Puerto Rico is home to many holidays and celebrations. Last year, over 6.6 million people visited to explore the island’s colorful culture, unique history, and vibrant traditions. Some festivals are held in San Juan, while others may require you to take a scenic road trip.
Visiting festivals in Puerto Rico lets you enjoy a cultural blend of Spanish, African, and Taino influences.
Here are the top ten festivals in Puerto Rico that await you:
1. Fiesta de los Reyes Magos
Date: January 6
Location: Island-wide
Fiesta de los Reyes Magos (Feast of the Three Kings, Día de Reyes, or Three Kings Day) commemorates the arrival of the Three Wise Men (or Magi) who brought gifts to Jesus, the Christ Child. Children leave shoeboxes of grass or hay under their beds for the Magi’s camels overnight, and awaken to gifts and snacks (left by the Magi).
This is a family-oriented holiday, with adults also exchanging gifts. You can enjoy special foods such as the King Cake, slow-roasted meats, rice, puddings, and signature rum-infused drinks. People traverse their neighborhoods singing parrandas (carols) and stopping at each house for treats. Watch a Nativity reenactment at a church, enjoy live music, and check out a local parade afterward.
Tip: Arrive early to get a good spot to view the local parade.
2. La Campechada
Date: November or December
Location: Rotates across cities each year
La Campechada is a festival promoting Puerto Rico’s cultural music and arts to locals and tourists. The diverse offerings include performances by artists, musicians, actors, and even puppeteers.
Each year, this festival is dedicated to a renowned Puerto Rican artist. The headline artist’s work serves as inspiration for other works presented during the celebrations. If you’re a lover of the arts, you can delve into the art, book, and artisan fairs, guided walks, and conferences. Attend a workshop or two, engage in live drawing, and watch theatrical performances.
Tip: Always check La Campechada’s schedule to know when your favorite music and dance performances will occur.
3. San Sebastián Street Festival
Date: Third weekend in January
Location: Old San Juan
San Sebastián Festival (more commonly known as the Sanse) is a signature event you shouldn’t miss! Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastián (or San Sebastián Street Festival) is the island’s largest outdoor party, signifying the end of the holiday season. Years ago, this festival was a fundraiser for the San José Church restoration. Since then, it’s become a large cultural event.
Watch the Parade of the Cabezudos- people wearing oversized masks and big-headed puppets that represent Puerto Rican folklore. The parade starts the festivities, and features plena drums and marching bands.
During this festival, the street is filled with food booths, alcoholic beverages, arts and crafts vendors, theatrical performances, and live music. It’s all about spontaneous dancing in the streets!
Tip: Water and comfortable shoes are your friends! Stay hydrated and comfortable.
4. Noche de San Juan
Date: June 23
Location: Island-wide (especially at beaches)
Noche de San Juan (Saint John’s Eve) is an unofficial holiday celebrating Saint John the Baptist’s birthday. This festival is unique as it occurs on beaches.
Puerto Ricans line up at the water’s edge as midnight approaches. At the stroke of midnight, they jump in backwards to rid themselves of bad luck and invite good fortune. If you’re adventurous, you can join in. But, beware: the beaches will be very crowded. You can also feast at local food stalls afterward.
Tip: Avoid the busy beaches and visit any hotel celebrating Noche de San Juan on their grounds.
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5. Carnaval Ponceño
Date: February or March (week before Ash Wednesday)
Location: Ponce
Carnaval Ponceño (Ponce Carnival) is a week-long celebration running from the last week of February and to the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday. It’s among the oldest carnivals (over 250 years) in the western hemisphere, featuring traditional bomba and plena music.
You can watch the daily parades and activities of the vejigantes (people wearing masks and costumes depicting Spanish and African folklore characters). There’s also a masquerade ball with its king and queen. Finally, there’s the Burial of the Sardine, a mock funeral signifying the carnival’s end and the start of Lent.
Tip: Keep your camera at hand to capture everything!
6. Festival de Santiago Apóstol
Date: Last weekend in July
Location: Loíza
Festival de Santiago Apóstol honors Saint James (a Roman Catholic saint). There’s a parade through the town of Loíza where the vejigantes and Spanish knights battle (symbolizing the warfare between good and evil).
