Nativity scenes, funk music, and other happenings around Costa Rica

Nativity Scenes

Nothing says “traditional Christmas” like a nativity scene, and the elaborate dioramas are beloved across Costa Rica. To celebrate the season – and the legendary birth of Jesus Christ – the José Figueres Ferrer Cultural and Historical Center presents an exhibition of 25 nativity scenes. See how amateur artists recreated that fabled manger and the arrival of Three Wise Men in this inventive display.

Exhibition on display at the José Figueres Ferrer Cultural and Historical Center, downtown San Ramón. Tue.-Wed., 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.; Thu.-Sat., 9 a.m. – 8 p.m. Info: Museum website.

Christmas Concerts

Dec. 19

Pop Christmas: Tamela Hedstrom, Miriam Jarquín, and Sasha Campbell perform with the Band of Cartago at the Municipal Amphitheatre, Cartago. 7 p.m. Free.

Dec. 21

Band of Limón: “White Christmas” concert with Grupo Master Key, Parque Vargas, downtown Puerto Limón. 6 p.m. Free.

Band of Guanacaste: Central Park, Cañas. 7 p.m. Free.

Band of Puntarenas: Lighthouse Point, Puntarenas. 11 a.m. Free.

Tamarindo Growing Together

This community festival features yoga, martial arts, fire shows, and surfing, among countless other activities. Proceeds benefit the CEPIA community center.

Fundraiser takes place Dec. 20 at Pangas Beach Club, Tamarindo. 4:30 p.m. ₡2,500-5000 ($5-10). Info: CEPIA website.

Art: Clearly Costa Rica

Combining realistic animal portraits with abstractly patterned scenery, Nathan Miller’s art is a colorful illustration of Costa Rica’s outdoors.

Exhibit opening takes place Dec. 20 at Hidden Garden Art Gallery, near Liberia, Guanacaste. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Free. Info: Gallery website.

Music: Infibeat

The high-energy Costa Rican funk band takes over Mundoloco.

Concert takes place Dec. 20 at Mundoloco El Chante, San Pedro. 8 p.m. Info: Mundoloco Facebook page.

Music: Mike Joseph and The Gideon Band

Limón-based reggae outfit gets funky in San José.

Concert takes place Dec. 19 at AmonSolar, Barrio Amón. 9 p.m. ₡3,000 ($6). Info: AmonSolar Facebook page.

A Sack Full of Christmas

Children’s storyteller Juan Cuantocuentos tells tales of the New Testament, with music and hijinx.

“Navidad de Gangoche” will be performed Dec. 20 at The National Theater, downtown San José. 11 & 1 p.m. ₡2,000-4,000 ($4-8). Info: National Theater website.

Film: “Watership Down”

The haunting 1978 film screens at the Monge Museum as part of its “subversive animation” series. See how it compares to Richard Adams’ classic allegorical novel about rabbits seeking a new home.

“La Colina de Watership” screens Dec. 20 at the Museo Joaquín García Monge, Desamparados. 6:30 p.m. ₡2,000 ($4). Info: GAM Cultural.

Theater: “A Christmas Carol”

“Un Cuento de Navidad” receives its annual production at Teatro Espressivo, thanks to a stage adaptation by Paul Stebbings.

“Un Cuento de Navidad” continues through Dec. 21 at Teatro Espressivo, Tres Ríos. Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 7 p.m.; Sun., 3 & 7 p.m. ₡7,000-10,000 ($14-20). Info: Teatro Espressivo website.

Exhibit: “Tomás Povedano and Costa Rican Cash”

The Spanish artist Tomás Povedano already had a shining career before his moved to Costa Rica and designed the national currency. Catch this numismatic retrospective at the National Bank Museums.

“Tomás Povedano y Los Billetes de Costa Rica” continues through Aug. 1, 2015, at the National Bank Museums, downtown San José. Openly daily, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. ₡1,500. Info: Bank Museums website.