Costa Rica Holidays & Special Events March to December, 2020

Costa Rican’s love a festive celebration and display their joyous, friendly personalities to rhythmic music at every possible occasion. Food is always a good accompaniment to a celebration, nor would it be complete without something liquid to lift-the-spirits and quench the thirst. But some celebrations are more solemn as religious ceremonies where groups participate in age-old rituals; then the food may be different and the music fitting to the occasion.

• The famous Bonanza Cattle Show is always held during the first week of March. Costa Rica’s working cowboys demonstrate their skills at horseracing, rodeo events, bull riding and bullfights; the main show is staged in San Jose.*Costa Rica practices a humane style of Bullfighting. The bulls are not harmed; if any blood is shed it will come from the Matadors. Check it out! The colors and action make this a Super Photo-Op!
• March 8th, 2020, the second Sunday, is ‘Dia de los Boyeros’, or Oxcart Drivers day, this is another opportunity for photographers to capture unusual and graphic works of art as the Ox Cart decorators compete for bragging-rights for the ‘Best Cart In Show’. Escazu, San Jose comes alive at this time. It’s a colorful spectacle for the entire family; as usual food and drink are plentiful along with live music.
• In mid March, 2020, Costa Rica’s agricultural produce is showcased as they celebrate National Farmers Day. A wide variety of fruits and vegetables and their tasty by-products come to show at the hosting of the ‘Fruit Festival’, in Orotina, Alajuela. Costa Rica is well known for their fresh fruit and vegetables; now taste the mouth-watering sishes and beverages made with all fresh, local, produce.

Also in mid March, is the National Orchid Show which is a ‘World Event’ staged in San Jose with many challengers for the top-ribbon honors. Over 300 species of orchids in full bloom take the stage. A sensational Photo-Op!

March 19th, 2020, the Feast of St. Joseph is celebrated with Roman Catholic masses, followed by local pageants and celebrations throughout Costa Rica.

March 19, 2020, is the March Equinox, the beginning of the Astronomical Spring; this is evidenced by the many flowering and bearing items on show.

March 22, 2020, the world celebrates ‘World Water Day’, the environmental recognition of our dependency on water and the battle to protect it.

April 11, 2020, Juan Santamaria Day; recounts the Battle of Rivas, where Juan Santamaria of Alajuela, a young drummer-boy in the Costa Rican Army, used a torch to set fire to the invading slave trader William Walker’s stronghold. He was shot dead in the process. He is a celebrated National Hero for his bravery, helping Costa Rica defeat the invading William Walker’s rabble in 1856.

April 5, to Apr 12 2020, Holy Week- The week before, and leading up to Easter, known as Semana Santa; it is a time for religious devotion throughout Costa Rica. Many businesses close for the entire week as a mark of respect.

• Traditionally, activities in Costa Rica come to a standstill during ‘Holy Week’. This is the time of the year when Roman Catholics participate in their most sacred and solemn events on their calendar; it is the period just preceding, and including, the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
• In recent times, Costa Rica is a Roman Catholic society; they still observe the old Holy traditions. Yet some people prefer to spend the time relaxing with family and friends even on these public holidays still paying respect to the Holiest of Traditions.
• Government Offices, business places, restaurants and bars are mandated to close on Maundy Thursday, April 9th, 2020 and Good Friday, April 10th, 2020. Be sure to check the opening hours of places you intend to visit on those days.
• Hospitals, Health Centres, Police Stations and other essential services will remain open and operational during Holy Week.

April 9th, 2020 Maundy Thursday
April 10th, 2020 Good Friday
April 12th, 2020 Easter Sunday; University faculties participate in parades with music and dancing.

• May 1st, 2020, Wednesday-is Workers Day, Labor Day, or Dia de los Trabajadores, a public holiday honoring the workers of Costa Rica. Join them and enjoy a game of Cricket or one of the other outdoor events. There will be plenty of good music, food and beverages. Another great Photo-Op!’
• May 15th, 2020, San Juan Day, 14 Mile Marathon in Cartago, San Jose.

