HomeTopicsArts and CultureCosta Rica's Festival of Lights

Costa Rica’s Festival of Lights

SHINE ON: Astronauts and smoking volcanoes, cheerleaders and aprominent CNN reporter… The IX Festival of Lights brought it all to thestreets of San José Saturday night.

The San José Municipality estimatesmore than a million Costa Ricans attended the parade – roughlyone fourth of the country’s population – to be dazzled by the tenfloats, nine bands, dancers and cheerleading teams that lit up thestreets.

Scores of children, in hats and scarves to stay warm on thechilly night, could not hide their delight at the sight of the Lion King-inspiredfloat.

Barbie, on Librería Universal’s float, had the sameeffect, while others favored the Franklin Chang float, dedicated to theCosta Rican astronaut who waved at the public during the parade.Glenda Umaña, a Costa Rican reporter from CNN en Español, was another guest of honor.

Trending Now

How Living in Costa Rica Changed the Way I See the World

When speaking of the 1980s and 90s, I like to refer to it as the previous century. “In the previous century, we didn’t have...

French Woman Found Shot Dead Inside Her Guanacaste Home

A 64-year-old French woman was found dead with a gunshot wound to the head inside her home in Cabo Velas, Santa Cruz, on Friday...

Red Tide Spreads in Costa Rica’s Gulf of Nicoya and Cooking Won’t Make Shellfish Safe

SENASA widened the Gulf of Nicoya red tide ban. Cooking doesn't make oysters, mussels or pianguas safe.

Costa Rica’s Tropical Depression Risk Fades but the Downpours Don’t

The low-pressure system off Central America's Pacific coast is now less likely to become a tropical depression, but that doesn't mean a dry weekend...

Central America – Where Soccer Is Stuck in Time

Bryan Oliva, 12, runs across a field of yellowing, overgrown grass in a densely populated neighborhood of San Salvador. He dreams of becoming a...

Prison Cases at Costa Rica’s Constitutional Court Jump 124% Amid Crackdown

Prison-related cases at Costa Rica's Constitutional Chamber rose from 2,130 in 2020 to 4,780 in 2025, as tougher prison rules collide with the state's duty to feed and treat inmates.

Your 2027 Marchamo Is Lower if You Drive a Private Car

If you drive a private car, your 2027 marchamo is probably a little cheaper than last year's. The National Insurance Institute (INS) puts the...

El Niño Leaves Gulf of Nicoya Fishermen With Catches Too Small to Pay for Fuel

Fishermen in the Gulf of Nicoya say the unusually warm water El Niño has pushed against Costa Rica’s Pacific coast has left their nets...

Democrats Win Congress but Costa Rica’s US Tariff Stays

Democrats won control of both chambers of the US Congress in Tuesday's midterm elections. The result hands President Donald Trump a divided government for...
Loading…

Latest News from Costa Rica

Costa Rica Coffee Maker Chorreador
Costa Rica Car Rentals
Costa Rica Travel Insurance
Costa Rica Travel