Caracas Events, Things to Do and Festivals 2014 / 2015

(Caracas, Miranda, Venezuela)

Caracas has a lively calendar of secular and religious events, some of which cross over into both realms. Festivals like Carnaval each February, the Temporada de Danza every July and August, and the El Hatillo Jazz Fest in late October and early November, are all world-class and not to be missed. These extremely popular events turn Caracas into a hub of revellers, adding to the crowd density.

There are also numerous smaller religious festivals that are fascinating to watch, such as the many different days of virgins and feasts to honour saints like John the Baptist. You will likely have at least one or two things to do whenever you visit Caracas, with the most spectacular celebrations being part of the Semana Santa each March and the Fiesta de San Juan Bautista in late June.

Caracas Calendar of Festivals and Events 2014 / 2015

January

• New Year's Day (Ano Nuevo) - January 1st, the city celebrates the New Year with as much passion as anywhere else. There are firework displays, live concerts and other fun events starting on New Year's Eve (Nochevieja), continuing well past midnight. New Year's Day is a national Venezuelan holiday
• Day of Epiphany - January 6th, this is the last of the 12 days of Christmas and the most important day for most Venezuelans. While mainly a family holiday, this is the day when children receive gifts

February

• Virgen de la Candelaria - February 2nd, parades, costumes, music, dancing and drinking are all important components of this popular Latin American religious holiday. Many of the churches in Caracas will hold special processions on this day
• Carnaval - late February / early March, the Monday and Tuesday before Ash Wednesday is the annual Carnaval extravaganza in Caracas. Events are held throughout the capital. This is one street party you won't want to miss if you are in town

March

• Los Tambores de Barlovento - this interesting cultural festival heralds the beginning of the rainy season. Drums are brought out and played for days in the streets of Barlovento, a town a few hours away
• St. Joseph's Day (Dia de San Jose) - a national holiday in Venezuela
• Semana Santa / Holy Week - late March / early April, this is the biggest religious event in Venezuela and there is no better place to witness the pageantry than Caracas. Dozens of parades and themed events are held primarily at churches around the city during Easter Week, with people often carrying religious statues of Spanish saints

April

• International Theatre Festival (Internacional de Teatro) - for 17 days theatre takes centre stage in Caracas. International and local groups converge on the capital to put on top-class performances at the main theatre venues throughout the city
• Declaration of Independence (Declaracion de Independencia) - the country's movement for independence is remembered on this day
• Nazarene of San Pablo - April 20th, the Santa Teresa Basilica is where hoards of devotees go on this holy day, to praise the Nazarene of San Pablo. This is one of the more interesting religious events in the city, as most of the devotees wear bright purple

May

• Labour Day (Dia del Trabajador) - May 1st, Labour Day is a big deal in the Socialist Venezuela of today. This is a national holiday, and so you can expect heavy crowds in all of the city's main tourist attractions
• Diablos Danzantes - May 15th, swirling dancers in their colourful devil outfits descend on the small town of Francisco de Yare for this wonderful festival. You will have to make a day trip of it from Caracas, but the scene here is definitely one of a kind

June

• Feast of John the Baptist (Fiesta de San Juan Bautista) - June 24th, this incredible festival is one to see if you can. Celebrating John the Baptist, the neighbourhoods around Caracas turn into a frenzy of drumming, dancing and purification rituals
• Battle of Carabobo (Batalla de Carabobo) - June 24th, a celebration of this historic and victorious battle, which was led by Simon Bolivar and won on June 24th 1821. This battle is especially notable, since it ultimately led to the country gaining its independence

July

• Season of the Dance (Temporada de Danza) - July / August, held over several weeks during the months of July and August, drawing famed dance troupes from all over Venezuela
• Independence Day (Dia de la Independencia) - July 5th, with all manner of special events staged across the country as part of this national holiday. Expect much food and drink, as well as live music and dancing
• Virgin of El Carmen Day - July 16th, in the state of Vargas, just east of Caracas, this important religious holiday is celebrated. You can witness large processions, masses and other parties in the towns of Vargas, an easy day trip from the capital
• Simon Bolivar's Birthday (Cumpleanos de Bolivar / Natalicio del Libertador) - July 24th, the founder of modern Venezuela is honoured on this national holiday. Expect a parade and other civic events all around the city and beyond

August

• Flag Day (Dia de la Bandera) - August 3rd, this national holiday celebrates the disembarkation of Francisco de Miranda in 1806

September

• Fiesta de la Virgen de Coromoto - September 8th, another of the many virgin festivals in Venezuela takes place in the small town of Coromoto

October

• Day of Indigenous Resistance (Dia de la Resistencia Indigena) - October 12th, the famous navigator Christopher Columbus has his own day of honour in Venezuela. This is a national holiday, but there is very little civic fanfare surrounding Columbus's discovery of the New World
• El Hatillo Jazz Festival - late October to early November, this hugely popular jazz fest showcases all kinds of Latin jazz music. Many of the country's best-known blues bands come to El Hatillo, just outside Caracas, for this annual event

November

• All Saint's Day (Dia de Todos los Santos) - November 1st, a public holiday better known to many as the Day of the Dead
• Fair of the Chinese (Feria of La Chinita) - November 17th to 19th, head to Maracaibo to enjoy the different atmosphere of a Chinese-themed fair. The town has a sizable Chinese population that holds this exciting little event each November

December

• Feast of San Benito - this is the patron saint for the people living around Lake Maracaibo. Each year locals hold a very festive celebration around Christmas to honour Saint Benito with dancing, music and lots of drinking. There is a noticeable Creole element to this event
• Christmas (Navidad) - the residents of Caracas celebrate Christmas with a great deal of pageantry. All of the main tourist areas are lit up at night with lights and decorations