Events and Festivals

There is a festival or celebration around the Island almost every weekend.

Festivals in Puerto Rico are colorful and loud: live bands play, amusement park rides twirl, parades take over streets, and, of course, fried foods are enjoyed. Each festival is based on its own tradition, often Catholic in origin, which usually starts midweek and goes through the weekend.

Some events are held in the San Juan metro area while others will require a road trip to explore more of the island. Going to a festival in Puerto Rico is a great way to experience local culture and have a great time.

Almost every weekend there is a festival or a celebration around the island; these are some of the biggest and most popular.

Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastián

Third weekend of January – Old San Juan One of the most anticipated parties of the year and the unofficial close of the holiday season, the Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastián takes over Old San Juan from Wednesday evening until Sunday. During the day, plazas are filled to the brim with artists and artisans, some have stages for live music, dance, and circus performances. In the evening the party ignites and the street fill with people and music.

The most exciting sight during the festival is the parade of the Cabezudos, which are people in huge masks and big-headed puppets that represent characters in Puerto Rican folklore. The parade kicks off the festivities with traditional plena drums and a marching band, and it quickly turns into a party when spectators join in to dance. This is one of the best festivals of the year!

Ponce Carnival (Carnaval Ponceño)

Last week of February – Ponce This annual festival in the town of Ponce lasts a full week and ends the day before Ash Wednesday. Every day of the Carnaval features colorful parades and activities, with long-snouted vejigantes (a local folk character that wears a colorful papier-mâché mask and multicolor jumpsuit) taunting the crowd, the appearance of King Momo and the coronation of the Carnival Queen, a masquerade ball, and finally the Burial of the Sardine, a simulated funeral marking the beginning of Lent.

Central to the festivities in Ponce are the vejigantes — masked, colorfully-dressed, clown-like characters, wearing paper mâché masks with scary teeth & horns — dancing and strutting to bomba and plena music. They may swat bystanders with soft balloons (supposedly to chase away the evil spirits) as they go by.

Aibonito Flower Festival

This Puerto Rico event celebrates pink asters, white daisies, and mini sunflowers, as well as, a million other plants and flowers that are on sale.

It has mouthwatering food kiosks, beautiful floral displays, stalls selling crafts, plants, and live music. It is a huge event in the town and thousands of visitors visit Aibonito to check out the various attractions. Kids also love to come here as there are different types of joy rides for them.

Fiesta de los Reyes Magos

January 6 – Juana Díaz, Isabela, and other municipalities Along with Christmas and New Year's, the Epiphany on January 6th is also celebrated as part of the holiday season in Puerto Rico. According to Catholic tradition, the Three Wise Men (in Spanish, los Tres Reyes Magos) visited Baby Jesus in the manger to deliver gifts. In Puerto Rico, town festivals throw parades featuring locals or actors dressed as the Three Wise Men who hand out presents to children. The two most famous festivals are Fiesta de Reyes Juanadina, in the town of Juana Díaz, and Fiesta de Reyes Isabelinos, in Isabela.

While Christmas is celebrated in Puerto Rico, the festivity the locals look forward to the most is Three Kings Day, or El Día de los Tres Reyes Magos. Observed on January 6, this holiday is a celebration of the arrival of the Three Wise Men, who brought gifts to the newborn Jesus. This is the day when Puerto Rican children receive holiday presents, and they would traditionally leave grass or hay at the foot of their beds for the kings’ camels to enjoy.

In addition to family celebrations at home, you can find parades and festivals all over the island. The Three Kings travel from Juana Díaz, making stops all over the island. Their most popular appearance is at Luis Muñoz Marín Park in Old San Juan. The festivities are full of food, music, and merriment, and you can’t miss them if you love the holidays.

Hatillo Masks Festival (Festival de las Máscaras de Hatillo)

December 28- This festival commemorates the Día de los Santos Inocentes, the Puerto Rican version of April's Fools. In the town of Hatillo, it's called the Festival of Masks and features people dressing up in colorful and elaborate costumes for a parade with equally outlandish floats crossing through the town.

This is an extremely popular festival on the island, so expect large crowds in the center of Hatillo. The parade that features women, men, and children dressed as traditional characters of Puerto Rican folklore moves to sounds of music. People joke around, play pranks, drink, and dance during the whole day. Hatillo town center turns into one giant theater or circus. After the parade, everyone gathers at the city's central square for a massive street party with food and various activities.

Along with the parades and masks, the day also features artisans, music, traditional foods, and activities for the whole family.

