Calendar of Events
This calendar contains a sampling of events scheduled across the island. All are open to the public. Most require no reservations. Many are free. You can plan on attending at least one of these events during your visit to Puerto Rico so that you can get a sampling of the culture. You will likely find local food and music at almost all of these events. And where there’s music, there’s bound to be singing and dancing!
The dates and times in this list are accurate to the best of our knowledge. But dates and times sometimes change at the last minute without any notice. We suggest calling ahead to make sure that the event you plan on attending is actually being held as published.
We’ve also included a list of holidays observed here in Puerto Rico. On some holidays (Good Friday comes to mind), the island virtually shuts down. If you’re planning on taking a tour or visiting an attraction on one of these holidays, we suggest that you call ahead just to make sure they’re going to be open.
| Year-Round Events | ||
|---|---|---|
| 7 days/week @ every hour on the hour Daily Fort Orientation Talks A National Park Service ranger provides a short, informational talk everyday, every hour on the hour, in the main plaza of both Castillos San Felipe del Morro and San Cristobal. Duration of the talk is approximately 20 minutes. Main Plaza of El Morro and Fort San Cristóbal 787-729-6777 | ||
| when cruise ships are in port @ throughout the day Artisans Market at Plaza Darsenas Visit the artisans and other vendors in the area around La Casita when there are cruise ships in port. on the bay, near La Casita, across from the Visitors' Center 787-722-1709 | ||
| Mondays @ 8:30pm Humberto Ramerez Big Band Traditional and Puerto Rican Jazz. $10 cover charge. Presented by Heineken. Yerba Buena Restaurant 1350 Ashford Ave, Condado 787-721-5700 | ||
| Tuesdays @ 6pm Le-Lo-Lai Program Folkloric Song & Dance Fort San Cristobal 787-721-2400, ext 3901 | ||
| first Wednesdays Salsa Afternoons with a Coffee Aroma Enjoy a lovely afternoon listening to music of Orquesta Kandel. Santiago Palmer Square, Caguas 787-744-8833 | ||
| Wednesdays @ 9pm Live Salsa Music Free live salsa music. Buffalo Wings Restaurant is located at the Luiz Munoz Marin (SJU) Aiport across from terminal C, adjacent to the parking deck. Buffalo Wings Restaurant @ the LMM (SJU) airport 787-253-2111 | ||
| Fridays @ 7pm-10pm Live Top-40 Music In the bar on the first floor. Sheraton Hotel in Old San Juan | ||
| Fridays @ morning Agricultural Market Farmers gather every Friday in the plaza with their products - ornamental plants, fruits, vegatables, and small farm animals. Agropecuaria Plaza, San Sebastian 787-896-1670 | ||
| Fridays @ 9am-noon Discover Nature of OSJ A guided walk through the streets of OSJ to learn about the different ecological components of the historic city. Reservations required. Call for reservations. Offered by the Conservation Trust of PR. Old San Juan 787-722-5834 | ||
| first Friday Paso Fino Horse Show Enjoy a beautiful hacienda and an exquisite exhibition of beautiful horses that execute complex moves to the rhythm of music. Puerto Rican School of Equestrain Arts / Hacienda Don Carmelo 787-858-1378 & 787-723-6531 Visit web site for more info | ||
| last Friday @ evening Boheiam Nights Music festival that includes local poems and folk, romantic and Latin American music. Degetau Street, Carolina 787-752-0703 | ||
| last Friday Al Fresco Music and culinary event. Paseo de las Artes Abelardo Díaz Alfaro in Caguas 787-744-8833 ext. 1833 | ||
| Fridays @ 8:00pm Flamenco Dance Show Flamenco music & dance show, free with dinner. Barrachina, Fortaleza St., Old San Juan 787-725-7912 | ||
