Costa Rica Holidays & Special Events February to December, 2021

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, such as religious ceremonies where groups participate in age-old rituals; then the food and the music may be different and more fitting to the occasion.

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 1st, 2021 and Good Friday, April 2nd, 2021. 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 1st, 2021 Maundy Thursday
• April 2nd, 2021 Good Friday
• April 4th, 2021 Easter Sunday; University faculties participate in parades with music and dancing. (Covid-19 may force a cancellation of festivities)
• April 12, 2021, 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.

• May 3rd, 2021, 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!’

• Sunday, June 20th, 2021, Dia de los Padres, or Father’s Day.
• Thursday, June 3rd, 2021, 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.
• Sunday, June 20th, 2021 -June Solstice or Summer Solstice
• Monday, June 28th, 2021, Dia de Dan Pedro y San Pablo, religious celebrations honoring the Saints Peter and Paul.

Friday, July 16th, 2021- 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.

Monday, July 26th, 2021- 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.

• Monday, August 2nd, 2021, 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.
• Sunday, August 15th, 2021-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.
• Sunday, August 15th, 2021-is is the day Catholics celebrate the Virgin Mary “having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory”.
• Monday, August 30th, 2021, honors San Ramon, the town’s patron saint.
• Tuesday, August 24th, 2021, National Parks Day.
• Monday, August 30th, 2021, The National Day of Black and Afro-Costa Rican Culture is an official Costa Rican celebration lasting for a week.

• Thursday, September 9th, 2020 – National Children’s Day
• Wednesday, 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. Moved to Monday, September 13th, 2021
• During the 3rd week of September, 2021, 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.
• Wednesday, September 22nd, 2021, is the start of the September Equinox, the first day of fall.

• Monday, October 11th, 2021- National Cultures Day, replaces Dia de la Raza in celebration of Culture.
• Sunday, October 31st, 2021- 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.

• Tuesday, November 2nd, 2021- 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.
• Thursday, November 4th, 2021-Dawali Hindu Festival of Lights.
• Monday, November 22nd, 2021- Teachers Day will honour teachers throughout the country.
• Sunday, November 28, 2021- U.S. Thanksgiving, many hotels and bars celebrate the holiday; it is not a Public holiday but “Oh! What-a-Night”.
• Monday, November 29, 2021- of the Abolition of the Army. (Normally celebrated on December 1st

• Wednesday, December 8th, 2021- 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 (Covid-19 permitting) for the Festival de la Luz (Festival of Lights). Concerts, street parades, and fireworks take place after dark in parks and public places.

• Friday, December 24th, 2021- 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).
• Saturday, December 25th, 2021- 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 Criollo horse breed.
• Friday, December 31st, 2021- 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.

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