Festival de la Novilla

Third weekend of January – San Sebastián A novilla is a heifer, and it is the focus of a popular celebration in San Sebastián, a rural town on the west side of the island. Celebrated on Sunday, live bands perform everything from folk music to salsa, artisans and fried food vendors occupy the town square, and amusement park rides are set up. A cow is decked out in a crown of flowers and leads a parade through the town where scenes of country life are depicted on elaborate floats.

The town square hosts artisans, live bands performing folk and salsa music, fried food vendors and amusement park rides for the littles. The festival closes with a concert of traditional music.

La Campechada

La Campechada is the annual art fair that features artists, poets, dancers, and musicians performing right on the streets. The largest art fair in Puerto Rico takes place in May (May 3rd to 5th) at Plaza de las Delicias, Ponce La Campechada brings together artists, performers, musicians, actors, puppeteers, and others with the aim of educating the public about Puerto Rican art and culture.

Every year the festival is dedicated to a prominent Puerto Rican artist and that becomes the inspiration for many of the new works presented during the festivities. There is an Artisan Fair, a Book Fair, an Art Fair, guided walks, conferences, workshops, live drawing, theatrical performances, and more.

Noche de San Juan

June 23rd – San Juan Saint John's Eve, locally known as Noche de San Juan, is an unofficial celebration in the capital of Puerto Rico that celebrates the nativity of Saint John the Baptist.

Puerto Ricans celebrate la Noche de San Juan – an eve of a feast for Saint John, the Baptist's birth. Unlike other festivities around the world, in Puerto Rico, this celebration - which occurs two days before the summer solstice- marks a holiday spent at the beach. The tradition goes that at the stroke of midnight, people take at least three backward plunges – though some do seven or 12 dives, to rid life of all negativity. Hundreds of people crowd the beaches so that at midnight they can jump backwards into the ocean seven times for good luck.

To celebrate like a local, head to your preferred beach early and ensure you get a great spot near the shore. To avoid the busy beaches, join the festivities at any of the hotels throughout the Island that hold big parties to celebrate the occasion.

Festival de Santiago Apóstol

Last weekend of July – Loíza In Loíza, there is another style of vejigante, the ones whose masks are made from coconut and drift wood. During the Festival of Saint James, the Apostle, in Spanish Santiago Apóstol, there is a lively parade through the town where the vejigantes and the Spanish knights do battle, representing the struggle between the forces of good and evil.

Bomba music, a traditional folk music with a distinctive African influence, thumps out while dancers use their colorful skirts to create a dialogue with the drummers, and the musicians respond to the dancers rather than the other way around.

Festival Nacional Indígena

Puerto Rico is an island renowned for its culture and historic past. The Jayuya region of the country is testament to this legacy, being the home of the Taino tribe that resided on the islands before the Spanish discovered it. The Taínos were eradicated by the Spanish but their influence is still present in Puerto Rican culture.

Celebrated in Jayuya at the end of November, this festival celebrates Puerto Rico's indigenous roots and the influence of Taíno culture and traditions. The town of Jayuya was named after one of the big caciques, or chiefs, that lived on the island when the Spanish arrived in the 1500s and where Taíno hieroglyphs were found carved into a giant boulder.

The festival celebrates the legacy of the Taino tribe and their traditions. A traditional ceremony alongside a ball game and a costume pageant are amongst the main highlights of the festival. It also promotes the local culture and cuisine, giving guests the chance to experience the hospitality of the region. Guests can also visit tourist attractions like Piedra Escarita and coffee plantations as part of the festival. Jayuya also contains the highest peak in Puerto Rico, some of the best coffee plantations on the island, a moonshine distillery, and a hot air balloon. Getting there is tricky but worth the trip!

Nochebuena

December 24th – all over the island During Christmas Eve, known as Nochebuena, people gather with their families and friends to eat lechón and arroz con gandules (roast pork and rice with pigeon peas), drink coquito (like eggnog but coconut-based), and sing trullas (Christmas songs usually accompanied by drums, maracas, and güiros).

If you're a visitor to the island, most tourism services will be operating on the 24th, and in the evening many hotels and restaurants offer special Christmas dinners.

New Year's Eve

December 31st – all over the island Enjoy the end of the year celebration at one of San Juan's gorgeous hotels, dinner overlooking the ocean followed by an open bar and fireworks at midnight. Many restaurants also offer special menus for that night and drink specials.

Puerto Ricans know how to ring in the New Year with style. All around the island, hotels and restaurants throw their doors open and host sumptuous feasts and end-of-year balls. Traditionally, you'll also find many places serving asopao—a rice and meat stew—well into the early hours of January 1.

