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The Party Season Is Still Sizzling In Puerto RicoEdited by Sarah WilmanThe holiday season in Puerto Rico officially began in early December with the lighting of the Christmas Tree at Paseo La Princesa in Old San Juan. The holiday festivities continue for two months and the island has its own version of Mardi Gras, the San Sebastián Festival in late January. Locals celebrate the rich culture, traditions and history of Puerto Rico with festivals and parades well into the New Year. Party At A New Year Extravaganza The “Celebremos con Puerto Rico 2007” is a new year’s eve extravaganza. This celebration will include musical performances by local celebrities, authentic food, island cocktails and a colorful firework display, as the island rings in the New Year live on Univision. The vivid festivities are set against the backdrop of the ultra-modern and impressive architectural design of Puerto Rico’s new convention center. Visitors to San Juan can join the locals at the largest outdoor festivity of the year with musical performances by Julio César Sanabria, Ricardo Villanueva, LimiT21, Héctor “The Father” with his Rompe Discotecas and NG2. Party On Three Kings Day Three Kings Day on January 6th commemorates the Biblical story of the three kings who followed the star of Bethlehem to bring gifts to the Christ child. Also known as The Epiphany, and commonly known in Puerto Rico as El Día de los Reyes, this is a treasured holiday on the island. Island-wide festivals take place with lively music, parades, puppet shows, troubadours, dancing and parties. Traditional holiday food is served including delicious dishes such as pasteles, arroz con dulce and tembleque. The largest celebration is in Juana Diaz at Porta Caribe but smaller celebrations occur throughout in towns such as Ponce, Coamo, and Orocovis. In San Juan, a full day of family activities is held at Parque Luis Muñoz Rivera and the Escambrón Beach. Still Going? Party At The San Sebastian Festival The annual San Sebastián Festival, from January 22nd through 25th is undeniably the blowout of the year. The island’s most fun-loving people join together in Old San Juan’s seven-square-block historic district to create the Caribbean’s best nightlife and a world-class party. Originating in 1970, the weekend-long celebration was instituted by then-San Juan Mayor Felisa Rincón and today more than 250,000 people participate in the festivities. The party kicks off with a parade honoring Puerto Rico’s cultural figures and quickly becomes a celebration. During the day, families stroll around the Old City, looking at the latest offering from local artists and artisans. The locals parade in traditional Puerto Rican masks (cabezudos) which are vibrantly colored in red, yellow and blue and create the illusion of comical oversized heads. In the evening, the artists put their work away, and thousands gather on San Sebastián Street in a celebratory manner. Live music gears up to provide a party in which the young and old dance to salsa and classic Puerto Rican tunes. Many who come to celebrate bring their own instruments, and on street corners groups of musicians start off their own music, while strangers dance together hand in hand. Numerous artisans also gather together at the Cuartel de Ballajá to showcase traditional handmade arts and crafts. For more information: www.GoToPuertoRico.com Read about another traveller‘s experiences in the old city: |
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