Bayamon Events, Things to Do and Festivals 2014 / 2015
(Bayamon, Puerto Rico)
There always seems to be something going on around Bayamon and
San Juan. The sheer size of Puerto Rico's capital and its devotion to the arts ensures that there are plenty of opportunities for events, fairs and celebrations.
Couple this with the plethora of patron saint festivals that occur throughout the year all across the Commonwealth of
Puerto Rico, and it is pretty likely that there will be plenty of things to do during your visit. Look out for the San Sebastian Street Festival in January, the Emancipation Day parties in March, the San Juan International Billfish Tournament in August, and Bacardi's Artisan Fair each December.
Bayamon Calendar of Festivals and Events 2014 / 2015
January
- New Year's Day (Dia de Ano Nuevo) January 1st, a national Puerto Rican holiday with gatherings, parties and evening fireworks
- San Sebastian Street Festival - this Old San Juan neighbourhood shuts down so that food vendors, live music and cultural performances can take to the street. Colourful parades run through the day, but after dark it is all about the live music, dancing and partying
- Three Kings Day (Dia de Reyes) - January 6th, Puerto Ricans certainly celebrate Christmas, but their real passion is for the Three Kings. On this day, processions and special family gatherings are held in every town on the island
- Birthday of Eugenio Maria de Hostos - January 10th, honouring this national writer and patriot
- Martin Luther King Junior Day - held every year in January, on the third Monday
February
- Casals Festival - started by legendary cellist Pablo Casals in 1956 and still held today. Each year the Centro de Bellas Artes Luis A Ferre venue resounds with classical music throughout the month
- Presidents' Day (Dia de los Presidentes) - February 15th, a national holiday to honour past and present presidents of the United States. Government workers get this day off
March
- Emancipation Day (Dia de la Abolición de Esclavitud) - March 22nd, this national holiday celebrates the notion of freedom on the island of Puerto Rico. Government workers have the day off, so many public offices are closed
- Easter Celebrations - late March / early April, a religious time on the island
April
- Saboria Puerto Rico - lovely Escambron Beach turns into a culinary Eden for three days as chefs, foodies and everyone in between converge to share their love of food. Cooking classes, rum tastings and plenty of eating is available to anyone who comes
- CIRCO - this international art fair grows in stature each year. The Puerto Rico Convention Centre is the hub of the action, but many smaller art venues around the capital also hold special exhibitions for the week
- Jose de Diego Day - April 18th, a public holiday in Puerto Rico
May
- Memorial Day (Recordación de los Muertos de la Guerra) - last Monday in May, similar to the holiday in the United States, this day honours veterans of wars with a day off and parades
June
- Puerto Rico Heineken Jazzfest - the biggest names in Latin jazz fly into San Juan for this hot concert event. The Tito Puente Amphitheatre is the place to be when this show hits town
- San Juan Bautista Day - the island's patron saint is celebrated during an entire week. Religious processions, dancing, live music, games and beach parties mark this major local celebration
July
- Independence Day (Dia de la Independencia) - July 4th, a national commonwealth holiday
- World Salsa Congress - as the name suggests, this is the granddaddy of salsa parties. Salsa dancers from across the globe converge on San Juan to express their love of salsa, and visitors get to watch
- Birthday of Luis Monoz Rivera - July 18th, remembering this acclaimed political leader
- Commemoration of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico (Constitución del Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico) - July 25th, this national holiday marks the day when modern Puerto Rico as we know it was created. Everyone gets a day off, so expect plenty of good feelings around the city
- Birthday of Jose Celso Barbosa - July 27th, another Puerto Rican holiday
August
- San Juan International Billfish Tournament - held during the peak of the deep-sea fishing season, this week-long event attracts top fishermen in their droves, who come to try and catch the amazing blue marlin. The action during the day is matched by parties every night during this popular annual festivity
September
- Le Lo Lai Festival - September 3rd, this day marks the beginning of the popular Le Lo Lai cultural festival in San Juan. Fort San Cristobal comes alive every Thursday afterwards, with a musical extravaganza
- Labour Day - various activities are staged each year on this holiday, which falls on the first Monday in September
- Grito de Lares Festival - this annual fest commemorates one of the main battles in Puerto Rico's struggle for independence
October
- San Juan Cinemafest - Puerto Rico's annual film festival attracts filmmakers from the island and all over the world with the chance to show off their work. It is a rare opportunity to see what Puerto Ricans are creating in the world of film
- Hustle and Salsa Fiesta - dance lovers take note! Salsa workshops and dance exhibitions fill the Condado Plaza Hotel for three days at this time, featuring some of the best dancers around
- Columbus Day - honouring the arrival of Christopher Columbus, with various activities staged on the second Monday in October
November
- PR Beer Fest - the best brewers from across the island join up with beer makers from around the Caribbean to showcase their brews. Live music, good food and plenty of beer make for a great day out
- Festival of Puerto Rican music - San Juan turns into a showcase for the island's native music styles. Bomba, plena and other folk styles of music are performed at venues around the capital
- Veteran's Day - November 11th, a national Puerto Rican holiday with a number of local activities
- Thanksgiving - held on the fourth Thursday every November
December
- Bacardi's Artisan Fair - the largest artisan fair on the island happens on the first two Sundays of December at the Bacardi Distillery in Catano. Amusement rides, live music and more than 100 artisans display and sell their creations at this very popular annual event
- Christmas Day (Dia de Navidad) - December 25th, a time for families to exchange gifts and hang out on the beach
More information about
San Juan events and festivals.