Parties, festivals and events
Upcoming events
Dates are the traditional ones each year and may change; confirm with the organisers.
Photo: SeleneYang, CC BY-SA 4.0 January 17–27
San Sebastián festival and El Güegüense
Diriamba honours its patron saint with El Güegüense, a UNESCO-listed satirical dance-drama, the Toro Huaco and the meeting of the saints with Jinotepe and San Marcos.
Mid-February
Granada International Poetry Festival
A week of readings, music and a poetic carnival in Granada's colonial streets, with poets from dozens of countries.
March or April, dates vary
Holy Week on the beaches
The busiest week of the year in San Juan del Sur, Pochomil, Las Peñitas and Ometepe: concerts, parties and packed buses. Buy your ticket in advance.
Photo: Dylan Wooters, CC BY-SA 2.0 April to October
Surf season and parties in Popoyo
Big swells, surf contests and full-moon parties organised by the hostels of Guasacate and Popoyo. Ask the hostels for each event's dates.
All of May
Palo de Mayo in Bluefields
The country's biggest Afro-Caribbean festival: Palo de Mayo dances, carnival and the election of the Mayaya Queen throughout the month.
Around June 24
San Juan del Sur patron saint festival
Celebrations for Saint John the Baptist with a sea procession, horse parade, bull-riding and parties along the seafront.
Around July 25
Santiago Apóstol festival in Jinotepe
Processions, the meeting of the saints with San Marcos and Diriamba, horse parade and bull-riding in Carazo's capital.
July 20–26
Santa Ana festival in Moyogalpa, Ometepe
Moyogalpa's patron saint festival: horse parade, bull-riding, processions and dances at the foot of Concepción volcano. Ferries fill up; buy your return in advance.
Photo: MarioFernandoAburto, CC BY-SA 4.0 August 1 and 10
Santo Domingo festival in Managua
The saint is carried down from Las Sierritas on August 1 and back up on the 10th, with devotees, floats, a horse parade and thousands of people in the streets of Managua.
August 14–15
Assumption festival and Granada horse parade
The country's most famous horse parade rides through central Granada, with parties on Calle La Calzada and processions for the Virgin of the Assumption.
August 14
La Gritería Chiquita in León
León's own version of the Gritería, commemorating the 1947 eruption of Cerro Negro: altars to the Virgin, fireworks and shouts of “¿Quién causa tanta alegría?” across the city.
Around August 15
Juigalpa patron saint festival
Horse parade, bull-riding and the traditional “bajada de los toros” in the cattle capital of Chontales.
Photo: Jorge Mejía peralta from Managua, Nicaragua, CC BY 2.0 From September 20 to early December
San Jerónimo festival in Masaya
Nicaragua's longest patron saint festival: processions, the Torovenado, marimba dances and the “agüizotes” in the capital of folklore.
November 12–18
San Diego de Alcalá festival in Altagracia, Ometepe
The Zompopo dance and processions in Altagracia, on the Maderas volcano side of the island. Buses and taxis run from Moyogalpa.
Photo: DayanaFerraris, CC BY-SA 4.0 December 7 (with novenas from November 28)
La Gritería and La Purísima
The most Nicaraguan celebration of all: altars to the Virgin in every home, fireworks and gifts for those who shout “¿Quién causa tanta alegría?”. León and Granada are the classic places to experience it.
Every week
Every Sunday
Sunday Funday in San Juan del Sur
The famous pool crawl across several hostels in town from noon onwards. Wristband entry; sells out in high season.
Events by city
Events in San Juan del Sur
Every Sunday
Sunday Funday in San Juan del Sur
The famous pool crawl across several hostels in town from noon onwards. Wristband entry; sells out in high season.
March or April, dates vary
Holy Week on the beaches
The busiest week of the year in San Juan del Sur, Pochomil, Las Peñitas and Ometepe: concerts, parties and packed buses. Buy your ticket in advance.
Around June 24
San Juan del Sur patron saint festival
Celebrations for Saint John the Baptist with a sea procession, horse parade, bull-riding and parties along the seafront.
Events in Granada
Mid-February
Granada International Poetry Festival
A week of readings, music and a poetic carnival in Granada's colonial streets, with poets from dozens of countries.
August 14–15
Assumption festival and Granada horse parade
The country's most famous horse parade rides through central Granada, with parties on Calle La Calzada and processions for the Virgin of the Assumption.
Events in León
August 14
La Gritería Chiquita in León
León's own version of the Gritería, commemorating the 1947 eruption of Cerro Negro: altars to the Virgin, fireworks and shouts of “¿Quién causa tanta alegría?” across the city.
Photo: DayanaFerraris, CC BY-SA 4.0 December 7 (with novenas from November 28)
La Gritería and La Purísima
The most Nicaraguan celebration of all: altars to the Virgin in every home, fireworks and gifts for those who shout “¿Quién causa tanta alegría?”. León and Granada are the classic places to experience it.
Events in Moyogalpa (Ometepe island)
July 20–26
Santa Ana festival in Moyogalpa, Ometepe
Moyogalpa's patron saint festival: horse parade, bull-riding, processions and dances at the foot of Concepción volcano. Ferries fill up; buy your return in advance.
November 12–18
San Diego de Alcalá festival in Altagracia, Ometepe
The Zompopo dance and processions in Altagracia, on the Maderas volcano side of the island. Buses and taxis run from Moyogalpa.
Events in Bluefields
All of May
Palo de Mayo in Bluefields
The country's biggest Afro-Caribbean festival: Palo de Mayo dances, carnival and the election of the Mayaya Queen throughout the month.
Events in Diriamba
Photo: SeleneYang, CC BY-SA 4.0 January 17–27
San Sebastián festival and El Güegüense
Diriamba honours its patron saint with El Güegüense, a UNESCO-listed satirical dance-drama, the Toro Huaco and the meeting of the saints with Jinotepe and San Marcos.
Events in Jinotepe
Around July 25
Santiago Apóstol festival in Jinotepe
Processions, the meeting of the saints with San Marcos and Diriamba, horse parade and bull-riding in Carazo's capital.
Events in Juigalpa
Around August 15
Juigalpa patron saint festival
Horse parade, bull-riding and the traditional “bajada de los toros” in the cattle capital of Chontales.
Events in Managua
Photo: MarioFernandoAburto, CC BY-SA 4.0 August 1 and 10
Santo Domingo festival in Managua
The saint is carried down from Las Sierritas on August 1 and back up on the 10th, with devotees, floats, a horse parade and thousands of people in the streets of Managua.
Events in Masaya
Photo: Jorge Mejía peralta from Managua, Nicaragua, CC BY 2.0 From September 20 to early December
San Jerónimo festival in Masaya
Nicaragua's longest patron saint festival: processions, the Torovenado, marimba dances and the “agüizotes” in the capital of folklore.
Events in Popoyo (surf beach)
Photo: Dylan Wooters, CC BY-SA 2.0 April to October
Surf season and parties in Popoyo
Big swells, surf contests and full-moon parties organised by the hostels of Guasacate and Popoyo. Ask the hostels for each event's dates.
Promote your party or event
Beach parties, festivals, fairs: appear in the calendar and on the routes that lead to your event. Email us for prices.
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