Ipacarnival (Cartago)
Season or date: Last week of January
New Year carnival with floats and dancing coloring the former capital.
Festivals in Costa Rica
Discover traditional festivals and celebrations of this country
Festivals
Ancient Coffee Festival
Season or date: Mid-February
Rural festival celebrating coffee harvest in San José suburbs.
Santa María Day
Season or date: April 11
Military band parade honoring national hero Juan Santamaría.
Guanacaste Cattle Drive Festival
Season or date: Late July
Oxcart parades and rodeo experiencing ranching culture.
Nicoya Annexation Day
Season or date: July 25
National holiday with traditional dances and marimba performances.
Los Ángeles Pilgrimage
Season or date: August 2
The largest religious event where pilgrims walk to Cartago Basilica.
Independence Day Lantern Parade
Season or date: September 14–15
Children recreate independence torchlight with handmade lanterns.
Caribbean Calypso Festival
Season or date: Mid-October
Music festival celebrating Black culture in Limón.
La Lucita Parade
Season or date: Second Saturday of December
Christmas event with illuminated floats parading through central San José.
Topico International Music Festival
Season or date: Late December
Year-end festival with bands from Central American countries.
Public holidays
- New Year's Day
- Maundy Thursday
- Good Friday
- Easter Sunday
- Rivas Battle Victory
- Labour Day
- Nicoya Annexation Day
- Our Lady of the Angels
- Mother's Day
- Independence Day
- Columbus Day
- Christmas