Major Events & Festivals in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Santa Cruz, 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.