No matter the season and no matter the reason, there’s a festival somewhere in Puerto Rico. If you’ve been to Puerto Rico and basked in the sun and played in the surf, then consider changing it up a bit and enjoying some of the best festivities in the Caribbean.
Puerto Rico is steeped in tradition, history, and culture. If there’s a reason, there’s a celebration. There are festivals all the time in Puerto Rico, so chances are if you do go to visit you’ll bump right into one and get your festive on with the best of them.
The Winter Months
The Bacardi Artisan Fair – Typically every December, there is an artisan fair at the Bacardi Facility. More than 200 artisans showcase their crafts at this fair.
What to Expect
- Local artisans showing off traditional goods such as handmade lace or homemade candies
- Food, drink, music and fun
- Plenty of families
Festivals de las mascaras – As if Puerto Rico wasn’t exciting enough, the Festival of the Masks makes it even more so. There are plenty of colorful masks and costumes to celebrate this festival.
What to Expect
- Color masks and costumes; mask making
- Food, music, crafts, dancing
Three Kings Day – Of course, Christmas is a big event in Puerto Rico, but Three Kings Day is super special, as well. The Three Kings Day, also known as the Epiphany is one of – if not the most – important holiday in Puerto Rico. Instead of milk and cookies for Santa, children place hay in shoe boxes for the Three Kings horses and wait to receive presents in return. More often than not, these presents are a little more special in nature.
What to Expect
- Parades
- Parties in the park
- Festivals
- Food, drink, music and presents for the kids while everyone waits for the arrival of the Three Kings to come to town
Spring and Summer
Carnival – Carnival is the Caribbean’s take on Mardi Gras. It’s a week-long celebration that you leave you breathless. If you enjoy over-the-top celebrations, this one’s for you.
What to Expect
- Lots of lively music
- Flamboyant costumes
- Parades
- Plenty of glitz and glamor
- A lively bunch of celebrants
Danza – Just like the title sounds, it’s a celebration of dance. This is Puerto Rico’s celebration of the art of dance and dancers express themselves in this beautiful expressive art form created by the people of Ponce.
What to Expect
- Live performances
- Conferences
- The art of dance through graceful movement
Noche de San Juan Batista – In Puerto Rico, their culture and heritage is important and they celebrate with gusto. This is a week long festival in honor of their patron saint.
Fall for a Festival in Puerto Rico
Beside all the fall festivals, Puerto Rico also hosts High Fashion Week where the top level designers showcase their newest creations. And then there’s Catando y Picando food and wine festival (the name says it all).
In November it’s time to get ready to celebrate Discovery of Puerto Rico day. This is the day that started it all.
Puerto Rico is probably the most vibrant of all islands in the Caribbean. With so many festivities, there’s no wrong time to go and get your festive on.
