Puerto Rico > Calendar of Events
January Puerto Rico Events
Three Kings Day: island wide, January 6. On this traditional gift-giving day in Puerto Rico, there are festivals with lively music, dancing, parades, puppet shows, caroling troubadours, and traditional feasts.
San Sebastián Street Festival: Calle San Sebastián, Old San Juan in mid-January. Nightly celebrations with music, processions, crafts, and typical foods, as well as graphic arts and handicraft exhibitions.
Eugenio María de Hostos Traubador Festival: Eduardo Báez García Boulevard, mid-January. Celebrating the birthday of a well-known Puerto Rican philosopher, educator, writer, sociologist, journalist and supporter of Puerto Rican independence, this festival has Troubadour contests, musical performances, art exhibits, and food stands.
PRGA Puerto Rico Open: mid-January. One of the professional golf tournaments on the Circuit of the Americas.
Copa de Reyes Equestrian Competition: Equestrian Park La Sebastiana in the Julio Enrique Monagas Park of Bayamón during late January. International annual equestrian competition.
San Sebastián Street Festival: Calle San Sebastián, Old San Juan in mid-January. Nightly celebrations with music, processions, crafts, and typical foods, as well as graphic arts and handicraft exhibitions.
Eugenio María de Hostos Traubador Festival: Eduardo Báez García Boulevard, mid-January. Celebrating the birthday of a well-known Puerto Rican philosopher, educator, writer, sociologist, journalist and supporter of Puerto Rican independence, this festival has Troubadour contests, musical performances, art exhibits, and food stands.
PRGA Puerto Rico Open: mid-January. One of the professional golf tournaments on the Circuit of the Americas.
Copa de Reyes Equestrian Competition: Equestrian Park La Sebastiana in the Julio Enrique Monagas Park of Bayamón during late January. International annual equestrian competition.
February Puerto Rico Events
San Blas de Illescas Half Marathon: Coamo, early February. International and local runners compete in a challenging 13-mile (21km) half-marathon in the hilly south-central town of Coamo.
Coffee Harvest Festival: Maricao, second week of February. Folk music, a parade of floats, typical foods, crafts, and demonstrations of coffee preparation are in Maricao, a 1-hour drive east of Mayagüez in the center of one of Puerto Rico's coffee-growing districts.
Carnival Ponceño: Ponce, mid-February. Puerto Rico's Carnival celebrations feature float parades, dancing, and street parties. One of the most vibrant festivities is held in Ponce, known for its masqueraders wearing brightly painted horned masks. Live music includes the folk rhythms of the plena, which originated in Africa. Festivities include the crowning of a carnival queen and the closing "burial of the sardine."
Casals Festival: Performing Arts Center in San Juan, late February to early March. Sanjuaneros and visitors alike eagerly look forward to the Caribbean's most celebrated cultural event. The bill at San Juan's Performing Arts Center includes an array of international guest conductors, orchestras, and soloists. This popular festival honors Pablo Casals, the renowned cellist who was born in Spain to a Puerto Rican mother. When he moved to Puerto Rico in 1957 with his wife, Marta Casals Istomin (former artistic director of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts), he founded not only this festival but also the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra to foster musical development on the island.
Tiguero and Chiringa Festival: festival held in Lajas during mid-Febraury.
Chapin Festival: Chapin, a local fish, is featured in many foods during this mid-February festival that also has dancing, programs, and crafts.
Coffee Harvest Festival: Maricao, second week of February. Folk music, a parade of floats, typical foods, crafts, and demonstrations of coffee preparation are in Maricao, a 1-hour drive east of Mayagüez in the center of one of Puerto Rico's coffee-growing districts.
Carnival Ponceño: Ponce, mid-February. Puerto Rico's Carnival celebrations feature float parades, dancing, and street parties. One of the most vibrant festivities is held in Ponce, known for its masqueraders wearing brightly painted horned masks. Live music includes the folk rhythms of the plena, which originated in Africa. Festivities include the crowning of a carnival queen and the closing "burial of the sardine."