The elaborate procession features drumming, African-infused music (bomba), and dance performances. The dancers and drummers engage in a fast-paced call-and-response dialogue in a unique Afro-Caribbean and Spanish fusion.
Be sure to indulge in the local culinary delights! Sample the piononos (fried sweet plantain rolls stuffed with seasoned beef filling and topped with melted cheese), alcapurrias (fritters made from taro root or yuca, green plantains, sofrito, and stuffed with picadillo), and bacalaítos (cod-fish fritters).
Tip: It’s helpful to learn about the vejigantes types and local traditions to make sense of everything depicted in the parade.
7. Casals Festival
Date: May or June
Location: San Juan
Pablo Casals, world-famous cellist, hosted the first Casals Festival in 1957. This first festival featured 11 classical music concerts across San Juan, and the tradition of excellence continues today.
This festival is now an annual celebration of classical music, paying homage to its founder. The festivities include performances by the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra accompanied by internationally renowned musicians.
The Casals Festival runs for several weeks and offers a diverse lineup, including beautiful orchestral performances, intimate chamber music, and uplifting solo recitals.
Tip: Keep track of the festival schedule to know when your favorite classical musicians will perform.
8. Saborea Puerto Rico
Date: April or May
Location: Carolina
Puerto Rican food celebrates the island’s diverse cultural heritage and signature spices. Saborea Puerto Rico (Taste Puerto Rico) is an annual food festival celebrating Puerto Rican cuisine. It brings together famous chefs from across the globe to cook alongside the best local chefs.
Come prepared to savor traditional Puerto Rican foods with modern twists on local ingredients. Let your tastebuds wander over delectable culinary masterpieces with international influences.
This feast is accompanied by Puerto Rican beer, rum, wine, and cocktails, offering a delightful experience for all foodies, local and global.
Tip: Follow Saborea Puerto Rico’s social platforms to know which hotel will host the year’s activities.
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9. Festival de la Piña Paradisíaca
Date: May or June
Location: La Parguera, Lajas
Festival de la Piña Paradisíaca translates to “Pineapple Paradise Festival.” Yes, it’s a pineapple festival!
Puerto Rico’s tropical climate is perfect for growing pineapples. The oceanfront La Parguera community celebrates this fruit’s importance during the festival. Support the vendors selling locally-grown pineapples, other agricultural products, and fried foods (like empanadillas and alcapurrias). You can also dance alongside the local bands in the twilight hours.
There are many local restaurants and bars, small hotels, boat rentals, and the La Parguera bioluminescent bay to explore. You can also participate in the 5k race and enjoy the stunning views of the marina and mangrove coves.
Tip: Visit the La Parguera bio bay and swim among the microscopic organisms that make the water glow!
10. Festival de las Máscaras de Hatillo
Date: December 28
Location: Hatillo
Festival de las Máscaras de Hatillo (Hatillo Mask Festival) dates back to 1823 and marks the Feast of the Holy Innocents. This festival commemorates the biblical account of King Herod’s massacre of all infant boys under three years in a failed bid to kill Jesus, the Christ Child.
Although this festival has sombre roots, the Festival de las Máscaras de Hatillo activities lighten the mood. People dress in colorful, extravagant costumes and vibrant masks to parade on equally extravagant floats throughout the town. You can don a mask and join in the fun! Local street vendors will help keep your energy levels up with delicious Puerto Rican food.
Tip: Get to the parade route early and secure the best spot to see every detail in the colorful procession.
Enjoy Puerto Rican Festivals
Although we’ve explored the top ten festivals in Puerto Rico, there are many more. So, time your trip to coincide with the celebrations you want to experience. If you’re a frequent visitor and would love to live in this island paradise, you need a real estate agent in Puerto Rico.
The Colectivo Group is a boutique real estate agency offering premium services to our clients. Our agents live in Puerto Rico and know each community in detail. We’ll guide you in finding the perfect property for your needs. Contact us today and let’s work together to make your property dream a reality.