Puerto Rico: 5 Fiestas and Holidays That Puerto Ricans Celebrate

Puerto Ricans may be U.S. citizens, but they have a unique culture of their own. This is reflected by the many fiestas and holidays that Puerto Rico usually celebrates as part of their customs and traditions.

Like many former Spanish colonies, this U.S. territory in the Caribbean also loves to celebrate fiestas, often with flamboyant parades and plenty of dancing, as well as booze. There is also their celebration of Christmas which is celebrated longer on the island than in the rest of the United States.

5 Popular Fiestas and Holidays in Puerto Rico

We picked five Puerto Rican holidays, including one celebrated by Americans and the rest of the world but is celebrated differently in Puerto Rico.

Christmas in Puerto Rico

According to Culture Trip, Puerto Ricans celebrate Christmas longer, as it lasts from the end of November until mid-January. While not as long as other former Spanish colonies like the Philippines, which celebrates Christmas from September until January, it is still celebrated much longer than in the U.S. mainland.

Much like other Spanish colonies, however, Puerto Ricans also have a feast on Christmas Eve called Noche Buena. They also love playing popular Christmas songs during that period, like "Feliz Navidad" by Jose Feliciano. The Christmas season ends with the feast of the Three Kings, which is usually held on January 5 on the island.

Fiesta de los Reyes Magos

Speaking of the Three Kings, this is the fiesta that ends the Christmas season, and Puerto Ricans celebrate it in a big way. The celebrations include a grand parade involving the Three Wise Men visiting Baby Jesus or the Santo Nino in the manger.

Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastian

Considered one of the most important celebrations in Puerto Rico, it celebrates Saint Sebastian in a series of street festivals. According to Medium, it is usually celebrated around the third weekend of January, and it usually involves a procession with the image of the saint. There is also music and one big street party.

Festival de Santiago Apostol

This holiday celebrates Vejigante, a popular local folk character who is depicted in a parade where vejigantes wear masks made of coconut and driftwood and battle Spanish conquistadores. According to Holidify, it is usually celebrated during the final weekend of July.

Festival Nacional Indigena

Puerto Rico also has its own holiday that celebrates its indigenous peoples, and it is called the Festival Nacional Indigena.

In particular, it celebrates the island's native Taino community as it shows the tribe's culture and traditions before Puerto Rico was colonized by Spain. They may have been subjugated by the Spaniards but their influence is still very strong on the island.

It is usually celebrated at the end of November in Jayuya, which has a significant Taino community. The area also boasts the highest peak in Puerto Rico, as well as some of the island's best coffee plantations.

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Written by: Rick Martin

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