JANUARY
1st – New Year’s – Countrywide
1st – Dia de Reyes or Kings’ Day- Countrywide
Religious fiesta in the valley of the same name near La Paz. Folkloric dancing and music.
6th – Achocalla – Achocalla (La Paz)
Best ones are in small villages in Oruro, Cochabamba, Potosi and Sucre (Chuquisaca), Tarija (Tarija) and Reyes (Beni).
24th – Alasitas – City of La Paz
The Festival of Abundance, dedicated to the God “Ekeko”. Sale of miniature handicrafts.
FEBRUARY
2nd – Fiesta de la Virgen de la Candelaria – Countrywide
But specifically Aiquile (Cochabamba), Angostura (Tarija), Challapampa (Oruro), Copacabana (La Paz), Samaipata (Santa Cruz). Week before Lent (dates change)
Dates Change (can also be in March) – Carnaval – Countrywide
The most spectacular and biggest are in Oruro (the classic Andean show) and Santa Cruz (a tropical pageant and modified version of the one in Rio). The variety countrywide is great, and the small towns offer more intimate interaction and party atmosphere. Must see Oruro and Santa Cruz at least once.
MARCH
Dates Change – Fiesta de la Uva – Tarija
Dedicated to the grape and wines and spirits.
2nd Sunday – Phujllay – Tarabuco (Chuquisaca)
Commemorates the triumph over the Spanish troops in 1816 by local tribes. One of the most colorful and spectacular parties in Bolivia. Do not miss it.
APRIL
13th (Can also be in March) – Semana Santa – Countrywide
Holy Week celebrations throughout the country. One of the best is in Copacabana where hundreds of pilgrims arrive walking from La Paz on Good Friday. Also worth visiting in Oruro, Tarija, Yotala, Potosi and Santa Cruz.
15th & 16th – Efemerides de Tarija – Tarija (Tarija)
Celebration of the towns anniversary, the battle of La Tablada, and the gaucho roots during the “Rodeo Chapaco with horse races and dancing.
MAY
3rd – Fiesta de la Cruz – Countrywide
Celebrates the cross on which Christ was crucified. Best parties are on the Island of Suriqui (L. Titicaca), Tarija, Vallegrande (Santa Cruz), Copacabana (La Paz) and Cochabamba.
25th – Efemerides de Sucre – Sucre (Chuquisaca)
Celebrates Sucres’ cry for independence in 1809 from the Spanish.
End of May / Early June – Gran Poder – City of La Paz (La Paz)
A pagan-christian folkloric celebration in honor of el Senor del Gran Poder (Jesus Christ). Extremely colorful procession with groups competing for the honor of being best group.
JUNE
Dates Change – Santisima Trinidad – Trinidad (Beni)
The festival of the Holy Trinity with folkloric processions and a corrida de toros (bull fight).
13th – San Antonio – Capinota (Cochabamba), Sella (Tarija)
Mass, processions, folkloric dance contests. (dates change)
15th – Corpus Christi – Potosi (Potosi)
Procession with the statue of Jesus, mass, and large display or religious devotion.
24th – San Juan – Countrywide
A celebration for San Juan Batista. Large bon-fires are lit and people drink and jump across the flames. In the highlands they light fires to keep the evil spirits away on the coldest day of the year. Also in Yacuma (Beni), Corque (Oruro), and Potosi.
Dates Change – Equinox of Winter – Tihuanaco (La Paz)
The ancient celebration of the first rays of the sun during the winter solstice. A gathering of indigenous leaders from the Aymara population to celebrate their new year. Mass and pagan rituals to celebrate the power of the God “Inti, for fertility and good luck with crops for the year to come. Should not be missed.
JULY
16th – 16 de Julio – La Paz (La Paz)
Fair of culture and tourism and to celebrate the anniversary of the founding of La Paz.
25th – Apostol Santiago – Quime (La Paz), Yamparaez (Chuquisaca), Sipe-Sipe and Tarata (Cochabamba) and other smaller town and villages.
Week-long celebration with folkloric dances and religious processions.
22nd – Magdalena – (Magdalena) Beni
Local folkloric dances of the tropics, bull fights and games.
31st – Fiesta del Santo Patrono de Moxos – San Ignacio de Moxos (Beni)
Festival for the Patron Saint of Moxos, dances, processions. One of the most important festivals in the Beni region. Don’t miss it.
AUGUST
5th – Virgen de las Nieves – Italaque (Cochabamba)
A religious festival for the virgin of the snow. Mass, folkloric dancing and processions.
5th & 6th – Virgen de Copacabana – Copacabana (La Paz)
Celebration for the Virgin of Copacabana on the shores of Lake Titicaca. Dancing, processions, folkloric displays.
6th – Independence Day – Countrywide
Local folkloric dances of the tropics, bull fights and games.
