San Juan Festivals

San Juan hosts more festivals—and more outlandish celebrations—than any other city on the island. Most are held in Old San Juan, and the hordes of visitors can create horrendous traffic jams; if you go, take the bus or park in one of the several parking garages on the eastern edge of town. Some of the largest events are listed below. For more information about any festival, or exact dates, contact the Puerto Rico Tourism Company (see Tourist Offices).

Lelolai Festival. This series of weekly cultural performances was designed by the Puerto Rico Tourism Company to highlight Puerto Rico’s multicultural heritage. The ongoing festival offers salsa lessons, tropical music, and rumba performances. Some of the events are free, but others require the “Puerto Rico is Fun” card, available for purchase at over 50 island hotels. Check online listings for performance times and locations around San Juan. (4 nights per week. Primarily in San Juan, but shows held throughout the island. ☎721-2400, ext. 2215; www.gotopuertorico.com.)

Martes Noche De Galería. On the first Tuesday of every month, galleries across Old San Juan keep their doors open into the night, presenting new exhibitions and hosting special events. However, many young people skip the galleries and head straight to C. San Sebastián, which becomes an enormous street party lasting until the wee hours of the morning. This has caused many galleries to avoid participating altogether. Nevertheless, the party prevails: the Plaza de Armas, C. del Cristo, and Plaza San José on C. San Sebastián tend to be the centers of activity. (1st Tu of the month year-round. Old San Juan.)

Festival De La Calle San Sebastián. By day, this is one of the biggest artesanía festivals on the island, and hundreds of artisans exhibit their wares in the Cuartel de la Ballajá (the same building as the Museo de las Américas). As night falls, the government shuts down C. San Sebastián for an incredible party attended by thousands of drunken revelers. (The week of Jan. 20, though the party gets going on the weekend. Old San Juan.)

La Noche De San Juan Bautista. Wishing for luck in the coming year, hundreds of sanjuaneros fall backward into the ocean seven times at the stroke of midnight. In addition to offering traditional art, music, and food, this festival dedicated to San Juan Bautista has evolved into a massive, island-wide beach party complete with bonfires, drums, marshmallow roasting, and fireworks. (Sa preceding June 24th. Puerta de Tierra, Condado, Ocean Park, Isla Verde, and throughout the island.)

Heineken Jazz Festival. This is Puerto Rico’s largest jazz festival, drawing acts such as Manhattan Transfer and Eddie Palmieri. The event focuses on Latin jazz, but musicians from all over the world come to play under Caribbean skies. (Apr.-June Th-Su 8-10pm. Anfiteatro Tito Puente in Parque Luis Muñoz Marín, San Juan. www.prheinekenjazz.com. 1-day tickets $23, 4-day tickets $65; available from Ticketpop.)

La Feria De Artesanía. Vendors selling everything from soap to handmade guiros pack Old San Juan’s Paseo la Princesa in one of the island’s largest craft fairs. Orchestras, folkloric dancers, and big-name salsa acts like El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico put on free shows on the western end of the Paseo and in the Plaza de la Dársena. (1st weekend in June 7-10pm. Paseo la Princesa, Old San Juan. ☎721-2400.)

Casals Festival. Created by Spanish composer Pablo Casals , this two-week festival consists of a series of classical music performances by the Puerto Rican Symphony Orchestra and visiting musicians. Posters from past Casals Festivals are on display in the Casals Museum in Old San Juan. (Dates vary widely, but the festival is always held in the spring. In the Centro de Bellas Artes Luis A. Ferré , Santurce. ☎723-9185; www.festcasalspr.gobierno.pr.)

Puerto Rico Salsa Congress. This annual salsa exhibition and convention features dancers from around the world and classes for visitors of every skill level. (Last weekend in July. ☎470-8888.)

Cinemafest De Puerto Rico. This internationally renowned film festival draws producers, directors, and actors from around the world. Films relating to the Caribbean may compete for prizes. Over 100 short and feature-length films are shown. (Held over 1 week in Nov. Screenings at various locations around the island, but primarily in San Juan. ☎723-5015; www.sanjuancinemafest.com.)

Bacardi Feria De Artesanía. The Bacardi Corporation hosts yet another enormous artisans festival. Every December, over 100,000 people venture out to Cataño to check out local arts and crafts, dance to live salsa and merengue, and, of course, sample their favorite rum. The drinks aren’t free, but all proceeds go to charity. (1st 2 weekends in Dec. Bacardi Factory , Cataño.)