| last Friday @ 8:00pm Bomba & Plena Show Afro-puertorican music and dance show. Free admission. Free parking. Cultural & Ecotourism Center in Pinones, Road 187 KM 4.3 768-253-9707 Visit web site for more info | ||
| weekends @ 10:00am - 8:00pm Artisan Exhibits Artisans, food vendor, and music most weekends. Plaza Darsena and Paseo de la Princesa, in Old San Juan 787-722-1709 | ||
| Saturdays @ 7pm-10pm Live Jazz Music In the bar on the first floor. Sheraton Hotel in Old San Juan | ||
| Saturdays @ 2:30pm Lighthouse @ El Morro Discover the lighthouse at El Morro with a park guide. El Morro Fort 787-729-6754 | ||
| Saturdays @ 8:00pm Flamenco Dance Show Flamenco music & dance show, free with dinner. Barrachina, Fortaleza St., Old San Juan 787-725-7912 | ||
| Saturdays @ 8am-1pm Farmers' Market Agricultural market. San Juan Museum courtyard | ||
| second & fourth Saturday @ 7pm Cine de Estuario Free outdoor movies at the Condado Lagoon. Jaime Benitez Park at the Condado Lagoon 787-725-8165 | ||
| first & third Sat @ 9am-noon Discover Nature of OSJ A guided walk through the streets of OSJ to learn about the different ecological components of the historic city. Reservations required. Call for reservations. Offered by the Conservation Trust of PR. Old San Juan 787-722-5834 | ||
| Sundays @ 10:30am San Cristóbal Tunnel Tour Explore the legendary tunnels of Castillo San Cristóbal and discover the essential role they had as a hidden defense for the fortification system. Duration of tour is approx 45 minutes. Main Plaza in Fort San Cristóbal 787-729-6777 | ||
| last Sunday @ 5:30pm-8pm Romantic Sunset Concerts Enjoy local music and dancing on the waterfront while the sun sets. Plaza Darsena, on the waterfront next to La Casita in Old San Juan 787-721-2400 ext 2215 | ||
| Sundays @ 5pm Le-Lo-Lai Program Folkloric Song & Dance Cuartel de Ballaja, Old San Juan 787-721-2400, ext 3901 | ||
| Sundays @ 6:30pm-11pm Noche de Sevillanas Free live music and dance show. Cuartel de Ballaja, Old San Juan 787-775-9438 | ||
| first & third Sunday @ 9am-6pm Rincon Farmers' Market Farmers' Market. Town Square in Rincon 787-823-2180 Visit web site for more info | ||
| first Sunday Mercado Artesanal Criollo Artisans Market Caguas Botanical Gardens 787-744-8833 ext. 1833 | ||
| third Sunday @ 4:00pm-5:00pm Old San Juan Children's Theater Clowns, puppets, games, music and other activities for kids. Paseo La Princesa, Old San Juan 787-721-2400 | ||
| last Sunday @ 5pm Heineken Ventana al Jazz Free live jazz, the last Sunday of each month, presented free at Ventana al Mar in the Condado. Ventana al Mar, Ashford Ave in Condado Visit web site for more info | ||
| Major Holidays in 2012 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Jan 1 | New Year's Day | Most everything closed. |
| Jan 6 | Three King's Day (Día de Reyes) | Most everything closed. |
| Jan 9 | Eugenio Maria de Hostos Day | |
| Jan 16 | Martin Luther King Day | |
| Feb 20 | Presidents Day | |
| Feb 20 | Luis Muñoz Marín Day | |
| Mar 22 | Emancipation Day | |
| Apr 6 | Good Friday (Viernes Santo) | Most everything closed. Beaches open. Forts open. |
| Apr 8 | Easter Sunday | Most everything closed. Beaches open. Forts open. |
| Apr 16 | Jose de Diego Day | |
| May 13 | Mother's Day | Stores are closed. Beaches open. Forts open. |
| May 28 | Memorial Day | |
| Jun 17 | Father's Day | Stores are closed. Beaches open. Forts open. |
| Jun 24 | Saint John's Day (Día de San Juan Bautista) | |
| Jul 4 | US Independence Day | |
| Jul 16 | Luis Muñoz Rivera Day | |
| Jul 25 | Puerto Rico's Constitution Day | |
| Jul 27 | Jose Celso Barbosa Day | |
| Sep 3 | Labor Day | |
| Oct 8 | Columbus Day | |
| Nov 6 | Election Day | |
| Nov 11 | Veterans' Day | |
| Nov 19 | Discovery of Puerto Rico Day | |