Festival de Teatro Puertorriqueño e Internacional

The Francisco Arriví and Victoria Espinosa theaters come to life during this theater festival, which features performances of both local and international plays.

Every year, the festival is dedicated to a prominent member of the theater community and features all types of theatrical works – from classic dramas to experimental performances. The theaters are located in the heart of Santurce, otherwise known as the art district of San Juan, and are surrounded by hip restaurants, coffee shops, and remarkable street art.

Festival del Frío

On an Island known for its warm weather year-round, the Festival del Frío, or the “Festival of the Cold” in English, celebrates the coldest peak in Puerto Rico: the mountainous municipality of Adjuntas. Visitors can enjoy carnival rides, local artisans, games, food, live music, and more in a family-friendly environment.

The festival attracts over 20,000 people who camp out for the occasion. It begins at night in the Parador Villas Sotomayor pool area, and breakfast is served the next morning after a nature walk. Live music, local artisans, and other entertainment will be available until midnight.

Puerto Rico Salsa Congress

The Puerto Rico Salsa Congress is a weeklong celebration of everything in the world of Salsa. Held in June, it attracts local and international Salsaficionados, who come for the music, the dancers, and even to learn from seasoned instructors.

The highlight of the event is the annual World Salsa Open, a no-holds-barred dance competition that would put "Dancing With the Stars" to shame in a heartbeat. The event is not just a dancers, it is also a musical extravaganza. Throughout the Congress, 15 to 20 orchestras perform representing countries the world over.

Casals Festival

The Casals Festival is considered the Caribbean’s foremost classical music event.

The festival pays tribute to the famous cellist, conductor, and composer Pablo Casals. Founded in 1957 by Casals himself, the festival gathers artists and musicians from around the world, drawing some of the biggest names in the industry. Held primarily at the Luis A. Ferré Performing Arts Center, the festival takes place over several weeks and is dedicated to preserving the memories of Casals’ legacy and career.

Puerto Rican Danza Week (Fiesta Nacional de la Danza)

The Fiesta Nacional de la Danza (English: National Danza Festival), is a cultural celebration that takes place every year in Ponce, Puerto Rico. The festival centers on the danza, a musical genre native from the city of Ponce and oftentimes called "Puerto Rico's classical music" with rhythm, tune, and cadence that are similar to the waltz.

If you are passionate about music, you simply cannot afford to miss the Puerto Rican Danza Week while visiting the country. Held in the month of May every year, the festival lasts for one week and celebrates the native music of Puerto Rico. Danza is a genre or form of music, which is immensely popular among Puerto Ricans. The music is influenced by the musical styles of Cuba and France, People of Puerto Rico love to participate in this festival. There are also dance events and parades as a part of this festival.

Heineken JazzFest

The Heineken Jazz Festival is still one of the leading festivals to take place in Puerto Rico. Its vibrant zeal has surpassed all expectations and is now regarded highly as the premier event to see in the Caribbean. The Festival has been running for over twenty years.

Being one of the leading festivals in Puerto Rico and also one of the most loved festivals in the Caribbean, the Heineken JazzFest sees world-renowned Jazz artists come to Puerto Rico to celebrate music. While the emphasis is Latin Jazz, you will also find many local Puerto Rican music styles played here.

Loíza Carnival

The town of Loíza lits up and people come out on the streets to honor their beloved saint, St. James - the Apostle.

The carnival-like celebrations include many colorful costumes, parades, live music, dance, and good food. A beautiful amalgamation of Spanish and African cultures, this parade is one of the best events in Puerto Rico.

Festival de la Piña Paradisíaca

June 7th to 9th – La Parguera, Lajas The "Pineapple Festival" is celebrated every year in La Parguera, an oceanfront community in the southern town of Lajas. The festival features vendors selling locally grown pineapples and dozens of local agricultural products and fried foods while local bands liven up the evening.

La Parguera is packed with restaurants and bars as well as small hotels, charter boat rentals, and even a bioluminescent bay. During the celebration there is a 5K race with an impressive view of the marina and mangrove coves that make La Parguera a favorite getaway for both locals and tourists.

Coffee Harvest Festival

Also called The Maricao Coffee Festival, this Puerto Rican coffee harvest festival lasts over 3 days. One of the most celebrated events in Puerto Rico, this festival will treat you to a sample of ‘corto,’ cup of local coffee with a dash of cinnamon, along with some stunning views of the Caribbean charm.

