Below is a List of Popular Holidays and Festive Occasions in 2020, that may be of interest to vacationers.
Date | Celebration |
---|---|
Mar (1st Week) | Bonanza Cattle Show, Horse Racing, Bull Fights-San Jose |
Mar 8th, 2020 | Oxcart Drivers Day, Dia de los Boyeros –San Antonio de Escazu. |
Mid March | National Orchid Show; National Farmers Day; Fruit Festival. |
Mar 15-25, 2020 | International Arts Festival, San Jose, Theatrical & Dance |
Mar 19th, 2020 | San Jose’s Day -Masses. Street food festivals |
Mar 19th, 2020 | March Equinox (Astronomical Spring) |
Mar 22nd, 2020 | World Water Day (Environmental) |
Apr 05-12, 2020 | Holy Week- Monday Apr. 05 to Apr. 12 Sunday |
Apr. 9th, 2020 | Good Thursday or Maundy Thursday |
Apr. 10th, 2020 | Good Friday |
Apr 11th, 2020 | Juan Santamaria Day (Battle of Rivas) |
Apr 12th, 2020 | Easter Sunday |
Apr 26-30, 2020 | University Week, San Jose- parades; live music |
May 1st, 2020 | Workers Day, Labor Day, May Day |
May 15th, 2020 | San Isidro Labor Day (honouring the patron Saint of farmers) |
May 17th, 2020 | San Juan Day 14 Mile Marathon, Cartago to San Jose |
May 29th, 2020 | Corpus Christi Day |
Jun 20th, 2020 | June Solstice (Northern Hemisphere) |
Jun 21st, 2020 | Father’s Day |
Jun 29th, 2019 | St. Peter & St. Paul’s Day |
Jul 18th, 2020 | Virgin of the Sea Day |
Jul 25th, 2020 | Annexation of Guanacaste |
Aug 2nd, 2020 | Our Lady of Los Angeles, a tribute to La Negrita. |
Aug 15th, 2020 | Mother’s Day |
Aug 15th, 2020 | Assumption Day (The deceased Virgin’s body is ‘assumed’ into heaven) |
Aug 24th, 2020 | National Parks Day |
Sep 3rd, 2020 | WeekInternational Beach Clean-Up Day |
Sep 9th, 2020 | Children’s Day |
Sep 15th 2020 | Independence Day |
Sep 22nd, 2020 | September Equinox |
Oct 12th, 2020 | Columbus Day or National Cultural Day |
Oct 31st, 2020 | Halloween |
Nov 2nd, 2020 | All Souls Day |
Nov 14th, 2020 | Dawali Hindu Festival of Lights |
Nov 22nd, 2020 | Teachers Day |
Dec 8th, 2020 | Feast of the Immaculate Conception |
Dec 21st, 2020 | December Solstice |
Dec 25th, 2020 | Christmas Day |
Dec 31st, 2020 | New Year’s Eve |
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.
*Special Note: You will find that frequently featured ‘Bull-riding’ and ‘Bullfighting’ events here are bloodless sports.
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.
April 9th, 2020 Maundy Thursday
April 10th, 2020 Good Friday
April 12th, 2020 Easter Sunday; University faculties participate in parades with music and dancing.
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.