Cartago Events, Things to Do and Festivals 2014 / 2015
(Cartago, Costa Rica)
There is not a fantastically diverse range of festivals in Cartago, with most of the annual events and national holidays (dias feriados) pertaining to religion and moments in Costa Rican history. While great for churchgoers, with Easter and Christmas being big deals, those non-religious types may find it all a bit staid, with not much in the way of unique things to do.
Big events in Cartago include the Palmares Civic Fiestas in January and Carrera de San Juan in May. Independence Day and Columbus Day, happening later on in the year, are also worth a look, as is Romero at the end of July, which sees more than one million people walking to the basilica.
Cartago Calendar of Festivals and Events 2014 / 2015
January
- New Year's Day - January 1st, a national Costa Rican holiday. New Year's Day is always a fun day in this particular city, with various shows put on around the city centre, as well as much feasting
- Palmares Civic Fiestas - early January, a fortnight-long religious event with carnivals, bullfighting, live music and dancing
February
- San Isidro del General Fiestas - early February in nearby San Jose, an agricultural event with fairs, flower shows, bullfighting, dancing and more
March
- San Jose Day - a popular day in the capital city, also being enjoyed elsewhere around the country
April
- Battle of Rivas Day - April 11th, commemorating a historic battle, which took place on this day in 1856, between Costa Rica and Nicaragua
- Holy Week (Semana Santa) - the week before Easter, this is a popular time to be in Cartago, with religious processions galore
- Good Friday Procession - part of the Holy Week, with a mock parade of Romans in the city centre during the morning, followed by the carrying of a Christ statue to the Basilica of our Lady
May
- Labour Day - falls on May 1st, a Costa Rican national holiday known locally as the 'Dia de los Trabajadores', with processions and partying on this fun day of celebrations
- Carrera de San Juan - May 17th, this day is the biggest marathon in Costa Rica, taking place around both Cartago and San Jose
- Corpus Christi Day - a national holiday, with religious celebrations held all over the country
June
- St. Peter and St. Paul's Day - June 29th, a bigger religious event elsewhere in Costa Rica, which is also enjoyed in this city
July
- Guanacaste Day - July 25th, remembering the inclusion of the Guanacaste province from Nicaragua on this day in 1824, now a public holiday for all Costa Ricans
- Romero Starting - late July, honouring of the Black Virgin at the Basilica of our Lady, with a mass pilgrimage. This event is staged over a few days
August
- Fiesta of the Virgin of Los Angeles / Virgen de los Angeles Day - August 2nd, an annual pilgrimage day honouring the patron saint of Costa Rica. Crowds arrive each year on this day, with many coming from San Jose simply to pay a visit to the Basilica de Nuestra Senora de los Angeles (Our Lady of the Angels Basilica)
- Mother's Day (Dia de la Madre) - August 15th, a family orientated holiday all over Costa Rica, coinciding with the Catholic themed Feast of the Assumption
- Return of the Virgin - late August, following Romero the month before, when a statue of the Virgin is taken around Costa Rica for some 30 days and then returned to the basilica by means of a procession
September
- Independence Day - September 15th, a nationwide event marking the day of independence in Costa Rica, with marching band parades and other enjoyable activities suiting all ages
October
- Columbus Day / Meeting of Cultures Day - October 12th, the 'Dia de la Raza' is a fun day throughout the entire region, observing the great explorers' discovery of the New World
November
- All Souls' Day - November 2nd, the 'Dia de los Muertos' is enjoyed nationwide, with the natives remembering their dead with visits to cemeteries and dressing up
December
- Las Posadas - December 15th, featuring carol singers reenacting Joseph and Mary's quest for a place to lay their heads
- Christmas - December 25th, with big celebrations all over Costa Rica, including in Cartago, with carol singers, parades and masses
- San Jose Carnival - late December, boasting colourful processions, floats and plenty of costumes, along with a definite party atmosphere
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