The San José Municipality, the Culture Ministry and the San José Sports and Recreation Committee have teamed up to present Verano en San José (Summer in San José), a 14-week festival of integrated activities that kicked off Jan. 16 and will run through Easter Sunday, April 24.
Every Sunday through April 10, the Smog-Free Family Sundays program will close Paseo Colón to vehicle traffic between La Sabana Park and Torre Mercedes, opening that space to creative workshops, theater performances, food and book stands, dance and stand-up comedy shows from about 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Each week will feature a different theme, such as “Vacation in the City,” “Ecological Sunday” or “Love and Friendship Day.”
Additionally, two popular annual festivals will be folded into the Verano en San José program: Transitarte, which will bring a host of art and cultural activities to various of the city’s public spaces March 11 to 13; and Summer at CENAC, set for April 4 to 6 at the National Culture Center (CENAC).
Other events will include San José’s patron saint day celebration March 19, with an 11 a.m. Mass at the Metropolitan Cathedral, a procession around the Central Park and concerts at the lake in La Sabana Park; a gallo pinto party, in honor of the quintessential Tico rice-and-beans dish, March 20 on Paseo Colón; and an Urban Sports at Midnight initiative, featuring nighttime sporting activities in each of San José’s 11 districts on Fridays from Jan. 21 to April 1.
Verano en San José will conclude with Easter Holy Week celebrations April 17 to 24, organized in conjunction with the San José Archdiocese.
