Bullfights, 80s music, and other happenings around Costa Rica

Fiestas de Zapote

The final week of a Costa Rican year is a bipolar period – on the one hand, shops close their doors and employees take a much-needed break. On the other hand, New Year’s parties flare up all across the country, and nowhere is the party more manic than the Fiestas de Zapote. Located in the (normally) buttoned-down San José neighborhood, the Zapote fairgrounds are packed with carnival rides, food stands, churro vendors, and the ragingly popular Costa Rican bullfights. Generally considered “humane” compared to the bullfights of Pamplona, since humans, not the bulls themselves, are the ones getting injured, the toros draw hundreds of daredevil improvisados, amateur bullfighters who fill the ring and try to get as close to the bull as possible. Expect music, greasy snacks, and all the Imperial you can drink.

Las Fiestas de Zapote continue through Jan. 4 at the Zapote fairgrounds. Toros  entry ₡5,000-25,000 (($10-50). Info: Fiestas website.

Local cover band performs the best of Journey and Bon Jovi at Jazz Café.

Music: Karaoke Party

San José hotspot El Steinvorth hosts its final karaoke party of 2014.

Party takes place Dec. 27 at Steinvorth, downtown San José. 9 p.m. Info: Steinvorth Facebook page.

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 on display at Hidden Garden Art Gallery, near Liberia, Guanacaste. 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Free. Info: Gallery 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.