Major Events & Festivals in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia
1. Fiesta de San Juan
Celebrated on June 24th, this festival honors John the Baptist with traditional music, dancing, and food. Unique: It involves a procession where participants carry images of saints through the streets.
- Traditional Music: Authentic Bolivian music plays an important role in this festival.
- Street Procession: Participants carry images of saints, adding a unique visual element to the celebration.
- Local Cuisine: Trying traditional Bolivian dishes is a must during this festive occasion.
2. Fiesta de la Virgen de Urubí
Celebrated on the first Sunday of October, it honors the Virgin Mary with a procession, music, and food. Unique: The image of the Virgin is carried in a grand float through the streets.
- Grand Float: The image of the Virgin is carried in a large, ornate float during the procession.
- Community Gathering: It brings together the local community and visitors for a day of celebration.
- Traditional Music and Dance: Local music and dance performances are a significant part of the festival.
3. Fiesta de la Candelaria
Celebrated from February 1st to February 2nd, it honors the Virgin of Candelaria with a procession and music. Unique: The festival involves the burning of effigies as a symbolic cleansing.
- Effigy Burning: The burning of effigies is a unique and symbolic part of this festival.
- Community Unity: It fosters a sense of community unity among the participants.
- Traditional Music and Dance: Local music and dance performances are an integral part of the celebration.
4. Fiesta de San Isidro Labrador
Celebrated on May 15th, it honors St. Isidore the Farmer with a procession, music, and food. Unique: It involves agricultural activities such as plowing ceremonies.
- Agricultural Activities: Plowing ceremonies and other agricultural activities are a significant part of the festival.
- Community Gathering: It brings together the local farming community and visitors for a day of celebration.
- Traditional Music and Dance: Local music and dance performances are an essential part of the festival.
5. Fiesta de Todos Santos
Celebrated on November 1st and 2nd, it honors all saints. Unique: It involves a procession where participants carry flowers to the cemetery for their deceased loved ones.
- Flowers at the Cemetery: Visiting the cemetery and decorating graves with flowers is a significant part of this festival.
- Community Gathering: It brings together the local community and visitors for a day of remembrance.
- Traditional Music and Dance: Local music and dance performances are an integral part of the festival.
6. Fiesta de San Miguel Arcángel
Celebrated on September 29th, it honors St. Michael the Archangel with a procession and music. Unique: It involves the blessing of homes and fields.
- Blessing of Homes: The blessing of homes and fields is unique to this festival.
- Community Gathering: It brings together the local community and visitors for a day of celebration.
- Traditional Music and Dance: Local music and dance performances are an essential part of the festival.
7. Fiesta de la Inmaculada Concepción
Celebrated on December 8th, it honors the Immaculate Conception of Mary with a procession and music. Unique: It involves the release of white doves as a symbol of peace.
- Release of Doves: The release of white doves is a unique and peaceful aspect of this festival.
- Community Gathering: It brings together the local community and visitors for a day of celebration.
- Traditional Music and Dance: Local music and dance performances are an essential part of the festival.
8. Feria Agropecuaria y Ganadera de Santa Cruz
Annual agricultural and livestock fair showcasing local products and traditions. Unique: It offers hands-on experiences like milk cow milking demonstrations.
- Local Products Showcase: It showcases a wide variety of locally produced goods.
- Hands-on Experiences: Offering unique, hands-on experiences such as milk cow milking demonstrations.
- Cultural Exchange: It provides an opportunity for cultural exchange between locals and visitors.
9. Festival Internacional de la Cultura Japonesa
Annual Japanese culture festival featuring music, dance, food, and exhibitions. Unique: It offers traditional Japanese martial arts demonstrations.
- Cultural Exchange: It provides an opportunity for cultural exchange between Japan and Bolivia.
- Traditional Performances: Offering traditional Japanese music, dance, and martial arts performances.
- Japanese Cuisine Tasting: Providing visitors with the opportunity to taste authentic Japanese cuisine.
10. Festival de la Calle Jamara
Street festival featuring music, food, and art. Unique: It offers a vibrant nighttime atmosphere with street lighting and installations.
- Nighttime Atmosphere: It provides an energetic and unique nighttime atmosphere.
- Local Art and Crafts: Showcasing local art, crafts, and designs.
- Food Sampling: Offering a variety of traditional Bolivian foods to sample.
11. Santa Cruz de la Sierra Jazz Festival
Annual jazz festival featuring local and international musicians. Unique: It offers a blend of traditional jazz with Bolivian rhythms.
- International Musicians: Attracting renowned international jazz artists.
- Jazz and Bolivian Rhythms: Offering a unique blend of traditional jazz with Bolivian rhythms.
- Live Performances: Providing visitors with live performances throughout the festival.
12. Festival Internacional de la Canción Infantil
International children's song festival featuring music, dance, and art. Unique: It offers workshops for children to learn about music and art.
- Children's Workshops: Offering interactive workshops for children to learn about music and art.
- International Participation: Attracting international participants to share their musical talents.
- Music Education: Promoting music education and appreciation among children.
13. Festival de la Tierra
Eco-cultural festival focusing on sustainability, art, music, and food. Unique: It offers workshops on permaculture and sustainable living.
- Sustainable Living Workshops: Offering interactive workshops on permaculture and sustainable living.
- Art, Music, and Food: Showcasing local art, music, and food during the festival.
- Cultural Exchange: Providing opportunities for cultural exchange and learning about sustainability.
14. Feria del Libro de Santa Cruz
Book fair featuring local authors, workshops, and literary events. Unique: It offers readings by local authors in various genres.
- Local Authors: Featuring works by local Bolivian authors.
- Workshops and Events: Offering a variety of workshops and literary events for visitors.
- Readings by Local Authors: Providing opportunities to listen to readings by local authors in various genres.
15. Festival Internacional de la Danza
International dance festival showcasing a variety of dance styles. Unique: It offers workshops for visitors to learn various dance styles.
- Dance Workshops: Offering interactive workshops for visitors to learn various dance styles.
- International Dance Styles: Showcasing a variety of international dance styles.
- Cultural Exchange: Providing opportunities for cultural exchange and learning about different dance styles.