most important festivals in Latin America | Study Spanish Latin America (2023)

most important festivals in Latin America | Study Spanish Latin America (1)

Tuesday March 03, 2020 - Posted by the SSLA team

Latin America offers the most colorful, luxurious, unique and artistic festivals in the world. Take a look below at our top picks for festivals in Peru, Colombia, Bolivia, Argentina, Chile, Mexico, and Panama—all great destinations for aSpanish immersionCourse.

Spanish immersion programs allow you to get a better idea of ​​the cultural context and learn tips, tricks, and Spanish conversation skills that will help you navigate and get ahead. There are hundreds of Spanish courses to choose from in Latin America. check out someSpanish courses and Spanish immersion programs. Learn Spanish while partying with the locals, check out this overviewThe most important festivals in Latin America.

The most important festivals in Latin America

Peru Festival: Sunday

Hethe sunbeamThe ceremony begins with the entry of four armies from each part of the Inca Empire. Dancing in colorful costumes, hundreds of Inca soldiers enter the gardens of the Qorikancha Temple. Minutes later, the Inca Emperor announces the start of the Inti Raymi.

The Inca is presented in the main square of Cusco, the Plaza de ArmasCoca leavesCeremony of gratitude to their God: The Sun. Later the ceremony will take place inSacsayhuamanStrength. All the dancers come together in an amazing performance that highlights the typical dances of the Inca Empire.

Inti Raymi is probably the most famous festival in Peru.the sunbeamo The Festival of the Sun was the most important and spectacular festival of the Inca era. In Andean mythology, the Incas were considered descendants of the sun. Therefore, the people had to offer him an extravagant festival every year, thanking the sun for bountiful harvests and praying for bountiful harvests for the coming season. Also, during the winter solstice, when the sun was moving away from the earth, people performed rituals to ask the sun not to leave the earth.

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Inti Raymi is celebrated on June 24 of each year.Junea very nice time of yearLearn Spanish in Cusco. a few weeks beforethe sunbeam, the catholic festivalBody of Christoccur; a few weeks later it's timeindependence Dayin Peru. And finally, on July 15, the town of Paucartambo, near Cusco, celebrates La Virgen del Carmen.

(Video) Top 10 Festival Vacations in Latin America

Colombian festivities: Carnival of Barranquilla

The Barranquilla Carnival was first considered a slave party and, over the years, has become an important festival in the region. The carnival reportedly grew out of a combination of pagan rituals, Catholic principles, and ethnic diversity. Barranquilla is a place of meeting and coexistence of European, African and indigenous peoples and cultures. In 2002, the Carnival of Barranquilla was declared a National Heritage of Colombia. And in 2003, the Carnival of Barranquilla was declared one of theMasterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity.

The Barranquilla Carnival is the second largest carnival celebration in the world after the Rio de Janeiro Carnival. It is also the largest Colombian street festival in Colombia. The city of Barranquilla is located on the Colombian Caribbean coast. The citizens of Barranquilla have a special four-day holiday to celebrate their Mardi Gras.

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Carnival in Colombia offers a dance and music show that arises from the fusion of numerous local traditions. Groups of masked dancers, actors, singers and musicians enchant and amuse the crowd with theatrical and musical performances based on historical and contemporary events.

Great Fantasy Parade, photo by El Heraldo

Festivals Bolivia: Alasitas Festival

To make sure their wishes are fulfilled, Bolivians buy a small statue of Ekeko, which means dwarf in Aymara, to place in their homes throughout the year. Bolivians then have a shaman bless the small gifts and then place them on Ekeko's poncho while praying for prosperity and good fortune.

In addition to giving Ekeko small gifts, Bolivians light a cigar in his mouth and occasionally throw some alcohol on the ground in front of him. In exchange for these gifts, Ekeko watches over his family, avoiding misfortunes and reciprocating the generosity that he receives from him before the end of the year.

(Video) Clase de español - Top 10 Latin American traditions for New Year celebrations!

