A Listing of the National Holidays
January 1st New Year's Day
Most businesses close from around the 20th of December through January 3rd in order to give employees their annual two weeks vacation. During three or four days banks close and some of the newspapers don't circulate.
March 19th Saint Joseph's Day
(patron of the city of San José) Optional. Holy Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Most businesses are closed during the entire Holy Week for the mid-year vacation.
April 11th Battle of Rivas
(1856) battle fought in Nicaragua. Day in which Juan Santa María, national hero, through his courage, ousted William Walker's troops and helped win the war against the invading foreign filibusters.
May 1st Labor Day
Workmen's parade in San José.
July 25th Annexation of Guanacaste Province
(1824) Day in which the inhabitants ofthe territory of Nicoya, through their own free will, decided they wanted to belong to Costa Rica and not Nicaragua. To this day, many Nicaraguans believe Costa Rica stole this territory from them.
August 2nd. Virgin of LosAngeles
Day in which, according to tradition, the stone image of the virgin appeared to a native girl in 1525. Pilgrims from all parts of the country go on foot to pay homage to the virgin.
August 15th Mother's Day
(Optional)
September 15th Independence Day
Parades of school children in all towns. Held in the mornings to avoid the afternoon rains.
October 12th Culture Day
Discovery of America - Columbus Day. Big parade is held on the main streets of Puerto Limón and the town receives hundreds of visitors from all parts of the country.
November 2nd
Day ofthe Dead. Families take flowers to the graves of their deceased relatives. Optional
December 8th
Immaculate Conception (a church feast day) Optional.
December 25 Christmas
During this week until the 2nd or 3rd of January are held several events such as the tope or horse parade, the carnival down San Jose's 2nd Avenue, and the fiestas in Zapote.
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