2011 Festival Announcements Made as Holiday Festivities Close 2010

Without a doubt, San Jose is the place to be in Costa Rica during the summer if you want to get a taste of culture and enjoy festivals. This December, while chillier than most is still full of holiday festivities to enjoy as we launch into full summer in January. A list of remaining December activities is below, as well as dates to mark on your calendars for the rest of summer. 

Lights of Christmas Fair: Come and browse artisan crafts, art and jewelry as you finish holiday gift shopping. Next to the National Theater, Dec. 14 - 19. One of our favorites AHM will be there!

Holiday Jazz Vocals, Maria Pretiz: Snuggle up with your loved ones this Fri. at one of San Jose's newest restaurants Roma Caffe. Every Fri. they offer live music, and this week is a special guest and Costa Rican composer and vocalist Maria Pretiz. No cover, 8 p.m. 


Our Land Festival: As an effort to clean up Costa Rica, this festival will be a marathon recycling event and drop center for paper, plastics, glass, batteries, cardboard and cans. After you lighten your load of recyclables get down to live music all day long. La Sabana Park, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Free.

National Bands Holiday Concerts: The bands of the Greater Metropolitan Area (GAM) will give 4 concerts this weekend at the Plaza de Democracia next to the National Museum. Celebrating 165 years of the forming of the national bands, over 200 musicians will perform Christmas pieces, Costa Rican pieces and a variety of other classics. Additionally the Christmas lottery winner will be announced during the last concert on Sunday. Starts at 4 on Sat. 3 on Sunday. 

Speed Dating: Still looking for a loved one to snuggle with over the holidays? Come to Caracas Arepia Wed. Dec. 22 to meet other professional singles. (Hate that I have to say this, but this is not a prostitution meet up, only those not wanting to buy love please). Special request to single ladies: DON'T BE SHY, come out!

Christmas Tope: If you haven't yet seen a tope, a horse dancing festival, The day after Christmas is a good day to do so. Starts around 12 on the 26th, Paseo Colon. Warning, this is really an excuse to get drunk in the street and ride a horse, not necessarily a good combination. Be safe!

Bullfights: I don't even want to spoil this for anyone. Let's just say Costa Rica has it's own special version of bullfights where humans are injured, not bulls. These fights are all day starting Christmas Day for about 10 days at Ampo Ferial en Zapote.

CENAC Summer Festival: The Cenac summer festival series is free and will feature concerts and art shows  for all ages to give exposure to Costa Rican artists the weekends of March 4,5, and 6 and 11, 12, 13. 

TransitArte: This festival will partner with CENAC the weekend of March 11, 12, and 13 to bring art to the parks and public spaces of the North East parts of downtown San Jose in an effort to bring people back into the city center. 

International Design Festival: Artists from around the world representing graphic, interior, fashion and art design will gather to host workshops, fairs, exhibitions and parties to display and discuss the lastest in all things design. Save the dates for March 10, 11 and 12. More info at FID. 

National Theater: The theater has announced it's 2011 calendar. For those of you that missed Lila Downs this past winter, you'll have another chance. Full PDF here. 

Christmas Lights, San Jose Costa Rica

Public Art, TranistArte 2010

Sonambulo TransiteArte 2010

Full Week of Culture in San Jose, Costa Rica

Summer is almost here with the ending of the rain, and a full calendar of events this week is a great reason to get outside! The weather has also been great for a San Jose, Costa Rica walking tour for travelers and residents alike!

Art City Tour

The art city tour is back this Wed. For those of you unfamiliar with the project, a number of galleries and museums downtown open their doors for free to the public. Buses are available for safe transit in between, as well as new tours on bike with ChepeCletas and walking tours with U4. The French Alliance will host a mini-fashion show, Shadows of the Moon, featuring a collection by designer and Belgium french teacher, Magaly Timmerman. 6 - 8 p.m.

Why is Carmen Lyra on the New 20,000 Colones Note

Visit the auditorium this Thurs. at the Central Bank Museum for a talk about beloved Costa Rican children's author, Carmen Lyra. 90 years after the publication of the famous Cuentos de mi Tía Panchita you can hear about the significance of these works in Central America's children's literacy. In Spanish, 6 p.m.

Live Hammock Making from 6-pack Plastics Rings

This Sat. bring your 6-pack plastics the organic farmer's market in Barrio Aranjuez downtown. There will be two hammocks on display and the artist, Francesco Bracco, will be showing us how to make them. In addition you can do your weekly produce shopping as well as share in the many artists organic products. 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. Go early if you want best pick of produce. 

Christmas Celebration & Shopping

CENAC will host a Christmas festival with typical Costa Rican food, artisan crafts and live concerts from national bands including Sonámbulo, Gaviota, Enjuague vocal, De voz a vos, Libélula y Lubín Barahona.

Barrio Bird offers walking tours of San Jose. If you are a visitor or have lived here for some time, there is always a new way to see the city. View tours or make a reservation by emailing barriobird@gmail.com or calling 8926-9867.