Day of the Dead celebrations and other happenings around Costa Rica

Mexican Institute Activities

The Day of the Dead is an important traditional celebration in Mexico, and the Mexican Institute in Costa Rica, located in Los Yoses, is organizing several activities to celebrate:

Oct. 30: “Calacas, Traditions and Emotions: the Mexican View of Death” at 7 p.m., and the inauguration of the exhibit “The Travesty of Sight” at 8:30 p.m.

Oct. 31 and Nov. 1: Empaxúchitl paper flower-making workshop at 10 a.m., and a workshop on how to prepare an offering for the dead at 2 p.m.

Nov. 2: Day of the Dead party, traditional Mexican food and products, and performance of the play “Ofrenda de muertos viva” with live music.

For more information on these events, visit the Mexican Institute Facebook page or call 2283-2333.

More Day of the Dead Celebrations

Casa Frida will also celebrate the Day of the Dead with Mexican guest artists and the visit of “La Catrina,” the main character of the World of the Dead in Mexican culture. An altar will be available for participants who want to pay respects and remember their deceased family members and friends. Reservation needed.

“Día de los muertos” takes place Oct. 30 at Casa Frida, San José. Free. 7 p.m. For more information call 2222-5333.

Freak-show Circus + Halloween Party

Pace yourself: this event includes a circus featuring the scariest talents, an open-bar pre-party, a party with live music by Los Ajenos, and a post-party with breakfast and prizes. Contests for best overall costume (prize of $300), best woman’s costume ($400), and best group costumes (open bar premium) will cap off the night.

“Freakshow Circo + Halloween Party” takes place Oct. 30 at Belle Lounge & Gallery, Paseo Colón, San José. ₡6,000 ($12). 7 p.m. For more information call 8303-7171.

Halloweekend

Friends Bar will feature two huge Halloween parties. Oct. 30: a haunted house, Halloween pre-party, and open bar. Oct. 31: official Halloween party, open bar, and best costume contest.

“Halloweekend” takes place Oct. 30 – 31, 9 p.m., at Friends Bar, El Pueblo, San José. For more information visit the event page.

Outdoor Horror Film

The classic film “Frankenstein” (1931), starring Boris Karloff, will be screened at the Plaza de la Democracia.

“Noche de terror” takes place Oct. 31 at the Plaza de la Democracia, San José. Free. 6:30 p.m.

Party and Biking

A Halloween party at El Lobo Estepario will be preceded and followed by biking around San José.

“Bici Blanca + Masa Crítica” takes place Oct. 31 at El Lobo Estepario Bar, San José. Free. 7 p.m. More info at the Event Facebook page.

For more suggestions of Halloween parties, concerts and contests, take a look at our 10 can’t-miss Halloween events.

Masquerade Festival

National Masquerade Day will be celebrated in the central park of Heredia, with activities including mask-making workshops, a free yoga workshop, henna tattoos, Costa Rian music concerts, a mini circus, aerial dance, masquerades and cimarrona parades, sports, traditional games, and more.

“Festival Ecléctico” takes place Oct. 30 at Heredia’s central park. Free. 3 p.m. More info at the Event Facebook page.

Topa Jr Express

Captain Topa and his band “Los Rulos” will offer a spectacular show for children. The show will be full of surprises, dance, and games, along with the band’s new songs.

“Topa Jr Express” will be performed Oct. 31 and Nov. 1 at Palacio de lo Deportes, Heredia. 2 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. ₡16,000 – 36,000 ($32 – 72). For more information call 2289-0909 or visit the Publitickets Website.

Dance: “Dirge: The passage to the afterlife”

An interdisciplinary project that features 45 artists, all co-producers, depicting pre-Columbian and colonial funeral rituals.

“Canto fúnebre: el paso al más allá” will be performed Oct. 31 – Nov. 1 at the Dance School at the Omar Dengo Campus of the Universidad Nacional, in Heredia, at 7 p.m. Free. More info at the RedCultura Website.

Theater: Jarte Jarte Commedia dell’Arte

A performance fusing the antique theater technique of Commedia dell’Arte and improvisation. The public will choose the topic and the stories that will be developed.

“Jarte Jarte Commedian dell’Arte” will be performed Oct. 30-31 at 8 p.m., Nov. 1 at 6 p.m., Nov. 5-6-7 at 8 p.m., Nov.8 at 6 p.m. At the Teatro Universitario, at the University of Costa Rica, San Pedro. ₡4,000 ($8) general public, ₡3,000 ($6) senior citizens and students. For more information call 2511-6722.

Theater: “Puzzle”

Seven different stories which, at some point, all intertwine, offer a critique of increasing violence in Costa Rican and the country’s “pecking order.”

“Rompecabezas” will be performed Oct. 31 – Nov. 1 at the Óscar Fessler Theatre, inside the National Theater. Sat. at 8 p.m., and Sun. at 5 p.m. and 8 p.m. ₡2,000 ($4) for students, ₡4,000 ($8) general public. For more information call 2221-1273.