Every year, on January 24 at noon, people from all over Bolivia come to theLittle wings partyin La Paz to collect miniature bills, animals, tools, houses, cars, electronics, clothes, food, plane tickets, suitcases, love, marriage certificates and even university degrees, all for the bargain price of a few Bolivians.

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Just before Mardi Gras, the Alasitas Fair is a month-long festival where locals buy miniature items to give away.I agree, the Aymara god of abundance, hoping that it will bring prosperity and joy to their lives.

Argentine Festivals: Tango Buenos Aires Festival

If youlearn spanish in argentina, don't miss the annual Tango Festival in Buenos Aires, the largest tango festival in the world. It attracts almost half a million tourists every August. Dancers and fans of tango music gather for a two-week festival of free concerts, classes, milongas, and other events.

Tango dancers from around the world compete for a place in the final at Luna Park Stadium. The contest has two categories: traditionalTango-Salon(The dancers improvise with the music that is playing) andLandscape(choreographed scenic tango).

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The event also features a product fair, dozens of activities for dancers and non-dancers, including more than 50 special dance and music productions, performances by internationally renowned artists, shows by major dance companies, children's events, and special events such as conferences, book presentations. and presentations.

Chile Feste: Tapati Fest

The Tapati Festival is the central cultural and sporting event that is held every year in the first half of February on Easter Island. The celebration pays tribute to the ancestral traditions of the Rapanui people and is celebrated to revive, share and preserve the cultural identity of the local population. One of the main reasons for the festival is the appointment of the Queen of Tapati. Two title candidates are introduced and supported by their family, friends, and visitors. Each group forms an alliance that takes on the other in a series of competitions and events.

(Video) ¡Viva! Spanish & Latin American Festival 2021 Trailer

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Visitors can also enjoy storytelling, singing and dancing, parades, body painting with traditional motifs, Polynesian canoeing, "Haka Honu" or simply sliding the body on the waves, sport or underwater fishing, crafts (traditional costumes, crowns and necklaces) , stone and wood carvings, agricultural and gastronomic competitions.

The Tau'a Rapa Nui or Rapa Nui Triathlon consists of three traditional exercises. The 3 km course begins with "Vaka Ama", in which the participants cross the crater lagoon in small rafts made of totora reeds. Upon reaching the shore, the "Aka Come" begins, in which the participants have two bunches of bananas of about 20 kg hanging from their necks and they have to walk around the lake. Finally, they have to swim across the lake with the help of a raft made of reed fibers.

The Haka Pei is possibly the riskiest competition. The public meets at the foot of the Maunga Pu'I hill, which is 200 meters high and has a 45º slope. Participants slide down the slope on a sled built from two connected banana trunks. Some of the competitors reach speeds of 80 km/h. The winner is the one who travels the longest distance from the starting point.

Festival in Mexico: Guelaguetza-Fest in Oaxaca

The Guelaguetza Festival is also known as thishill monday, or "Monday on the Hill," is a celebration of the abundance of communities in the state of Oaxaca.GuelaguetzaIt is celebrated on the last 2 Mondays of July. The only exception: if July 18, the anniversary of the death of Mexico's only indigenous president, Benito Juárez, falls on a Monday, the Guelaguetza schedule will be delayed by a week. This is not a unique opportunity to learn about Mexican culture for college students.Learn Spanish in Oaxacabut for anyone traveling in Mexico.

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All come together to celebrate the diversity of their many traditions. Oaxaca has 16 distinct ethnolinguistic groups. Members of these groups gather in their colorful traditional attire and perform dances specific to their region. At the end of the dance, they throw products from the region that represent the spectators.

The Guelaguetza festival is celebrated today by a combination of pre-Hispanic celebrations of the goddess of corn,Mitteotl, and the Catholic feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel on July 16. Every year a young woman from one of the communities is chosen to embodyMitteotl, the goddess of corn. This is not a beauty pageant, but a competition to see which woman is most knowledgeable about the traditions of her community.