Casals Festival: Performing Arts Center in San Juan, late February to early March. Sanjuaneros and visitors alike eagerly look forward to the Caribbean's most celebrated cultural event. The bill at San Juan's Performing Arts Center includes an array of international guest conductors, orchestras, and soloists. This popular festival honors Pablo Casals, the renowned cellist who was born in Spain to a Puerto Rican mother. When he moved to Puerto Rico in 1957 with his wife, Marta Casals Istomin (former artistic director of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts), he founded not only this festival but also the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra to foster musical development on the island.
Tiguero and Chiringa Festival: festival held in Lajas during mid-Febraury.
Chapin Festival: Chapin, a local fish, is featured in many foods during this mid-February festival that also has dancing, programs, and crafts.
March Puerto Rico Events
Emancipation Day: island wide, March 22. Commemoration of the emancipation of Puerto Rico's slaves in 1873.
Good Friday and Easter: island wide, late March. Celebrated with colorful ceremonies and processions.
Five Days with our Land: Mayagüez, mid-March. Businesses from all over western Puerto Rico come to this fair to display their products.
Puerto Rico Tourism Company Artisan Fair: Dársenas Plaza and La Princesa Walkway in Old San Juan, mid-March. This 3-day event in San Juan has music, art displays, and family fun.
China Dulce Festival: Las Marias, mid-March. This orange festival includes orange dishes, music, and original artworks.
Sweet Dreams Fair: This mid-March festival is highlighted by a Paso Fino Competition.
Cantata A Corretjer: island wide, March 20. Celebration of a famous Puerto Rican poet, Juan Antonio Corretjer.
Salsa Day: Carolina, last Sunday of March. Annual salsa festival featuring live bands.
Volantin Festival: Annual kite festival held in late March, with art displays and live music.
Good Friday and Easter: island wide, late March. Celebrated with colorful ceremonies and processions.
Five Days with our Land: Mayagüez, mid-March. Businesses from all over western Puerto Rico come to this fair to display their products.
Puerto Rico Tourism Company Artisan Fair: Dársenas Plaza and La Princesa Walkway in Old San Juan, mid-March. This 3-day event in San Juan has music, art displays, and family fun.
China Dulce Festival: Las Marias, mid-March. This orange festival includes orange dishes, music, and original artworks.
Sweet Dreams Fair: This mid-March festival is highlighted by a Paso Fino Competition.
Cantata A Corretjer: island wide, March 20. Celebration of a famous Puerto Rican poet, Juan Antonio Corretjer.
Salsa Day: Carolina, last Sunday of March. Annual salsa festival featuring live bands.
Volantin Festival: Annual kite festival held in late March, with art displays and live music.
April Puerto Rico Events
José de Diego Day: island wide, April 17. Celebration of the birthday of José de Diego, the first president of the Puerto Rico House of Representatives under US rule.
Sugar Harvest Festival: San Germán, late April. This festival marks the end of Puerto Rico's sugar harvest, with live music, crafts, and typical foods, as well as exhibitions of sugar-cane plants and past and present harvesting techniques.
Good Friday and Easter: island wide, early/mid April
Sailing Festival: Fajardo, early April. Leaving from Marina Del Ray, this is an international sailing regatta.
The Tow of Tomatoes Festival: Tomato celebration festival in Jayuya during mid April.
Puerto Rico Tourism Fair: La Gaucha, Ponce in late April. Activities include the reigning of a carnival queen, live music, live performances, local delicacies, and more.
Carnival de Salinas: Salinas, late April. This coastal festival features parades, people in costumes, the reigning of a carnival queen, programs, and much more.
Chicharrón Festival: Bayamon, late April. Chicarrón is a pork rind and a local specialty in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, and is featured in this festival.
Sugar Harvest Festival: San Germán, late April. This festival marks the end of Puerto Rico's sugar harvest, with live music, crafts, and typical foods, as well as exhibitions of sugar-cane plants and past and present harvesting techniques.
Good Friday and Easter: island wide, early/mid April
Sailing Festival: Fajardo, early April. Leaving from Marina Del Ray, this is an international sailing regatta.
The Tow of Tomatoes Festival: Tomato celebration festival in Jayuya during mid April.
Puerto Rico Tourism Fair: La Gaucha, Ponce in late April. Activities include the reigning of a carnival queen, live music, live performances, local delicacies, and more.