| Nov 22 | Thanksgiving Day (Acción de Gracias) | Stores are closed. Forts are closed. |
| Dec 24 | Christmas Eve (Noche Buena) | |
| Dec 25 | Christmas Day (Navidad) | Stores are closed. Forts are closed. El Yunque is closed. |
| Feb 2012 | ||
|---|---|---|
| thru Feb 5 Annual Antique & Exotic Car Show Annual car show. Plaza las Americas Mall | ||
| thru Feb 29 Body Worlds BODY WORLDS is the original anatomical exhibition series displaying authentic human bodies, willed by donors through the Institute for Plastination’s Body Donor Program, and preserved using a process called plastination. Invented by Dr. von Hagens, plastination is a groundbreaking process in which real human specimens are preserved through the science of plastination. The specimens resulting from the revolutionary process are called plastinates. Plastinates show the inner workings of the body and the striking whole-body specimens show the human body in real-life poses, like never seen before. Galeria Paseo Portuario in Old San Juan 787-722-7300 Visit web site for more info | ||
| thru Mar 31 @ 8am-6pm Tall Ship HMS Bounty Tours Tours of the ship offered 7 days/week. near pier 3 in Old San Juan Visit web site for more info | ||
| Feb 3-5 San Juan International Regatta 11th Club Nautico de San Juan’s International Regatta, with over 100 competitors. Club Nautico in San Juan | ||
| Feb 4-5 @ 4pm-midnight Puerto Rico Street Food Fest Festival featuring typical local "street food" served from guagü̈itas (food trucks). Admission is $8. Cost of food inside the festival is $1 to $4. parking area of Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan Visit web site for more info | ||
| Feb 5 San Blas Half Marathon Half marathon. Coamo Visit web site for more info | ||
| Feb 7-12 San Juan Book and Art Fair Literature, Arts and Artisan Fair held throughout various Plazas in Old San Juan, including Plaza Colon, Plaza de Armas, Plaza Salvador Brau, Plaza la Barandilla, San Juan Museum, Tapia Theater. plazas in Old San Juan Visit web site for more info | ||
| Feb 17-19 Maricao Coffee Festival Annual coffee festival. parking area at Parque de Polota in Maricao 787-838-2290 | ||
| Feb 10-11 Puerto Rico Jazz & Cook Activities include tasty food and live music. Participating chefs include Bobby Flay and Marcela Valladolid from the Food Network, and Maira Isabel. Guest jazz musicians include Paquito D'Rivera, Charlie Sepulveda & the Turnaround Band, and Jazzposteao quintet. Tito Puente Amphitheater in San Juan 787-938-3600 | ||
| Feb 10-12 Carnaval Vegalteno Festival with different music styles, arts, crafts, food kiosks and more. town plaza in Vega Alta 787-883-5900 | ||
| Feb 11 @ 8pm EST/PST On TV: Inside the Bacardi Factory Ultimate Factories travels to San Juan, Puerto Rico to learn the secrets of making one of the world's most awarded and popular premium rums: Bacardi. on the National Geographic Channel Visit web site for more info | ||
| Feb 11 @ 7pm-2am Caparra Culinary Fest Wine and food festival. Caparra Country Club Visit web site for more info | ||
| Feb 10-12 Youth Festival Festival commemorating the achievements of the town's young people, with music, food kiosks, and more. Felisa Rincon Plaza in Ceiba 787-885-2180 | ||
| Feb 11-12 Handicrafts Fair Two days filled with handicrafts, workshops, courses, shows and more. Pedro Rosselló Convention Center in San Juan 787-642-3714 | ||
| Feb 12 Valentine's Day Festival A festival with music, food kiosks, and more. town plaza in Aguadilla 787-891-1005 | ||
| Feb 15-19 10th Puerto Rico Freefall Festival 2012 Annual skydiving festival. Arecibo 787-852-5757 Visit web site for more info | ||
