The Fiestas de Palmares 2026 began yesterday with a parade through the streets and the opening of the PalmarINK art gallery. Thousands gathered for the event’s first day, which ended with a concert featuring Trío Los Panchos and Trío Los Dandys at 7 p.m. in the redondel. Organizers from the Asociación Cívica Palmareña reported no issues despite the high turnout. Those who went enjoyed the mix of music and cultural displays, setting the tone for the 12-day celebration that runs through the 26th.
Today, another parade leads into the evening’s bull event at 8 p.m., where participants in the traditional toros a la tica without injuring the animals. The tope, the festival’s signature horse parade, follows tomorrow at noon, drawing riders from across the country. That night offers verano toreado, a lighthearted bull-teasing show at 8 p.m.
Sporting events start on Sunday with the Clásica Palmarín MTS MTB race in the morning, followed by a noon concert from salsa artist Óscar D’León. The day includes a rodeo at 3 p.m. and campeonato de monta at 8 p.m. Throughout the festival, the PalmarINK gallery hosts painting workshops, cosplay contests, graffiti sessions, and live music. Fireworks, a children’s festival, costume races, and a kids’ stick-horse parade occur daily.
Midweek highlights include a children’s bull event on Tuesday at 6 p.m. and a horse show on Thursday at 8 p.m. The Clásica Palmarín atletismo race offers routes for runners during the week. On the 24th, the new Ride Palmarín 4×4 event at 4 p.m. tests off-road vehicles on challenging tracks.
The second weekend brings a motor show on the 25th, plus a noon concert by Colombian group Piso 21. The afternoon features a gran rodeo at 3 p.m., followed by campeonato de monta and a bull event at 8 p.m. The festival closes on January 26 with a final parade, bull event at 8 p.m., and fireworks.
Tickets for concerts are available through the ACP office or online, with promotions like 2-for-1 on some shows. Sports registrations happen via the official website. The campo ferial is awash with food vendors offering local dishes and drinks from sponsor Imperial. Security measures and road closures help manage the expected the large number visitors, supporting the local economy.
| Date | Activities |
|---|---|
| Throughout (Jan 15-26) | PalmarINK: Painting workshops, cosplay contests, graffiti sessions, live music; Fireworks, children’s festival, costume races, kids’ stick-horse parade |
| Thursday, January 15 | Parade, gallery opening, night of boleros with Trío Los Panchos and Trío Los Dandys (7 p.m.) |
| Friday, January 16 | Parade, bull event (8 p.m.) |
| Saturday, January 17 | Horse parade (noon), verano toreado (8 p.m.) |
| Sunday, January 18 | MTB race, Óscar D’León concert (noon), rodeo (3 p.m.), campeonato de monta (8 p.m.) |
| Tuesday, January 20 | Children’s bull event (6 p.m.) |
| Thursday, January 22 | Horse show (8 p.m.) |
| Saturday, January 24 | Ride Palmarín 4×4 (4 p.m.) |
| Sunday, January 25 | Motor show, Piso 21 concert (noon), gran rodeo (3 p.m.), campeonato de monta (8 p.m.), bull event (8 p.m.) |
| Monday, January 26 | Parade, bull event (8 p.m.), fireworks |
With large crowds already turning out for the opening days, the Fiestas de Palmares continue to serve as a major draw for Costa Ricans as well as tourists, supporting local vendors and highlighting our traditions in music, sports and community gatherings. The festival runs through January 26.