Carnival de Salinas: Salinas, late April. This coastal festival features parades, people in costumes, the reigning of a carnival queen, programs, and much more.
Chicharrón Festival: Bayamon, late April. Chicarrón is a pork rind and a local specialty in Bayamon, Puerto Rico, and is featured in this festival.
May Puerto Rico Events
Heineken Jazz Fest: San Juan, end of May through the beginning of June. The annual jazz celebration is staged at Parque Sixto Escobar. Each year a different jazz theme is featured. The open-air pavilion is in a scenic oceanfront location in the Puerta de Tierra section of San Juan, near the Hilton.
Puerto Rican Danza Week: Convento de los Dominicos, Old San Juan, in the second week of May. This week commemorates the most expressive art form in the Puerto Rican culture: danza music and dance. Throughout Danza Week, live performances and conferences are held at Convento de los Dominicos's indoor patio. The building is located on Old San Juan's Cristo Street.
Apio Festival: Barranquitas, early May. This Puerto Rican festival features live musical productions, agricultural products, and art exhibits.
Knitting Festival: Isabela, mid-May. Located on the northeast coast of Puerto Rico, this celebration is highlighted by knitting and weaving exhibits and demonstrations.
Mothers Day: celebrated island wide on the second Sunday of May.
Memorial Day: celebrated island wide on the last Monday of May.
Puerto Rican Danza Week: Convento de los Dominicos, Old San Juan, in the second week of May. This week commemorates the most expressive art form in the Puerto Rican culture: danza music and dance. Throughout Danza Week, live performances and conferences are held at Convento de los Dominicos's indoor patio. The building is located on Old San Juan's Cristo Street.
Apio Festival: Barranquitas, early May. This Puerto Rican festival features live musical productions, agricultural products, and art exhibits.
Knitting Festival: Isabela, mid-May. Located on the northeast coast of Puerto Rico, this celebration is highlighted by knitting and weaving exhibits and demonstrations.
Mothers Day: celebrated island wide on the second Sunday of May.
Memorial Day: celebrated island wide on the last Monday of May.
June Puerto Rico Events
Patron Saint Festivals: celebrated at various venues all over Puerto Rico during the entire month of June.
Artisan Fair: Ponce, early June. This festival contains the works of many artists within Ponce and the surrounding areas.
San Juan Bautista Day: island wide, June 24. Puerto Rico's capital and other cities celebrate the island's patron saint with weeklong festivities. At midnight, Sanjuaneros and others walk backward into the sea (or nearest body of water) three times to renew good luck for the coming year.
Aibonito Flower Festival: Road 721 next to the City Hall Coliseum, in the central mountain town of Aibonito during the last week in June and first week in July. This annual flower-competition festival features acres of lilies, anthuriums, carnations, roses, gardenias, and begonias.
International Playero Los Tubos de Manatí Festival: Manatí, late June/early July. As one of the largest Puerto Rico beach festivals, the Playero Los Tubos de Manatí features famous artists from Puerto Rico and Latin America.
Fathers Day: celebrated island wide on the third Sunday of May.
Artisan Fair: Ponce, early June. This festival contains the works of many artists within Ponce and the surrounding areas.
San Juan Bautista Day: island wide, June 24. Puerto Rico's capital and other cities celebrate the island's patron saint with weeklong festivities. At midnight, Sanjuaneros and others walk backward into the sea (or nearest body of water) three times to renew good luck for the coming year.
Aibonito Flower Festival: Road 721 next to the City Hall Coliseum, in the central mountain town of Aibonito during the last week in June and first week in July. This annual flower-competition festival features acres of lilies, anthuriums, carnations, roses, gardenias, and begonias.
International Playero Los Tubos de Manatí Festival: Manatí, late June/early July. As one of the largest Puerto Rico beach festivals, the Playero Los Tubos de Manatí features famous artists from Puerto Rico and Latin America.
Fathers Day: celebrated island wide on the third Sunday of May.
July Puerto Rico Events
Patron Saint Festivals: celebrated at various venues all over Puerto Rico during the entire month of July.
Mojo Isleño Festival: Salinas, July TBA. Mojo Isleño is a local specialty sauce, mostly used for fish, and it has onions, green peppers, red peppers, and a tomato base.