Many other events take place in Oaxaca during the two weeks of the Guelaguetza Festival, including concerts, craft shows, local food fairs, conferences, and aMezcalFair where you can taste different varieties of this alcoholic beverage.

Read about another important festival in Mexico and Oaxaca: theday of death.

(Video) Spanish: Cultural Holidays and Traditions
Panama Festivals: Panama Jazz Festival

the annualjazz-festival-in-panama, which takes place in January, is one of the largest jazz festivals in the world. The event brings together musical talents from around the world with more than 400 artists. Notable artists included The Wayne Shorter Quartet, Herbie Hancock, Chucho Valdés Quartet, John Patitucci, Joe Lovano, Rubén Blades, Randy Weston, Kenny Barron, Esperanza Spalding, Mike Stern, Lizz Wright, Jack DeJohnette, Stanley Jordan, Billy Cobham, Terry Lyne Carrington, Ran Blake, Phil Ranelin and Ellis Marsalis, among others.

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This festival also seeks to increase awareness and responsiveness to social issues in Panama and Central and South America. The festival positively impacts the lives of hundreds of Panamanians (who otherwise would not have had the opportunity to develop and share their talents). Students and professionals of all ages, from multiple countries and walks of life come together to share their talents and dreams and learn from each other.

We hope you have enjoyed reading about the most important festivals in Latin America.

Keep reading:

  • Funny:TEST your knowledge of Latin American culture?
  • Interesting:Why learn Spanish? Reasons galore!
  • Further:Why learn Spanish in Latin America!

hang tags:Argentina,Bolivia,Chile,Colombia,Fiestas,Latin America,Mexico,Panama,Peru

(Video) Latin American Festival coming to Old Town this weekend

FAQs

What is the most important holiday in Hispanic culture? ›

The Hispanic Semana Santa (Holy Week) is the equivalent of the American holiday known as Easter, and it is celebrated in Spain as well as Mexico and all of Latin America. For the Spanish, Semana Santa is the holiest week of the year.

What are some celebrations in the Spanish speaking world? ›

Contents hide
  • La Tomatina.
  • Las Fallas.
  • Carnival.
  • La Feria de Abril.
  • San Fermín.
  • Día de los Reyes Magos.
  • Festa Major de Gràcia.
  • Els Enfarinats.
Mar 5, 2021

What are 3 important cultures in Spanish history? ›

Spanish culture was influenced by the Celtics, the Phoenicians of the eastern Mediterranean, the Carthaginians and the Germanic tribe known as the Visigoths. But, it was the Romans, and later the Muslims from North Africa, who played the greatest role in shaping Spain's cultural future.

What are the five traditional festivals? ›

  • Traditional Festivals. ...
  • Homowo – May. ...
  • Aboakyir – May. ...
  • Bakatue – July. ...
  • Asafotufiam – August. ...
  • Oguaa Fetu Afahye – September. ...
  • Hogbetsotso – September. ...
  • Akwasidae – Once every six weeks.

What 3 main cultures make up Latin America? ›

Latin America is a huge melting pot of different cultures. Indigenous, African and European people make up the bulk of this culture. As a result of intermixing, religions such as Santeria in Cuba, and Candomble in Brazil have been created.

What is Latin America most known for? ›

Latin America Facts

It's full of diversity, culture, and traditions and is known for the hospitality and happiness of its people. Latinos are also famous for their dancing, their varied and tasteful dishes, and their beautiful tropical landscapes.

What are the three main cultural influences in Latin America? ›

Latin American culture is the result of a combination of European, indigenous, and African influences. Spanish is the main language in most of the region.

What are the most popular Spanish traditions? ›

Here are seven local celebrations for your list.
  1. SEMANA SANTA. A religious festival, Semana Santa (Holy Week) is a big deal in Spain. ...
  2. Carnival. ...
  3. LA TOMATINA. ...
  4. THE FALLAS OF VALENCIA. ...
  5. ESTA MAJOR DE GRACIA. ...
  6. SAINT FERMIN AND RUNNING OF THE BULLS. ...
  7. DIA DE LOS REYES MAGOS.
Nov 21, 2018

What is a famous Spanish tradition? ›

Flamenco in Spain

Flamenco is perhaps the most famous Spanish tradition but also one that is often misunderstood. Flamenco is not a dance but does sometimes have dancing in it, rather it's a musical style with far more emphasis on the guitar, vocals, and rhythm than on the dancing.