10th – San Lorenzo – San Lorenzo (city of Santa Cruz), San Lorenzo (Tarija)
Celebration in the neighborhood named San Lorenzo in the city of Santa Cruz in the department of Santa Cruz as well as in the town of San Lorenzo in Tarija. Dancing, music, games and processions.
15th – Virgen de Chaguaya – Chaguaya (Tarija)
15th – Virgen de la Asuncion – Llallagua (Oruro)
Religious mass, processions, fireworks and folkloric dances. 21st San Joaquin – San Joaquin (Beni).
Patron fiesta for Saint Joaquin. Folkloric dances of the tropics, bull fights and games.
15th to 18th – Virgen de Urkupina – Quillacollo (Cochabamba)
One of the most important religious festivals in Cochabamba. It is a colorful & religious festival with a large mass, folkloric dancing, processions, typical food and the sale of miniature handicrafts.
SEPTEMBER
1st Sunday – Fiesta de San Roque – Tarija (Tarija)
(Although the fiesta day of San Roque is officially on the 16th of August). An 8-day long celebration for the patron saint of dogs, San Roque. Unique costumes, processions, music and dancing. The biggest party and typical of the Tarija region with its unique music style.
8th – Virgen de Guadalupe – Viacha (La Paz), Sucre (Chuquisaca) and Valle Grande (Santa Cruz)
A religious festival in honor of the Virgin of Guadalupe. Folkloric dances, bull fights, music, dancing and typical food and drink.
14th – Exaltacion de la Santa Cruz – Sorata (La Paz), Potosi, Oruro, Cochabamba
A religious festival for the holy cross. One of Cochabambas’ biggest festivals for the Senor de la Excaltacion and the celebration of Cochabambas’ departamental anniversary. Sorata’s most important festival. A pilgrim procession in honor of el Senor de Manquiri in Potosi. Folkloric dancing and music, masses, processions, typical food and dress.
21st – Equinoccio de la Primavera – Tihuanaco (La Paz)
A celebration of the first rays of the sun god “Inti” that will pass through the portal of the main entrance of the Kalasasaya Temple. The first day of Spring and a very important indigenous and local festival.
24th – Efemerides de Santa Cruz – Santa Cruz (Santa Cruz)
Civil processions and celebrations for Santa Cruz. 29th Fiesta de San Miguel – Uncia (Potosi).
Typical andean folkloric dances with typical groups of “Tinkus”, the ancient warriors of this region. Mass and processions.
OCTOBER
1st week – Virgen del Rosario – Viacha (La Paz), Quillacollo, Tarata & Morochata (Cochabamba), Tarija (Tarija), Warnes (Santa Cruz), Tarabuco (Chuquisaca), Huayllas (Oruro) & others. A celebration for the Virgin of the Rosary. Includes mass, processions, music, fireworks, and dancing.
2nd Sunday – Virgen de Guadalupe – Distrito Minero de Santa Fe (Oruro)
A procession of riders on horseback made up of Matacos, and Cunas (female Matacas).
24th – San Rafael – City of La Paz (La Paz)
Patron festival with typical andean folkloric groups, music and dancing.
NOVEMBER
1st & 2nd – Todos Santos – Countrywide
A religious celebration for All Saints Day in which the cemeteries and graves throughout the country are visited by parents and loved ones. The tombstones and graves are adorned with flowers and colorful garlands. The table is set with a place for the spirit of the deceased and the tradition of making bread babies, sweets, baked goods and various refreshing drinks is still maintained.
1st Sunday – Virgen del Socavon – Oruro (Oruro)
The is the first visit to Oruro for the participants for the Carnaval in February. Music and dancing and the first practice for the participants for next years’ Carnaval in Oruro.
18th – Efemerides Departamental – Beni Department
Cultural and artesan fair in Trinidad.
30th – San Andres – Santa Cruz (Santa Cruz), Taquiri (Cochabamba)
The festival of the city with processions, fireworks, masses, singing and folkloric dancing.
DECEMBER
3rd – San Francisco Xavier – San Francisco (Santa Cruz)
Patron festival of the city of San Francisco Xavier. Typical dances of the aboriginal inhabitants are quite a spectacle and represent the actual defenses that the Jesuit Missionaries acted out against the Portuguese.
3rd – San Javier – San Javier (Beni)
Typical folkloric dances, music, food and drink. The famous tropical bull fights.
8th – Comarapa – Portachuelo y Cotoca (Santa Cruz)
Day of the Purisima Concepcion with typical dances, food and drinks.
8th – Fiesta de la Purisima Concepcion – Cochabamba (Cochabamba)
Day of the Purisima Concepcion with typical dances, food and drinks.
24th – Navidad – Countrywide
The holiest of all festivals, Christmas. Each department has its own variation but the more exotic ones are in: Villa Serrano & Sucre (Chuquisaca), Vallegrande (Santa Cruz), San Ignacio de Moxos (Beni) & Tarija where some of the celebrations are carried on until the end of January.
