Five Events in Costa Rica To Check Out in 2026

This guide highlights some of the most notable events in Costa Rica taking place throughout 2026. Rather than a full calendar or planning guide, it’s meant to give a quick sense of what’s happening around the country over the course of the year, touching on a mix of music, cultural, and national events that visitors and residents may want to be aware of.

Travelers to Costa Rica generally come for the beaches, nature, and outdoor adventures but there’s a lot more to the country than that. Costa Rica also has a busy and varied events calendar, with large public festivals, international music events, and nationally significant celebrations spread throughout the year. Some are highly localized, while others draw crowds from across the country or beyond. For travelers and residents, knowing when these events take place can help explain why certain destinations feel more crowded, more festive, or simply different at particular times of year. This overview highlights five events in Costa Rica in 2026 to check out if you’re so inclined:

Fiestas de Palmares (January)

The Fiestas de Palmares (simply called “Palmares” and everyone knows what you’re talking about) is Costa Rica’s largest and most widely attended festival, drawing large crowds to the countryside town of Palmares each January. The event is best known for its major outdoor concerts, amusement rides, traditional bullfighting, and the tope, a large horse parade that attracts riders from across the country.

During Palmares, the town revolves almost entirely around the festival, with activity running throughout the day and night. Visitors arrive from across the Central Valley and beyond, making it one of the clearest examples of a large, locally driven Costa Rican celebration that blends long-standing traditions with modern entertainment.

Picnic Festival (March)

The Picnic Festival is one of Costa Rica’s major contemporary music events and a central fixture in the country’s live music calendar. In 2026, the lineup includes internationally recognized artists like Christina Aguilera, Maná, and Christian Nodal, highlighting the festival’s ability to attract major global acts.

Rather than running as a single continuous festival, Picnic takes place across two separate Saturdays in March, with each date featuring its own lineup of international and regional performers. Held in San Antonio de Heredia in the Central Valley, the event draws large crowds from across Costa Rica and the region, offering a clear look at the country’s modern entertainment scene and its growing role as a host for large-scale music events.

Romería – Virgen de los Ángeles (August)

The Romería is Costa Rica’s most important religious pilgrimage and takes place on August 2, the feast day of Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles (Our Lady of the Angels), the country’s patron saint. On this date each year, hundreds of thousands of people walk to the Basilica of Our Lady of the Angels in Cartago, many traveling on foot from San José and other parts of the Central Valley.

At the center of the pilgrimage is La Negrita, a small stone statue associated with Costa Rica’s Catholic tradition and national identity. While participation in the Romería is religious, the event has a broader cultural impact that extends well beyond the church. Major roads leading into Cartago fill with pilgrims, temporary support stations line the routes, and the movement of people becomes one of the most visible nationwide events of the year.

Chicharrones Festival (Puriscal, November)

The Chicharrones Festival in Puriscal is a food-focused celebration held at the end of November and into early December, centered on Costa Rica’s love of pork and traditional rural cuisine. The festival takes place in the town’s central park and brings together local cooks, vendors, musicians, and visitors from across the Central Valley.

Fresh chicharrones are prepared throughout the day, alongside other local dishes, while live music, community activities, and friendly competitions give the event a strong small-town feel. For visitors, the festival offers a grounded look at Costa Rican food culture and community life, and it marks the beginning of a busier, more festive period leading into December.

Festival de la Luz (December)

The Festival de la Luz is San José’s most prominent end-of-year event and one of Costa Rica’s best-known public celebrations. Held in December, the festival features an illuminated parade through the capital, with decorated floats, marching bands, music, and large crowds lining the streets.

The event signals the start of the holiday season and brings a festive, family-friendly atmosphere to downtown San José. Streets close, spectators gather hours in advance, and the city takes on a celebratory tone that contrasts with its usual pace.

Other Events Worth Knowing About

Envision Festival (Uvita, February–March)

Envision is an international music, arts, and sustainability festival held near Uvita on the southern Pacific coast, drawing a global audience and temporarily transforming the area with performances, workshops, and installations.

Boyero (Escazú, March)

A traditional celebration honoring Costa Rica’s ox-cart drivers, featuring a parade of decorated ox carts through the village of San Antonio de Escazú, along with food, music, and rural traditions tied to the country’s agricultural heritage.

Guanacaste Annexation Day (July)

A national holiday celebrating the annexation of Guanacaste to Costa Rica, marked across the province with parades, folkloric dancing, traditional music, and regional food festivals.

Limón Carnival (October)

A major Afro-Caribbean celebration centered in the city of Limón, featuring music, parades, and street festivities that highlight the province’s distinct cultural identity.

Wrapping Up

These events represent a small percentage of what’s going on around the country, but we believe that taken together, they highlight the variety of experiences that shape life and culture in Costa Rica. Some attract international attention, others are rooted in long-standing national traditions, and a few reflect the country’s evolving cultural scene. Being aware of when these events take place adds useful context to travel and everyday life, and shows that Costa Rica’s calendar extends well beyond its natural attractions.