Parties, festivals and events
Upcoming events
Dates are the traditional ones each year and may change; confirm with the organisers.
- January 17–27
San Sebastián festival and El Güegüense
DiriambaDiriamba 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
GranadaA 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
San Juan del SurThe 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.
- April to October
Surf season and parties in Popoyo
Popoyo (surf beach)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
BluefieldsThe 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
San Juan del SurCelebrations 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
JinotepeProcessions, 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 (Ometepe island)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.
- August 1 and 10
Santo Domingo festival in Managua
ManaguaThe 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
GranadaThe 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
LeónLeón'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
JuigalpaHorse parade, bull-riding and the traditional “bajada de los toros” in the cattle capital of Chontales.
- From September 20 to early December
San Jerónimo festival in Masaya
MasayaNicaragua'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
Moyogalpa (Ometepe island)The Zompopo dance and processions in Altagracia, on the Maderas volcano side of the island. Buses and taxis run from Moyogalpa.
- December 7 (with novenas from November 28)
La Gritería and La Purísima
LeónThe 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
San Juan del SurThe famous pool crawl across several hostels in town from noon onwards. Wristband entry; sells out in high season.
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