It's Christmastime on the island, truly the most wonderful time of the year ... but Santa and the Three Kings aren't the only reasons to visit Puerto Rico in December. This year, the holiday season kicks off with all kinds of entertainment.
Highlights:
- Of course, Christmas takes the cake, a truly marathon festival on the island that gets going around December 15 and lasts until January 6 (and sometimes beyond).
- The Winter Sofo Culinary Fest brings together over 30 terrific restaurants from December 1-4.
- Winter Wonderland brings snow and family fun to the Puerto Rico Convention Center.
- Music superstars rock the capital throughout the month.
Events Calendar:
- December 1-4: The Winter Sofo Culinary Fest comes to Old San Juan's Fortaleza Street, with some of San Juan's best eateries participating in a weekend-long open-air dining festival.
- December 2-5: In place of the now-defunct Feria Bacardi, San Juan is throwing a Feria Para Ti in Cataño Bay. Similar to what Bacardi used to host, this is an artisans' fair with food and music, and this year it honors three Puerto Rican cultural icons: Ricardo Alegría, who created the Puerto Rican Cultural Institute, who passed away this year; Carlos Villa Hermosa, a noted educator; and master artist Gustavo Ortiz.
- December 2-4: It's a good weekend for Patron Saint Festivals, or Fiestas Patronales. The towns of Humacao, Lares and Guayanilla honor La Virgen de la Inmaculada Concepción (the Virgin of the Immaculate Conception).
- December 2-4: Reggaetón maestros Wisin y Yandel bring their signature sound to the Coliseo in San Juan.
- December 3-4: Gamers unite at the Gaming Xplosion Fest at the Puerto Rico Convention Center in San Juan.
- December 3: The Economic Development Bank throws an "Urban Bazaar" in the Ventana del Mar Park in Condado, bringing local agricultural businesses selling poinsettias, Christmas trees and traditional holiday foods together with entertainers including mimes, magicians, musicians, caricature artists, and even yoga classes.
- December 8: Thousands come to Ponce's lovely cathedral at 5 am to sing Las Mañanitas, the traditional Mexican Christmas song. The religious procession is led by mariachis singing in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the city's patron saint. After a morning mass, a "peoples" breakfast is held, while the Mariachi play typical mexican music. Live music, rides, food and parades continue through the weekend at the Plaza Las Delicias.
- December 10: Britney Spears comes to the Coliseo in San Juan on her "Femme Fatale" tour.
- December 11: Shopaholics, head to the Puerto Rican Convention Center for Fashionistas, a one-day gathering of local retailers selling their wares at outlet prices.
- December 15-January 6: Christmas in Puerto Rico isn't just about one day; rather, it's three weeks of family activities, religious ceremonies, parades, parties, kings and, of course, santa. Here's the full agenda.
- December 16-17: Yanni plays two memorable nights at the historic El Morro Fortress.
- December 16-30: It's going to be snowing in Puerto Rico this year; at least, it will in the Puerto Rico Convention Center, where Winter Wonderland comes to town. There's also going to be a snowman's workshop, tubing mountain, snowball fighting tent, and plenty more Christmas and "winter" fun for the family. Tickets available at Ticket Pop.
- December 17: Coors Light DayGlow Blu is a kinetic fusion of music, dance, and paint. The global party bus stops in San Juan for one night.
- December 25: The El San Juan Hotel is throwing a Christmas Day salsa party, with live performances and live music starting at 8:30 p.m.
- December 28: If you like colorful folkloric celebrations, be sure to check out the Hatillo Masks Festival. Celebrated since the Spaniards founded Hatillo in 1823, the festival honors the story of King Herod ordering the death of all infant boys, attempting to kill Baby Jesus. Men donning vibrant masks and costumes represent the soldiers, and march or ride through the town in floats looking for the children.
- December 31: Don't plan on sleeping, because all of Puerto Rico will be partying on New Year's Eve.