| Feb 15-21 Ponce Carnival Annual festival preceeding Ash Wednesday. Includes bands playing different music styles every night, arts, crafts, food, music and more. town plaza in Ponce 787-284-4141 | ||
| Feb 17-19 Cristobal Sanchez Carnival Celebrating well-known author and teacher, this event features music, dancing, food and more. town plaza in Arroyo 787-839-5441 | ||
| Feb 18-19 Golf Channel AM Tour The Golf Channel Am Tour's Puerto Rico Championship will be played on all 36 holes at the Trump International Golf Club, using both the Championship and the International courses, which were both designed by Tom Kite. Trump International Golf Club in Rio Grande Visit web site for more info | ||
| Feb 25-26 Caribbean Bridal Expo Over 300 exhibitors with everything couples will need for their wedding, honeymoon, and new homes. Pedro Rosselló Convention Center in San Juan 888-882-6321 | ||
| Feb 25 - Mar 17 2012 Casals Festival Annual music festival. See website for program details. Performing Arts Center in Santurce Visit web site for more info | ||
| Feb 26 @ 11am to 4pm 8th Annual Kite Festival The great lawn in front of El Morro is a popular spot to fly kites year-round. El Morro Fort in Old San Juan Visit web site for more info | ||
| Feb 26 World's Best 10K Race In addition to the race, it includes a series of contests and activities throughout the weekend, including wheelchair competition, fitness festival, pasta party and more. Teodoro Moscoso Bridge 787-767-2000 & 787-763-2000 Visit web site for more info | ||
| Mar 2012 | ||
|---|---|---|
| thru Mar 17 2012 Casals Festival Annual music festival. See website for program details. Performing Arts Center in Santurce Visit web site for more info | ||
| thru Mar 31 @ 8am-6pm Tall Ship HMS Bounty Tours Tours of the ship offered 7 days/week. near pier 3 in Old San Juan Visit web site for more info | ||
| Mar 1-31 Whale Watching Whales may be visible throughout the month from the coast around Rincon. The Rincon Lighthouse provides a great, elevated location to watch for whales. beaches in Rincon | ||
| Mar 3-4 Puerto Rico Women's Festival First-time event dedicated to the tastes, pleasures, and interests of women. Pedro Rosselló Convention Center in San Juan 787-390-9007 | ||
| Mar 8-12 Puerto Rico Open This Tom Kite-designed championship course has become a regular stop on the annual PGA Tour. Trump International Golf Club in Rio Grande | ||
| Mar 10 @ 6pm-midnight Sangría Fest San Juan 54 exhibitors offering everything from sangria to wine to food. Pedro Rosselló Convention Center in San Juan Visit web site for more info | ||
| CANCELED - Originally scheduled for Mar 16-18. Might be rescheduled for May 2012. Puerto Rico Heineken International Regatta Annual regatta Palmas del Mar in Humacao 787-785-2026 Visit web site for more info | ||
| Mar 17-18 Taste of the Caribbean Rum Festival Annual rum festival and competition. Paseo de La Princesa in Old San Juan 787-447-7043 | ||
| Mar 18 @ 6:50am Ironman 70.3 San Juan Ironman 70.3 races consist of a 1.2-mile swim, a 56-mile bike and a 13.1-mile run, which adds up to 70.3 miles of total racing. See website for course details, registration info, etc. Caribe Hilton Visit web site for more info | ||
| Mar 22-25 Sweet Orange Festival Annual orange festival, featuring local dishes and drinks made with sweet oranges. town plaza in Las Marias 787-827-2485 | ||
| Mar 23-25 Agropolis Agricultural festival, featuring fruit, veggies, plants, and food. Parque Ecologico in Dorado | ||
| Mar 24 WWE Road to WrestleMania 2012 WWE Raw/CC Road to WrestleMania 2012. Tickets at TicketPop Coliseo de Puerto Rico Jose Miguel Agrelot | ||
| Mar 25 National Salsa Day Great way to enjoy salsa music and dance. Hiram Bithorn Stadium 787-622-9700 | ||