What is the 3 Hispanic holiday? ›

For Hispanics, Three Kings' Day is the culmination of the holiday season, the day when additional gifts are exchanged and big family celebrations take place. Children write letters in advance to the Three Kings, telling them how good they were during the year and asking for gifts.

What is one special tradition celebrated in Latin America? ›

Las Posadas

For nine nights starting December 16, people dressed as Mary and Joseph (often with Mary on a donkey), lead throngs of Christians through towns and cities in Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras and parts of the southwestern U.S., reenacting the couple's pilgrimage before Jesus's birth in a manger in Bethlehem.

What is the most important holiday in Spain and Latin America? ›

Holy Week in Spain and Latin America is usually the most vibrant and widely observed celebration of the year.

What are 3 main Mexican cultures? ›

Mexicans make several cultural subdivisions within the nation. The most common one identifies northern, central, and south or south-eastern Mexico.

Why is Spanish important for culture? ›

The Spanish language also has a large cultural significance. Hispanic culture is rich in tradition, and it currently has a big influence on the global pop-culture, with Spanish-language music, art, and TV-shows becoming more and more popular. No translation is able to convey all the colorful cultural nuances.

What are the three major festivals? ›

Diwali, Eid and Christmas are the major festivals celebrated in India.

What are the three main festivals? ›

The Three Pilgrimage Festivals, in Hebrew Shalosh Regalim (שלוש רגלים), are three major festivals in Judaism—Pesach (Passover), Shavuot (Weeks or Pentecost), and Sukkot (Tabernacles, Tents or Booths)—when all ancient Israelites who were able would make a pilgrimage to the Temple in Jerusalem, as commanded by the Torah.

What is popular culture in Latin America? ›

Popular culture is a term used to refer to a very broad and diverse array of forms and practices such as salsa, samba, religious ritual and magic, carnivals, telenovelas (television soaps), masks, pottery, weaving, alternative theatre, radio, video and oral narrative as well as the 'wholeway of life', the language, ...

What was the most powerful culture in Latin America? ›

The Incan Empire is the most well known indigenous culture of South America. The Inca Empire was established in 1438 in the Andean city of Cuzco, Peru. Over a period of 100 years, the empire expanded to include parts of present-day Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Chile, Argentina, and Colombia.

What is Latin American culture called? ›

This cultural heritage is called Latino in American English.

What are 3 interesting facts about Latin America? ›

Here's some little-known facts:
  • Over 90 uncontacted tribes lives in Latin America. ...
  • Eighty percent of people in Latin America reside in cities, making it the most urbanized region in the world.
  • Mexico City sinks ten inches every year! ...
  • In the small town of Yoro, Honduras, it rains fish twice a year.
Feb 16, 2017

What are 5 interesting facts about Latin America? ›

Fun Facts About Latin America You Probably Didn't Know
  • They Speak More than 370 Languages Throughout Latin America. ...
  • South America Has the Shortest Coastline and the World's Largest Salt Flats. ...
  • Latin America is Very Urbanized. ...
  • It Rains Fishes in Yoro. ...
  • Combined, There are 17 Different Ways to Say 'Popcorn'
Apr 7, 2022

What is the Hispanic culture known for? ›

Hispanics come from a collectivistic culture where group activities are dominant, responsibility is shared, and accountability is collective. Because of the emphasis on collectivity, harmony and cooperation in the group tend to be emphasized more than individual function and responsibility (Gudykunst, 1998).

