Latin America has a festival for every day of the year!
Every village seems to have its patron saint – and as well there are the big holidays celebrated no matter where you go. Check out the articles below to find the action and traditions.
Also check Countries for articles about the holidays of specific countries and cities.
And if you want to plan your jaunt through the region according to the multitudes of fiestas, then grab a copy of 365 Days On The Fiesta Continent, written by Kali Kucera and Lorraine Caputo.
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FÊTING THE SUN: The Andean Raymi Festivals
Raymi ceremonies are usually held at places of historical important, like archaeological sites. In Quito, Inti Raymi is celebrated on Plaza San Francisco, where some claim Inca Atahualpa’s palace once stood. photo © Lorraine Caputo
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January
GAUCHITO GIL : A Home-Grown Saint for Travelers and Justice
The chapels’ walls are covered with photos, plaques and gifts thanking Gauchito Gil for his intercession on matters of health, justice and journeys. photo © Lorraine Caputo
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January – February (Moveable Feast)
CHINATOWN MEETS LATIN AMERICA
(Lunar New Year)
Celebrating Chinese New Year in Lima, Peru. photo © Lorraine Caputo
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February – March (Moveable Feast)
CARNIVAL SEASON IN SOUTH AMERICA
Carnaval in Santa Marta, Colombia. photo ©Lorraine Caputo
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March – April (Moveable Feast)
THE PASSION OF CHRIST : Quito’s Good Friday Procession
photo © Lorraine Caputo
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SEMANA SANTA IN LATIN AMERICA : A Poetic – Photographic Journey
One of the most spectacular Semana Santa processions in Quito is that of Good Friday, dedicated to the Señor de Gran Poder. Unlike most penitents who carry heavy crosses, shackles, stinging nettle or some instruments of flagellation, this cucurucho chose to carry a flower. photo © Lorraine Caputo
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Semana Santa in Latin America
Palm Sunday in Cartagena (Colombia). Photo by Lorraine Caputo
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May
MAY DAY IN LATIN AMERICA – A Poetic – Photographic Journey
The opposition march. May Day, 2014. Quito, Ecuador. photo © Lorraine Caputo
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June
WHEN THE SUN STANDS STILL : 4 Big June Fests in Latin America
The equatorial sun on the June solstice. photo © Lorraine Caputo
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A FEAST DAY IN THE COUNTRY – AND THE CITY : Fêting San Antonio in Latin America
San Antonio. La Recoleta Church (Quito, Ecuador). photo © Lorraine Caputo
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PATRONS OF FISHERMEN : San Pedro and San Pablo
San Pablo (Saint Paul) arrives to Arica after his jaunt around the bay. photo © Lorraine Caputo
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September
VIRGEN DE LA MERCED – VIRGIN OF MERCY
photo © Lorraine Caputo
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November
JOURNEYS INTO THE LAND OF THE DEAD
Día de los Difuntos funerary procession. Quito, Ecuador. photo © Lorraine Caputo
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WHEN THE VEILS PART : Honoring Our Dead
La Catrina is a popular figure in Mexico’s Día de los Muertos presentations. photo © Lorraine Caputo
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WHEN THE VEILS PART : Honoring Our Dead – Part Two
San Diego cemetery is Quito’s oldest graveyard. Its beautiful funerary architecture is on par with that found in Latin America’s finest cemetery, Recoleta in Buenos Aires. photo © Lorraine Caputo
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WHEN THE VEILS PART : Honoring Our Dead – Part Three
The German community in Osorno (in the Lake District of Chile) has its own graveyard, called Cemeterio Alemán. photo © Lorraine Caputo
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Galápagos Sketches : WHEN THE VEILS PART
Within the undulating walls of the cemetery in Puerto Ayora, Galápagos Islands. photo © Lorraine Caputo
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December
CHRISTMAS IN LATIN AMERICA : A Poetic – Photographic Journey
This beautiful pesebre in Iglesia Señora del Carmen (Pamplona, Colombia) extends half-ways down the nave. photo © Lorraine Caputo
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NEW YEARS EVE IN LATIN AMERICA : A Photographic – Poetic Journey
At the stroke of midnight, eat one grape at each toll, making a wish of what you desire the New Year to bring you. ©Lorraine Caputo
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