• Sunday, June 21st, 2020, Dia de los Padres, or Father’s Day.
• Thursday, June 11th, 2020, Corpus Christie Day, Christian observance that honors the Holy Eucharist. It is also known as the Feast of the Most Holy Body of Christ. The instruments of the Holy Sacrament (bread and wine) are usually offered during Communion, or Eucharist, on Corpus Christi.
• Saturday, June 20th, 2020 -June Solstice or Summer Solstice
• June 29th, 2020, Dia de Dan Pedro y San Pablo, religious celebrations honoring the Saints Peter and Paul.

Saturday, July 18th, 2020- Fiesta de la Virgen del Mar. The Virgin of the Sea Festival celebrations are held to honor the patron of the sea. Brightly decorated boats parade in processions carrying a statue of the Virgin Mother, a special mass follows.

Wednesday, July 25th, 2020- Dia de Guanacaste celebrates the day when the people of Guanacaste chose Cost Rican rule over Nicaraguan (1824). Dating back to a time before Guanacaste was yet a Principal of Costa Rica. Liberia erupts in jubilantion with festivities and fireworks.

• Sunday, August 2nd, 2020, Our Lady of the Angeles is a very religious day in Costa Rica. A pilgrimage travelling on foot travels from San Jose to Los Angeles Basilica de Cartago, in order to honor La Negrita, the black Virgin Mother. Expect a huge crowd of people seeking mercies and cures for various ailments.
• Saturday, August 15th, 2020-is Dia de Madre is Mother’s Day a special day in Costa Rica. Ticos take the day off to be with or honor memories of their mothers.
• Monday, August 31st, 2020, San Ramon Day Parade, it honors San Ramon, the town’s patron saint.
• Monday, August 24th, 2020, National Parks Day.
• Monday, August 31st, 2020, The National Day of Black and Afro-Costa Rican Culture is an official Costa Rican celebration lasting for a week.

• Wednesday, September 9th, 2020 – National Children’s Day
• Tuesday, September 15th, 2020- Independence Day is enthusiastically celebrated throughout the Country. Costa Rica comes alive in proud memory of the country’s Independence from Spain in 1821.
• During the 3rd week of September, 2020, locals and visitors team-up to clean the coastal beaches of Costa Rica on International Beach Clean-Up Day. A night of festivities marks the close of the weeks of work.
• Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020, is the start of the September Equinox, the first day of fall.

• Monday, October 12th, 2020- National Cultures Day, replaces Dia de la Raza in celebration of Culture.
• Saturday, October 31st, 2020- Halloween was not a recognized holiday in years gone by, but is now a highly celebrated event with contests for best costumes and trick-or-treating.

• Monday, November 2nd, 2020- Dia de lo Muertos, ‘All Souls Day’, Ticos and Ticas visit their departed friends and loved one’s in cemeteries, leaving food, drink, flowers and other tokens of remembrance.
• November 14th, 2020-Dawali Hindu Festival of Lights.
• Sunday, November 22nd, 2020- Teachers Day will honour teachers throughout the country.
• Saturday, November 28, 2020- U.S. Thanksgiving, many hotels and bars celebrate the holiday; it is not a Public holiday but “Oh! What-a-Night”.

• Tuesday, December 8th, 2020- Fiesta de los Negritos, Roman Catholics celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin.
• During the week before Christmas, big celebrations throughout the Country for the Festival de la Luz (Festival of Lights). Concerts, street parades, and fireworks take place after dark in parks and public places.

• Thursday, December 24th, 2020- Christmas Eve, most stores have shortened opening hours closing early to enjoy time with their families. At midnight the churches herald in the birth of the Saviour with the Misa de Gallo, Mass of the Rooster celebrated throughout the country. (The Rooster plays a very important part in the Catholic religion and it can be seen on many weather vanes and other Catholic symbols).
• Friday, December 25th, 2020- Christmas Day is a family day, many go to the beaches or relaxing in the cool rainforest. For most families, the day begins with a Mass in a local church before exchanging gifts and a traditional Christmas feast. In San Jose the famous horse parade Tope Caballos kicks-off, featuring the Criollohorse breed.
• Thursday, December 31st, 2020- New Year’s Eve and the night is filled with many parties and festive celebrations across the country as Costa Ricans herald in the New Year.