Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Festivals & Events
Aside from Festival San Sebastián, which becomes more adult-oriented during the evening,
all of the following festivals retain a congenial atmosphere that is favorable to families.
Unless otherwise noted, information on the following events can be obtained by contacting
the PRTC.
Festival de la Calle San Sebastián
CULTURAL FESTIVAL
For a full week in mid-January, the old city's famous party street, San Sebastián, hums with
semi-religious processions, music, food stalls and larger-than-ever crowds. During the day,
it's folk art and crafts; at night, it's drunken revelry.
Fiesta de San Juan Bautista
CULTURAL FESTIVAL
Celebration of the patron saint of San Juan and a summer solstice party, Latin style. Staged
during the week preceding June 24, the heart of the action - including religious pro-
cessions, wandering minstrels, fireworks, food stalls, drunken sailors and beauty queens
(straight and otherwise) - is in Old San Juan, but the rest of the city gets into the act as well
and parties down on the last day of the fiesta at Playa Isla Verde. During this decidedly odd
festival, devotees walk backwards into the ocean in the middle of the night - apparently for
good luck.
Fo Culinary Fest
FOOD
Fo's alfresco culinary festival is a semi- annual movable feast that happens in late fall and
again in mid-summer. For three nights, a two-block wedge of Fortaleza is closed to traffic
and commandeered by local restaurateurs who set up their tables in the street and rustle up
their best dishes. Live bands drop by, belly dancers entertain diners and the food is sizz-
lingly good.
JazzFest
JAZZ
Puerto Rico's largest jazz fest, courtesy of Heineken and held from late May to early June,
attracts the best Latin jazz artists from all over the Caribbean. The late, great Tito Puente
sometimes played here, and Eddie Palmieri still does.
