Dragons, geckos, and castles floated down Paseo Colón on Saturday as San José celebrated another Festival de la Luz. Spectators numbered in the thousands, crowding the sidewalks for miles. Like a nocturnal Macy’s Day Parade, the massive event incorporates elaborate floats, marching bands, a brief fireworks display, and corporate sponsors like Kölbi and Claro. The municipality founded the festival in 1996.
Things took a turn for the wetter when rain started falling around 8 p.m., but the crowd seemed well-prepared: They huddled under awnings, opened umbrellas, and slipped into parkas. Led by the San José Fire Department, the parade continued through the drizzle, filling the streets with music and floodlights.