Luis Muñoz Rivera's Birthday: island wide, July 15. A birthday celebration commemorating Luis Muñoz Rivera (1829-1916), a statesman, journalist, poet, and resident commissioner in Washington, D.C.
Puerto Rico Bowling Federation Annual Tournament: held during the first three weekends in July. This annual bowling tournament draws competitors from Puerto Rico and from all corners of the world.
Congreso Mundial de la Salsa: July TBA. Professional salsa dancers from Puerto Rico and international locales put on dance performances.
Interclub del Caribe Fishing Tournament: Cangrejos Yacht Club, July TBA. Food, beverages, and music accompany this international blue marlin fishing tournament.
Traditional Santiago Apóstol Festivities: Loiza, late July. This annual folk and religious ceremony honors Loíza's patron saint, John (Santiago) the Apostle. Colorful processions take place, with costumes, masks, and bomba dancers (the bomba has a lively Afro-Caribbean dance rhythm). The jubilant celebration reflects the African and Spanish heritage of Loiza.
El Gigante Marathon: Adjuntas, Sunday before July 25. This 9.25-mile (15-km) race starts at Puerta Bernasal and finishes at Plaza Pública.
Buruquena Festival: Aguas Buenas, late July/early August. A buruquena is a small crab and is prepared by chefs for the enjoyment of participants of this annual festival.
Puerto Rico Constitution Day: San Juan, July 25. A parade and celebration honor the signing of the Puerto Rican Constitution.
José Celso Barbosa's Birthday: island wide, July 27. Annual holiday remembering the founder of the Puerto Rican Republican Party, the first official political party on the island.
American Independence Day: celebrated island wide every July 4.
Mojo Isleño Festival: Salinas, July TBA. Mojo Isleño is a local specialty sauce, mostly used for fish, and it has onions, green peppers, red peppers, and a tomato base.
Luis Muñoz Rivera's Birthday: island wide, July 15. A birthday celebration commemorating Luis Muñoz Rivera (1829-1916), a statesman, journalist, poet, and resident commissioner in Washington, D.C.
Puerto Rico Bowling Federation Annual Tournament: held during the first three weekends in July. This annual bowling tournament draws competitors from Puerto Rico and from all corners of the world.
Congreso Mundial de la Salsa: July TBA. Professional salsa dancers from Puerto Rico and international locales put on dance performances.
Interclub del Caribe Fishing Tournament: Cangrejos Yacht Club, July TBA. Food, beverages, and music accompany this international blue marlin fishing tournament.
Traditional Santiago Apóstol Festivities: Loiza, late July. This annual folk and religious ceremony honors Loíza's patron saint, John (Santiago) the Apostle. Colorful processions take place, with costumes, masks, and bomba dancers (the bomba has a lively Afro-Caribbean dance rhythm). The jubilant celebration reflects the African and Spanish heritage of Loiza.
El Gigante Marathon: Adjuntas, Sunday before July 25. This 9.25-mile (15-km) race starts at Puerta Bernasal and finishes at Plaza Pública.
Buruquena Festival: Aguas Buenas, late July/early August. A buruquena is a small crab and is prepared by chefs for the enjoyment of participants of this annual festival.
Puerto Rico Constitution Day: San Juan, July 25. A parade and celebration honor the signing of the Puerto Rican Constitution.
José Celso Barbosa's Birthday: island wide, July 27. Annual holiday remembering the founder of the Puerto Rican Republican Party, the first official political party on the island.
American Independence Day: celebrated island wide every July 4.
August Puerto Rico Events
Cuadragésimo Cuarto Torneo de Pesca Interclub del Caribe: Cangrejos Yacht Club, mid-August. This international blue-marlin fishing tournament features crafts, music, local delicacies, and other activities.
International Billfish Tournament: Club Náutico, San Juan during late August/early September. This is one of the premier game-fishing tournaments and the longest consecutively held billfish tournament in the world. Fishermen from many countries angle for blue marlin that can weigh up to 900 pounds (408kg).
International Billfish Tournament: Club Náutico, San Juan during late August/early September. This is one of the premier game-fishing tournaments and the longest consecutively held billfish tournament in the world. Fishermen from many countries angle for blue marlin that can weigh up to 900 pounds (408kg).