What is the most important challenge facing Latin America today? ›

Most important problems faced by Latin America according to opinion leaders and journalists in 2021
CharacteristicShare of respondents
Inequality reduction51%
Fight against corruption47%
Fight against insecurity/crime/drug trafficking43%
Better access to education35%
6 more rows
Feb 9, 2022

What are the 3 main religions in Latin America? ›

According to Pew Research Center 83.43% of the South American population is Christian, although less than half of them are devout.
  • Catholicism.
  • Protestantism.
  • Spiritism.
  • Eastern Orthodoxy.
  • Oriental Orthodoxy.
  • Other Christians.

What are the religious traditions in Latin America? ›

The majority of Latin Americans are Christians (90%), mostly Roman Catholics. Membership in Protestant denominations is increasing, particularly in Brazil, Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua, El Salvador and Puerto Rico. In particular, Pentecostalism has experienced massive growth.

What is the most important carnival in Spain? ›

Cadiz Carnival 16th to 26th February 2023

This is one of Spain's biggest and best carnivals. Groups of troubadours in costumes flood the streets, playing musical instruments and singing.

What is the most important festival in Puerto Rico? ›

The two most famous festivals are Fiesta de Reyes Juanadina, in the town of Juana Díaz, and Fiesta de Reyes Isabelinos, in Isabela.

What is the most important festival in our country? ›

A majority of our population are Muslims and this is why Eid is the most celebrated and most important festival in our country. We have two Eids - 'Eid Al-Fitr' and 'Eid Al-Adha', which are religious festivals and Muslims celebrate these two days with great fervour and religious spirit.

What are the three important national festivals? ›

India, being a culturally diverse society, celebrates many holidays and festivals, but there are only three national festivals: Republic Day (26 January), Independence Day (15 August), and Gandhi Jayanti (2 October).

What are the 3 most important holidays celebrated in Puerto Rico? ›

6 Festivals and Traditions to Celebrate in Puerto Rico
  • Fiesta de Los Reyes Magos – Jan. ...
  • Fiestas de la Calle San Sebasti. ...
  • Festival de la Novilla – Third Sunday in January. ...
  • Carnaval Ponceño – Last week of February. ...
  • Festival de la Piña Paradisíaca – June 7th to 9th. ...
  • Noche de San Juan – June 23.
Mar 26, 2021

What is the longest and most important festival? ›

The Chinese New Year is said to be the most important and longest holiday celebrated in China. The celebration begins on the first day of the lunar calendar, so it is also called Lunar New Year, and it is considered the beginning of spring, so it is also called Spring Festival.

What are 2 important holidays in Puerto Rico? ›

Here are the most exciting Puerto Rican festivals!
  • Three Kings Day. While Christmas is celebrated in Puerto Rico, the festivity the locals look forward to the most is Three Kings Day, or El Día de los Tres Reyes Magos. ...
  • San Sebastián Street Festival. ...
  • Ponce Carnival. ...
  • Casals Festival. ...
  • Saborea Puerto Rico. ...
  • Noche de San Juan.

What are the importance festivals? ›

They bring people together and create a sense of belonging in the community. On these days people from all walks of life come together to celebrate life. Children are particularly the ones who enjoy festivals more than adults. Festivals to them mean decorations, sweets, gifts, games and lots of other celebrations.

How many main festivals are there? ›

There is no exact list of Indian festivals as over 50 festivals are celebrated in the country by the people of different cultures and religion. The Indian festivals form an integral part of the rich heritage of the country.

What are the 2 types of festival? ›

Types of festivals
  • Religious festivals.
  • Arts festivals.
  • Seasonal and harvest festivals.

Videos

1. Most important Afro Festival from Latin America: Festival de Música del Pacífico Petronio Álvarez
(ELE para todos - Spanish for All)
2. Beyond Hispanic: Languages and Cultures in Latin America
(Johns Hopkins Medicine)
3. Festivals in Latin America
(Pablo Levinas)
4. Festivals - Latin America
(Sharon Wilson)
5. Black and Brown Composers in Baroque Latin America: An Introduction to the Repertoire
(Early Music America)
6. CUBA: HAVANA: FESTIVAL OF NEW LATIN AMERICAN FILMS
(AP Archive)

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