Every February, the town of Maricao celebrates the end of the coffee harvest season during the massive Maricao Coffee Festival. In addition to coffee and more coffee, you'll also enjoy music, parades, dancing, arts and crafts, and dancing. A festival highlight is the barista competition.

Saborea Sunset Festival (Saborea)

Puerto Rico's grandest food festival takes place in April each year. This tremendously fun event brings internationally renowned chefs and TV personalities from around the world to "compete" with local culinary stars. It's a weekend of food tastings from chefs at the top of their game, plenty of rum from ​Rums of Puerto Rico, and generally a very fun experience for the foodie in all of us.​

Everyone will agree that food is the best way to experience and explore a country’s culture and tradition. So, if you are visiting Puerto Rico in the month of April, you should definitely not miss the Saborea Sunset Festival. The festival is truly a culinary extravaganza of both food and a wide variety of wines. Puerto Rico’s Isla Verde Beach is the ideal beach for hosting such a festival. Saborea means “Taste Puerto Rico” and the name is really apt to describe this festival. You will be overwhelmed by the large number of fabulous lifestyle and culinary seminars that are held at this festival.

Past Saborea! fests have brought chefs like Iron Chef Cat Cora, Anne Burrell, Claire Robinson, and Mr. Chocolate himself, Jacques Torres.

SoFo Culinary Festival

SoFo Culinary Festival is a popular bi-annual culinary festival (and free) event named after South Fortaleza, a street and section of Old San Juan that's home to terrific restaurants. Twice a year, usually in August and December, the streets close for this restaurant crawl, and SoFo takes over the neighborhood for four days. The event also features live entertainment by local musicians.

This festival is held in the Old San Juan where the cafés and restaurants along the La Fortaleza Street welcome visitors and locals to taste some of their best gastronomical creations. More than 40 participating restaurants throw open their doors; set up tables with representative tapas, dishes, and drinks; and invite the crowds to stop by and sample their goods.

Taste of Rum International Rum & Food Festival

An event built around Puerto Rico's national drink, the Taste of Rum, presented by Rums of Puerto Rico, combines a variety of high-end rum tastings with food from around the Caribbean and Latin America.

This two-day event, occurring in March, typically features a scrumptious rum barbecue competition, art shows, live DJs and bands, exhibits, and folkloric dances. Plus, the festival's setting on Paseo la Princesa is one of the most romantic and pleasant spots in Old San Juan.​ A pass includes unlimited rum samples; access to all seminars, competitions, and entertainment; and limited food samples

Baseball Season

Hosted all over the island, the six Puerto Rican baseball teams compete for the prestigious title. This little island country takes its sports very seriously! The Hiram Bithorn Stadium is known to host most of the matches.

Though you may not be able to buy "peanuts and cracker jack", a baseball game in Puerto Rico is an economical and fun evening out. Every winter (from November through January), baseball heats up on the island. Not only do we have local players on the teams, but some of the US league players come down to keep in shape and play in their off-season.

So, if you are having baseball withdrawal, catch a game while you’re here — I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

International Billfish Tournament

San Juan

The International Billfish Tournament is one of the most popular fishing competitions not only in the Caribbean but in the world. For over six decades, the Club Náutico de San Juan has hosted this deep-sea fishing event and garnered anglers from all over the globe for an “all-inclusive” event. Usually celebrated between August and September, the IBT has made its way to the top ten fishing tournaments of Marlin Magazine, one of the most respected fishing publications world-wide. Because of the abundance of blue billfish just off the coast of San Juan, the popularity of this contest relies on sea life preservation, and therefore, it is a catch-and-release event.

Fajardo

For half a decade the Puerto del Rey Billfish Tournament has been held in the Caribbean’s grandest and only blue flag marina. This top-rated competition takes place between October and November. Just like the IBT, the Puerto del Rey Billfish Tournament is also a catch-and-release competition to promote marine life preservation.

Puerto Rico Open

The Puerto Rico Open is a professional golf tournament on the PGA Tour that was first played in 2008. It is the only PGA Tour event ever held in Puerto Rico.

The tournament is played at the Coco Beach Golf Course (previously Trump International Golf Club Puerto Rico) which was designed by Tom Kite. From its inception through 2015, it was played in early March as an alternate event to the WGC-Cadillac Championship, but in 2016 it moved to late March, opposite the WGC-Dell Match Play. All four rounds are broadcast on the Golf Channel.

This one is for the golf lovers. A professional golf tournament and the only PGA Tour played in Puerto Rico, the Puerto Rico Open attracts best golf players from around the globe. A prize money of US $3.0 million will definitely motivate you to bring along your A-game.