boats were overwhelmed by a storm and this festival pays tribute to those soul. The day hits off by arrival of decorated and colorful yachts from the Gulf of Nicoya collect to take part in a vibrant regatta. Land activities are also held in this day and those are mass services, visually spectacular parades, dancing, competitive sporting events and a stunning display of fireworks. More info: https://acamcostarica.com/virgin-of-the-sea-festiva/ Christmas Celebrations: In Costa Rica the churches celebrate the Mass of the Rooster or Misa de Gallo on the 24th of the month. During Christmas many tourist visit this country to enjoy the celebration. Every corner of the country are found well decorated and the smell of delicious meals comes from each home. Carol singers collect on the streets in the countdown to Christmas and are greeted into the local homes. Festival Imperial: This festival is organized by the Cerveceria, Costa Rica and sponsored by the renowned beer company: Imperial since 2006. This is the tiara on Costa Rica’s musical crown and has been successfully transformed into one the most looked forward to. In April 2006 the first of the three festivals took place in the standard bar of music festivity was taken to a whole new level by bringing superstars like Sting, Jamiroquai, Diego Torres and The Rasmus to Costa Rican land. More info: https://acamcostarica.com/festival-imperial/ Orotina Fruit Festival: This fruit festival held in mid to late March (around the third week of March). This is a large open air market and conventional Costa Rican style festival. This festival features a fruit-inspired theme, seasonal tropical fruits and also arrange local music and visually captivating horse parades. More Information http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_festivals_in_Costa_Rica http://adventure-costarica.com/travel/costa_rica_general_information/cultural_events_festivals.htm http://costarica.com/culture/holidays-festivals/ Festivals