September Puerto Rico Events
Patron Saint Festivals: celebrated at various venues all over Puerto Rico during the entire month of September.
Labor Day: observed island wide on the first Monday of September.
Labor Day: observed island wide on the first Monday of September.
October Puerto Rico Events
Patron Saint Festivals: celebrated at various venues all over Puerto Rico during the entire month of October.
La Raza Day (Columbus Day): island wide, October 12. This day commemorates Columbus landing in the New World.
National Plantain Festival: Corozal, last weekend in October. This annual festivity involves crafts, paintings, agricultural products, exhibition, and sale of plantain dishes. Neuva trova music and folk ballet are performed.
Puerto Rico Federation Skittle Competition: International competition held in San Juan during late October.
La Raza Day (Columbus Day): island wide, October 12. This day commemorates Columbus landing in the New World.
National Plantain Festival: Corozal, last weekend in October. This annual festivity involves crafts, paintings, agricultural products, exhibition, and sale of plantain dishes. Neuva trova music and folk ballet are performed.
Puerto Rico Federation Skittle Competition: International competition held in San Juan during late October.
November Puerto Rico Events
Start of Baseball Season: in Hiram Bithorn Park in San Juan and throughout the island, early November. Six Puerto Rican professional clubs compete. Professionals from North America also play here from December to January.
San Juan Cinemafest: San Juan, early November. Internationally recognized film festival featuring more than a hundred movies.
Festival of Puerto Rican Music: San Juan, first week in November. Annual classical and folk music festival. One of its highlights is a cuatro-playing contest. (A cuatro is a guitar-like instrument with 10 strings.)
Jayuya Indian Festival: Jayuya, second week of November. This fiesta features the culture and tradition of the island's original inhabitants, the Taíno Indians, and their music, food, and games. More than 100 artisans exhibit and sell their works. There is also a Miss Taíno Indian Pageant, where contestants are judged by their features and garments that are designed to emulate the typical dress of a Taíno woman.
Puerto Rico Discovery Day: island wide, November 19. This day commemorates the "discovery" by Columbus in 1493 of the already inhabited island of Puerto Rico. Columbus is thought to have come ashore at the northwestern municipality of Aguadilla, although the exact location is unknown.
Mundillo Festival: Moca, late November. Mundillo is a tattered fabric or lace and is used only in Puerto Rico and Spain. The Mundillo festival is one-of-a-kind because of the rarity of this type of fabric.
Typical Dishes Festival: Luquillo, late November. Local dishes in Luquillo are made with coconuts, and this festival celebrates the use of coconuts in local specialties. Music, art exhibits, and crafts workshops are also available in this northeastern Puerto Rican town.
Veterans Day: observed island wide every November 11.
Thanksgiving: observed island wide every fourth Thursday in November. Officially marks the beginning of the Christmas season.
San Juan Cinemafest: San Juan, early November. Internationally recognized film festival featuring more than a hundred movies.
Festival of Puerto Rican Music: San Juan, first week in November. Annual classical and folk music festival. One of its highlights is a cuatro-playing contest. (A cuatro is a guitar-like instrument with 10 strings.)
Jayuya Indian Festival: Jayuya, second week of November. This fiesta features the culture and tradition of the island's original inhabitants, the Taíno Indians, and their music, food, and games. More than 100 artisans exhibit and sell their works. There is also a Miss Taíno Indian Pageant, where contestants are judged by their features and garments that are designed to emulate the typical dress of a Taíno woman.
Puerto Rico Discovery Day: island wide, November 19. This day commemorates the "discovery" by Columbus in 1493 of the already inhabited island of Puerto Rico. Columbus is thought to have come ashore at the northwestern municipality of Aguadilla, although the exact location is unknown.
Mundillo Festival: Moca, late November. Mundillo is a tattered fabric or lace and is used only in Puerto Rico and Spain. The Mundillo festival is one-of-a-kind because of the rarity of this type of fabric.
Typical Dishes Festival: Luquillo, late November. Local dishes in Luquillo are made with coconuts, and this festival celebrates the use of coconuts in local specialties. Music, art exhibits, and crafts workshops are also available in this northeastern Puerto Rican town.
