No country in the Caribbean is as steeped in Spanish culture and tradition as Puerto Rico. One of the many benefits of such a rich heritage is the large number of festivals held across the country each year. Events range in size and duration, from simple one-day festivals held in honor of a patron saint, to all-year-long dance festivals, but all offer a glimpse into the island’s customs and culture.

Winter

Traditional holidays, such as Christmas and New Year’s Eve, dominate the Puerto Rican event calendar early in winter. In addition to the plethora of holiday parades, parties and pageants, visitors can also enjoy live music at the Bacardi Artisan Fair in early December, or observe mask-making traditions in the annual Festivals de los Mascaras held all around the island. On January 6, locals celebrate Three Kings Day, marking the official end of the Christmas season, before moving on to one of the largest, most vibrant celebrations in San Juan, the San Sebastian Patron Saint Festival, which is held during the third week of January each year. The Saint Sebastian Festival is followed by the Casals Festival, a 10-day musical event in February to honor cellist Pablo Casals.

Spring

In the weeks preceding Lent, Puerto Rico celebrates Carnival, the Caribbean version of Mardi Gras. Although many Carnival festivals take place throughout the island, the liveliest and largest is in the city of Ponce. It is an exuberant, rowdy affair punctuated by thumping music, glitzy parades, flamboyant costumes and massive crowds. Once the Carnival season has passed, Puerto Ricans clear their plates and their palates in preparation for their largest annual culinary event,the Saborea Puerto Rico, a three-day food tasting-and-cooking competition in April. In May, Puerto Ricans observe Danza, a festival celebrating the graceful, formal dance style created by the citizens of Ponce. As spring comes to a close, the city of San Juan inaugurates the summer season with the annual, four-day Heineken Jazz Festival (prheinekenjazz.com).

Summer

June marks the official beginning of hurricane season in Puerto Rico, but that doesn’t stop celebrants from all over the island from observing Noche de San Juan Bautista, a week-long festival held at the end of June in honor of the island’s patron saint. June is also the traditional time for the Feria de Artesanias, a three-day art festival, and the Puerto Rico Salsa Congress, a seven-day event surrounding the World Salsa Open Dance competition. As June turns into July, locals don their walking shoes and head for the Aibonito Flower Festival. Spread over 25 acres of land, this festival features incredible displays of tropical foliage, food from local restaurants and free music.

Fall

Early fall is devoted, primarily, to country fairs and local festivals; however, the month of September marks the official start of the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra season and High Fashion week, when the island’s top designers show off their latest creations. As hurricane season comes to an end at the end of fall, Puerto Rico prepares for the seasonal influx of winter tourists with the Catando y Picando food and wine festival. The locals then begin preparations for the upcoming holiday season by celebrating the Discovery of Puerto Rico Day on November 19, a national holiday filled with parades, troubadours and traditional Puerto Rican dishes.

About the Author

Lisa Parris is a writer and former features editor of "The Caldwell County News." Her work has also appeared in the "Journal of Comparative Parasitology," "The Monterey County Herald" and "The Richmond Daily News." In 2012, Parris was honored with awards from the Missouri Press Association for best feature story, best feature series and best humor series.

Photo Credits

  • Digital Vision./Digital Vision/Getty Images
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