Festivals and Events

January:

Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastián. The January festival features four nights of live music as well as food festivals and cabezudos parades, where folk legends are caricatured in oversize masks. www.discoverpuertorico.com/en/experiences/culture.

February–early March:

Carnival. In the days preceding Lent, Ponce celebrates Carnival with flamboyant costumes, parades, and music. www.visitponce.com.

Casals Festival. Every year, San Juan honors world-renowned cellist Pablo Casals, who lived in Puerto Rico for nearly three decades until his death. Classical music performances feature the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra, as well as local and international soloists, trios, and quartets. 787/723–5005.

Jayuya Fiesta del Café. One of several coffee festivals held annually around the island, Jayuya's Fiesta del Café features all the usual activities at these types of events, but is notable for la colada del café, which organizers contend is the largest coffeepot on the island, brewing up to 100 pounds of coffee at once. Free.

April:

Saborea Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico's largest culinary event is a three-day extravaganza held at Escambrón Beach in San Juan. It includes presentations by island and international chefs, as well as food from local restaurants, featuring beer, wine, and rum tastings. saboreapuertorico.com.

May:

Puerto Rico Restaurant Week. This one-week islandwide dining celebration, held every June, is the perfect opportunity to visit top restaurants and enjoy specially priced prix-fixe menus as well as lunch and dinner menus. www.prrestaurantweek.com.

June:

Late June–early July:

Aibonito Flower Festival. This popular festival displays incredible tropical foliage, including countless varieties of colorful orchids and ginger plants. There's also plenty of food and music.

September:

Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra. The annual season of the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra begins in San Juan with classical and pop performances by the island's finest orchestra. 787/723–5005; www.ospr.pr.gov/the-orchestra.

November

Festival del Mundillo. Moca's Festival del Mundillo showcases delicate woven lace with demonstrations and exhibits.

Festival de Café. The mountain towns of Maricao and Yauco host the annual Festival de Café. Performers play music, and artisans and home cooks sell their crafts and regional foods.

December:

Festival de las Máscaras. The annual Festival de las Máscaras honors the mask-making traditions of Hatillo, where colorful masks used in religious processions have been crafted for centuries.