| Mar 29 - Apr 1 San Juan Orchid Festival Annual local orchid festival, featuring displays and sales. Pedrín Zorrilla Coliseum (next to Roberto Clemente Coliseum) 787-758-9981 | ||
| Mar 29 - Apr 1 Puerto Rico Heineken Jazz Fest Annual jazz festival Tito Puente Amphitheater in San Juan Visit web site for more info | ||
| Apr 2012 | ||
|---|---|---|
| thru Apr 1 San Juan Orchid Festival Annual local orchid festival, featuring displays and sales. Pedrín Zorrilla Coliseum (next to Roberto Clemente Coliseum) 787-758-9981 | ||
| thru Apr 1 Puerto Rico Heineken Jazz Fest Annual jazz festival Tito Puente Amphitheater in San Juan Visit web site for more info | ||
| Apr 2-4 Junior Island Golf Championship Junior Golf Championships Plantation Club in Dorado Visit web site for more info | ||
| Apr 10-15 Rincon International Film Festival Annual film festival. outdoor venues throughout Rincon Visit web site for more info | ||
| Apr 21 El Yunque Clean-up Annual forest volunteer clean-up activity. El Yunque National Forest | ||
| Apr 21-22 @ 11am to 6pm Saborea Puerto Rico A culinary extravaganza: Cooking demonstrations, restaurant samples. Saborea Village Saturday & Sunday from 11am to 6pm. Escambron Beach 787-758-8001 | ||
| Apr 21-29 Free Admission to El Morro & Fort San Cristobal Free admission to forts for National Park Week Old San Juan | ||
| May 2012 | ||
|---|---|---|
| May 4-13 FERNIART 2012 - San Juan International Artisan's Festival Annual artisans festival, featuring artisans, seminars, sales, and workshops by Master Craftsmen. throughout Old San Juan Visit web site for more info | ||
| May 26-27 Puerto Rico Comic Con 2012 A two day show with exhibitors and retailers of what we geeks love: Comics, Toys, Anime, Manga, Video games, Strategic and Card games, Movies, etc. This is the biggest comic convention in Puerto Rico, hands down! Tickets at TicketPop Pedro Rosselló Convention Center in San Juan Visit web site for more info | ||
| Jun 2012 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Jun 1 @ 7;30am Ricky Martin Foundation Golf Tournament Annual golf tournament. Trump International Golf Club in Rio Grande Visit web site for more info | ||
| Jun 1-3 Sugarcane Festival Festival is dedicated to sugarcane planting and products. There will be Music, artisans, kiosks. Hatillo | ||
| Jun 7-10 PRGA Championships PRGA Championships Trump International Golf Club in Rio Grande Visit web site for more info | ||
| Jun 9 Free Admission to El Morro & Fort San Cristobal Free admission to forts for Get Outdoors Day Old San Juan | ||
| Jun 15-17 Crab Festival Annual crab festival, with food kiosks, games, artisans, exhibitions at the malecon in Guanica | ||
| Jun 17 Paso Fino Competition Annual Paso Fino competition. Club Equestre Barrio Santa Maria in Vieques | ||
| Jun 23 @ midnight between June 23 & 24 St. John the Baptist Festival Fall backwards into the ocean 3 times at midnight for good luck! Any beach will do, but expect crowds at San Juan area beaches. beaches around the island | ||
| Jun 30 - Jul 1 First Children's Salsa Congress Annual Salsa event for kids. Condado Plaza & Casino | ||
| 2012 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Jul 21-28 Puerto Rico Salsa Conference Annual salsa competition and workshops. location TBD Visit web site for more info | ||
| Sep 29 Free Admission to El Morro & Fort San Cristobal Free admission to forts for National Public Lands Day Old San Juan | ||
| Nov 10-12 Free Admission to El Morro & Fort San Cristobal Free admission to forts for Veterans Day weekend Old San Juan | ||
We use multiple sources for our event calendar, including local newspapers, the Que Pasa magazine, and info provided directly to us by the Puerto Rico Tourism Company.
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