Most Honduran towns have an annual festival honoring a Catholic patron saint. These events often go underpublicized, but are 100% worthy of a day-trip or a weekend jaunt in which to participate. They are very often large events, with
parties, religious ceremonies, parades and public performances. These festivals offer a great insight into a local culture, history and its people.

Here are some of the betterknown festivals that take place throughout the country. Mark your calendar and make plans to attend!

January – “Guancascos entre Ilama y Gualala” - Gualala, Santa Bárbara: This is more of a ‘fun fair’ held in honor of the patron saint. With traditional dances, food and drink, this festival is not only for the entertainment of locals and tourists but to help teach ‘Catrachos’ (what Hondurans call themselves) the root of their culture.

1st Week in February – “Fiesta Virgin of Suyapa” – Suyapa, near Tegucigalpa: The Virgin of Suyapa stands at a diminutive eight centimeters high. Pilgrimages are made to the Basilica Suyapa to worship the tiny wooden image with great
passion, processions and ceremonies to honor her Saint’s day.

March 15 -20 – “Area Fair (Feria)” – Copan Ruinas: This 5-day festival in the city of the famous Mayan ruins is complete with rides, music, and celebrations.

Week preceding Easter – “Holy Week Festival” – Santa Rosa de Copan: Celebrated throughout the country, the best place to be during the week is probably Santa Rosa de Copan, with six parades depicting different parts of the Easter story, and processions on Good Friday.

April 14 – “Pan American Day” – various locations: Pan American Day is celebrated annual l y throughout the country and in all of the Americas, marking the anniversary of the day in 1890 when an American union was established. It
is usually observed with commemorative activities.

Third weekend in May – “Carnaval San Isidro” – La Ceiba: This is one of Honduras´ largest carnivals; the festivities last a week and include ethnic dancing
with dawn-to-dusk music, food and drink as well as a lavish parade. The carnival boasts the enthusiastic participation of the local Garifuna population.

June 10- 15 – “Fiesta de San Antonio” – Tela: The week-long, riotous party begins at four in the morning, with people setting off firecrackers and shouting to ensure that it begins with a bang. Later, the celebration turns to a solemn mass led by the firemen’s corps and the newly-crowned Queen of the Festival. The main carnival is on June 14.

June 22 & 23 – “Fiesta San Juan Bautista” – Trujillo: The fiesta of San Juan Bautista occurs in one of Honduras´ oldest towns. Trujillo was one of the first Catholic bishoprics in the country and is still an important religious area. The
celebration normally includes parades and music and extends to the Caribbean beaches of the area as well.

June – “Feria Juniana” – San Pedro Sula: The monthlong celebration, honoring Saint Juniana, revolves around cultural events, live music, and street carnivals, and gives people a chance to celebrate with the locals.

This is the second largest carnival in Honduras after La Ceiba´s “Carnaval San Isidro.”

July 9 – 24 – “Garifuna festiva” - Bajamar, near Puerto Cortes: Many of the local Garifuna people from the surrounding communities gather here during this ethnic celebration and create a great display of one of the traditional Honduran cultures.

Third week in August – “Maiz (Corn) Festival” – Danli: Cultural and sporting events, a Corn Queen (!), and live, music fill the streets and fields of Danli. The town goes ‘corn crazy’ - the all-night street party is one of the most popular in
Honduras. Note to readers in or around Tegucigalpa: this is an easy day trip.

Late August –“Fiesta Santa Rosa de Lima” – Santa Rosa de Copan: A lively fiesta dedicated to the local Saint, Santa Rosa de Lima, this carnival hosts a beauty pageant, coronation, street carnivals, cultural performances and
much more.

September 15th –“Independence Day” – various locations: In 1862, Honduras achieved independence after being governed by Spain for nearly three centuries. Throughout the country, schools close for celebrations involving the children and
in the major cities, parades bring the streets to a standstill, with people enthusiastically dancing and music-making. Loud firecrackers figure prominently for several days and nights leading up to Independence Day.

December 1 - 12 – “Feria Patronal” – Santa Babara: This festival is the celebration of the patron saint and Holy Week. The festival has parties, cultural events and a religious ceremony.

These are just a few of the more well-known festivals that take place throughout Honduras. It is always worth asking the locals if there are any festivals taking place, as they are an incredible source for true insights into traditional Honduran
culture and lifestyle.

Check out this website as it has many of the above festivals listed: www.istc.org/sisp/index.htm?fx=event.search&loc_id=162385&cat_id=2229