If you’re thinking of visiting Nicaragua this year, you’re bound to stumble across a small local event, festival or other celebration. It’s an opportunity to take a close interest in the event and take some great photos, respectfully of course. There’s never a dull moment in Nicaragua.
A quick look at the agency’s website will give you the key dates. Here’s another look at the year’s celebrations in the land of lakes, volcanoes and waves.
In January, it’s all about baseball around here. You can often catch the finals between the best national leagues. Every town and village has its own stadium or cancha. Managua, of course, has a beautiful new stadium.
In February, its poetry time. Nicaragua is at the heart of a number of literary festivals. A certain renown in the region is floating around. Many Latin American artists are visiting the country. Perhaps you’ll come across a poet passing through Granada?
March invites you to Masaya. The feast of San Lazaro awaits you on Palm Sunday. Put on your best shirt, it seems that even pets are dressed up.
April and Holy Week… What can I say? How can I explain it to you? The easiest way is to come and see for yourself. All in all, it’s the rare vacation that all Nicaraguans share.
May! Let’s dance! On the Caribbean side, Bluefields and its coast welcome the Palo de Mayo festival. Forget the jokes and references to Saint Benedicta, this is a celebration of fertility! A little trip to the east might be a good idea.
Catarina and Apoyo in June! F
iesta de San Juan Bautista in the little village on the crest of the lagoon. We celebrate John the Baptist!
July, especially on the 17th! The end of the dictatorship! It’s the day of joy, dia de alegria! Red and black are out, with marching bands and parades.
The celebration of the end of slavery takes place in August on the Corn Islands. The Caribbean coast wakes up and celebrates! Caribbean atmosphere guaranteed! Meanwhile, Managua celebrates its patron saint. From1st to 10th. Make a note of it, you never know. You’ll wonder less in the capital’s traffic as you pass parades and rodeos.
Is it back to school in September? No, not really. In Nicaragua, school starts in February. In the north, September is a time to celebrate corn in all its forms. On September 15, both nationally and in the region, we also celebrate the end of Spanish colonial rule in Central America. It’s patriotic month in Nicaragua, when independence is commemorated, and white flags and uniforms are brought out! This can last for several days. The French Revolution and its modern ideals can be seen as an invitation to liberate the region and the world.
The last month of the rainy season, October, also has its own festival. In Masaya, the Agüizotes are celebrated, a syncretic blend of local traditions and ancient Iberian beliefs. Masks are worn and people dance the night away. Masaya is much more than a volcano and a craft market this month.
November and its « aquatic » carnival. Caravans, bands and parades float down the Rio San Juan around San Carlos. A spectacle not to be missed around November 20.
Everyone shouts, sings and throws firecrackers in December. It’s the griteria. An impressive sight to behold, especially in Leon, in the north of the country. The Purisima is a celebration of the Virgin Mary’s conception. The celebration of the Immaculate Conception. But don’t be fooled: the spectacle doesn’t take place in the many churches, but rather in the streets,wheretheyear comes to an end. Next year‘s program will be thesame, if Dios quiere.
Plan your next trip to Nicaragua!
