Puerto Rico holiday celebrations continue through late January
San Juan, Puerto Rico (December 18, 2006) – The holiday season in Puerto Rico officially began in early December with the lighting of the Christmas tree at Paseo La Princesa in Old San Juan and will end with the island’s own version of Mardi Gras, the San Sebastián Festival, in late January. Yes, the holiday festivities in Puerto Rico continue for two months as locals celebrate the rich culture, traditions and history of the island with festivals and parades well into the New Year.
Christmas Day is celebrated in Puerto Rico, but what makes the holiday season so special on the island are the celebrations that take place beginning New Year’s Eve. On the evening of December 31, the Puerto Rico Tourism Company (PRTC) is hosting the “Celebremos con Puerto Rico 2007” extravaganza at Puerto Rico’s new convention centre. This celebration will include musical performances by local celebrities, authentic food, island cocktails and a colourful firework display, as the island rings in the New Year live on Univision.
These vivid festivities against the backdrop of the new convention centre’s ultra-modern and impressive architectural design will create an unforgettable evening. Visitors to San Juan can join locals as PRTC sponsor’s the largest outdoor festivity of the year with musical performances by Julio César Sanabria, Ricardo Villanueva, LimiT21, Héctor “The Father” with his Rompe Discotecas and NG2. Festivities begin at 8pm and tickets are not required to attend.
Three Kings Day on January 6 commemorates the biblical story of the three kings who followed the star of Bethlehem to bring gifts to the Christ child. Also known as The Epiphany, and commonly known in Puerto Rico as El Día de los Reyes, this is a treasured holiday tradition on the island. Island-wide festivals take place with lively music, parades, puppet shows, troubadours, dancing and parties. Traditional holiday food is served including delicious dishes such as pasteles, lechón asado, arroz con dulce and tembleque.
The largest celebration is in Juana Diaz at Porta Caribe, and smaller celebrations occur in the towns of Ponce, Coamo, Santa Isabel, Guayanilla, Yauco, Guánica, Cidra, Barranquitas and Orocovis. In San Juan, a full day of family activities is held at Parque Luis Muñoz Rivera and the Escambrón Beach. Exhibits for children, refreshments, beverages and free souvenirs will be offered to participants.
Later in the month, from January 22 through 25, the annual San Sebastián Festival is undeniably the blowout of the year. During the festival, the island’s most fun-loving people join together in Old San Juan’s seven-square-block historic district to create the Caribbean’s best nightlife and a world-class party. Originating in 1970, the weekend-long celebration was instituted by then San Juan Mayor Felisa Rincón. The beginnings were humble, but with the passing of the years the festival grew and today it is the biggest party of the year, attracting more than 250,000 people to the Old City to participate in the festivities.
Fun unfolds in a predictable pattern as the party kicks off with a parade honouring Puerto Rico’s cultural figures and quickly becomes a celebration. During the day, families walk around the area and take a look at the latest offering from local artists and artisans who are selling their goods in the city. The locals parade in processions of traditional Puerto Rican masks (cabezudos), which are vibrantly coloured in red, yellow and blue and create the illusion of comical oversized heads. In the evening, the artists put their work away and thousands gather on San Sebastián Street in a celebratory manner.
Live music gears up to provide a party in which the young and old dance to salsa and classic Puerto Rican tunes. Many who come to celebrate bring their own instruments, and on every street corner a group of musicians starts off their own music, and strangers dance together hand in hand. Also as part of the festivities, numerous artisans gather at the Cuartel de Ballajá to showcase traditional handmade arts and crafts. This series of cultural activities, art exhibits, dance shows and music festivals are a preview to what the San Juan Cultural District will soon offer.
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