Veterans Day: observed island wide every November 11.
Thanksgiving: observed island wide every fourth Thursday in November. Officially marks the beginning of the Christmas season.
December Puerto Rico Events
Old San Juan's White Christmas Festival: Old San Juan, December 1 through January 12. Special musical and artistic presentations take place in stores, with window displays.
Festival del Güiro y Música Típica: December TBA. A guiro is a hollowed-out gourd from a calabash tree, and it is the featured instrument in this Puerto Rican music festival. Also at this festival you'll find food, drinks, and children's programs.
Children's Festival, Day of the Innocent: December TBA.
Petate Festival: Sábana Grande, mid-December. Petate crafts are made from palm tree leaves and were used hundreds of years ago by the indigenous Puerto Ricans. This festival honors that ancient craft by selling and making new Petate crafts.
Bacardi Artisans Fair: San Juan, first two Sundays in December. The largest artisans' fair on the island features more than 100 artisans who turn out to exhibit and sell their wares. The fair includes shows for adults and children, a Puerto Rican troubadour contest, rides, and typical food and drink - all sold by nonprofit organizations. It is held on the grounds of the world's largest rum-manufacturing plant in Cataño, an industrial suburb set on a peninsula jutting into San Juan Bay.
Las Mañanitas: Ponce, December 12. A religious procession that starts out from Lolita Tizol Street and moves toward the city's Catholic church, led by mariachis singing songs to honor Our Lady of Guadalupe, the city's patron saint. The lead song is the traditional Mexican birthday song, Las Mañanitas.
Hatillo Masks Festival: Hatillo, late December. This tradition, celebrated since 1823, represents the biblical story of King Herod's ordering the death of all infant boys in an attempt to kill the baby Jesus. Men with colorful masks and costumes represent the soldiers, who run or ride through the town from early morning, looking for the children. Food, music, and crafts are exhibited in the town square.
Lighting of the Town of Bethlehem: between San Cristóbal Fort and Plaza San Juan Bautista in Old San Juan, during the Christmas season. Many islanders themselves drive into San Juan to see this dramatic lighting, the finest display of lights in the Caribbean at Christmas.
Christmas Eve and Christmas: observed island wide every December 24 and 25, respectively.
Festival del Güiro y Música Típica: December TBA. A guiro is a hollowed-out gourd from a calabash tree, and it is the featured instrument in this Puerto Rican music festival. Also at this festival you'll find food, drinks, and children's programs.
Children's Festival, Day of the Innocent: December TBA.
Petate Festival: Sábana Grande, mid-December. Petate crafts are made from palm tree leaves and were used hundreds of years ago by the indigenous Puerto Ricans. This festival honors that ancient craft by selling and making new Petate crafts.
Bacardi Artisans Fair: San Juan, first two Sundays in December. The largest artisans' fair on the island features more than 100 artisans who turn out to exhibit and sell their wares. The fair includes shows for adults and children, a Puerto Rican troubadour contest, rides, and typical food and drink - all sold by nonprofit organizations. It is held on the grounds of the world's largest rum-manufacturing plant in Cataño, an industrial suburb set on a peninsula jutting into San Juan Bay.
Las Mañanitas: Ponce, December 12. A religious procession that starts out from Lolita Tizol Street and moves toward the city's Catholic church, led by mariachis singing songs to honor Our Lady of Guadalupe, the city's patron saint. The lead song is the traditional Mexican birthday song, Las Mañanitas.
Hatillo Masks Festival: Hatillo, late December. This tradition, celebrated since 1823, represents the biblical story of King Herod's ordering the death of all infant boys in an attempt to kill the baby Jesus. Men with colorful masks and costumes represent the soldiers, who run or ride through the town from early morning, looking for the children. Food, music, and crafts are exhibited in the town square.
Lighting of the Town of Bethlehem: between San Cristóbal Fort and Plaza San Juan Bautista in Old San Juan, during the Christmas season. Many islanders themselves drive into San Juan to see this dramatic lighting, the finest display of lights in the Caribbean at Christmas.
Christmas Eve and Christmas: observed island wide every December 24 and 25, respectively.