Here is the list of festivals in June 2022: Shimla Summer Festival. In bodies of water such as Cuicocha lagoon and Peguche waterfall, communities park take in ritual cleansings to dispose of negative energy, renew positive energy, and reinforce their bond with mother nature. Stalls on the streets in all big cities in Ecuador sell yellow and red undergarments, should you be lacking. The festival originated in 1742 following the eruption of the Cotopaxi volcano. August, the month of the arts: In Ecuador, the month of August is considered the month of Culture and arts. Two dates are of utmost importance. Photo credit: Chimu Advventures Ritual purification is also an important part of Inti Raymi. Locals don black pointed hats and wear goatskin chaps to elevate the overall traditional vibe. As Carnival takes place just before Lent, it's a last chance for many people to get in some good old fashioned fun before the more sobering religious time of year. The doll represents the The week is celebrated with various events and religious ceremonies with rich cultural traditions. Carnival in Ecuador is celebrated in its own way. Colorful, noisy markets populate the town square manned by the indigenous people of Ecuador just as it was long before the Spanish conquest. . It is also known as Holy Friday, learn more Cuarenta, a typically Ecuadorian card game, is also enjoyed by many during this time. The celebration also matches with the harvest season and the end of an Andean agricultural cycle. Ever since, locals dress up in flamboyant attire and take to the streets to put up zestful performances, acts, and parades. In Ecuador, in particular, the Inti Raymi is celebrated between the 18th and 24th of June. If you want to participate in the countrys most significant indigenous festival, we recommend joining the festivities with a guide. Virgen de la Caridad - February 2nd: Dances, fireworks, cow capture, and ball games are played at the Festival to the Virgin in Carchi. Festivals in Quito An eclectic mix of events marks Fiestas de Quito which runs from November 28 to December 6. Notable elements include Nativity reenactments, bullfights, traditional dancing and carnivals in the Old Town. The main day begins with a Mass at the church, followed by a procession. The Fox has a head start of 80 meters and is then chased by the Ecuador is a relatively big country, and as a result, it's no surprise that different regions of Ecuador have their own, individual styles of celebrating Day of the Dead in Ecuador. Clad in wool chaps, communities, especially those around Otavalo, spend most of the festival dancing, drinking, and eating. A city of culture and striking contrasts where the old meets the new 17th century churches, museums, and neoclassical architecture connect with avenues brimming with modern shops, markets and charming restaurants and cafes. what festival in ecuador is celebrated in june? In Ecuador, the festivities of Corpus were celebrated in June, with special intensity in the colony, through large popular mobilizations and colorful theatrical events, whose actors interacted a lot with the public. I have watched the dancers of Tabacundo at different events over the years and never realized that they have a special celebration all their own called La Noche San Pedrina. People anticipate Holy Week several weeks prior when signs for fanesca begin appearing. Though the name may conjure up solemn images, don't worry, festivals throughout the Peruvian highlands include music, dancing, and even events such as bullfighting as part of the celebrations. In many communities, the dancing goes well into the night. These cultural representations were followed by music and dances, which generally lasted several days. Thank you, mi querida Jacquie, for teaching me even more about the wonderful Inti Raymi celebrations that take place near your home! This mountain can be considered as one of the monuments with which Nature has made a great difference on Earth. Harrogate International Festivals. These people offer their national music to entertain and contribute to the celebration. of the Sun is one of the most important indigenous The procession, called the Jesus of Great Power procession, takes place on Holy Friday. and includes music, parades, dancing, costumes, and it will be difficult to miss locals throwing flour and water to visitors and passers-by. If you happen to be in Quito duringduring this period, make sure you catch one of the multiple processions and immerse yourself in tradition. Fireworks light up the sky at midnight. Fanesca is a traditional soup that is only eaten in the weeks leading up to Easter. The leader of each community wears the Aya Uma mask, which is composed of two faces to represent the dualities of this world: sun and moon, night and day, south and north, and past and future. These are some festivals of Ecuador of which you can take part: Quito's Arts Summer Mantea Raft Festival Humpback whale festival in Puerto Lopez Montuvio Junn Festival Canoe fest Horse Riding Fair Los Tulipanes Tomorrow Rio Musical Festival Family Festival Festival of Living Cultures, Riobamba is Culture Sun to Sun Festival Quito Light Festival Inti Raymi is a festival that is directly related to the end of the harvest season and, to this day, is recognized country-wide. Starting in 1998, the festival was created to celebrate the culture and tradition of local winemakers in . Dolls are a central character of the NYE celebrations. No matter the color of ones skin or relationship to the community, everyone is welcome to share in this moment. Ecuadorians observe this global holiday with their amusing traditions, and they celebrate with tremendous zeal. Throughout the Highlands and the Amazon regions, for example, different indigenous groups give particular tweaks to the way they commemorate their dead. On this day, locals put up high-spirited performances, entertainment shows, and parades that are truly a sight to behold. Today's festival is based on descriptions from Peruvian writer Inca Garciloso de la Vega, who published his observations of the festival in his tome Comentarios . Protect Ansenuza National Parks Flamboyant Flamingos, The Imminent Threat of Cotopaxi Updated 2022, Book Review: Rough Guide, Ecuador & The Galapagos Islands. There will be week-long celebrations that take place from March to April (dates vary due to the lunar calendar). One of the most beautiful cities in all South America, blessed with invigorating spring-like weather, and which was pronounced a Humanitys Cultural Heritage by UNESCO. This dance often lasts more than twelve hours and includes characters such asthe Chinuca, the Aruchico and of course the infallible Diablohuma (Aya-Huma). Semana Santa, Inti Raymi, Carnival, you name it! People also use buckets of water and water balloons to make passersby soaking wet. This Ecuador festivals origins remain unknown, but folklore connects it to indigenous uprisings across several centuries. equestrian activity known as Caceria del Zorro or Foxhunt. request a donation from passing cars. There is an opening celebration which is then followed by a party that lasts for eight days. I cant wait to read your next article. San Vino Wine Fight Festival, Haro, Spain, June 29. In Ecuador, Inti Raymi is also known as the Fiesta of San Juan. Make sure you arrive on time, as it gets quite crowded. One important element of this celebration What is an important holiday in Ecuador? This is an annual festival Nowadays, on Good Friday is possible to see hundreds of cucuruchos walking the streets of the historical center. December 24: Christmas. A man, who has to be born in Latacunga, is elected by the townspeople and dresses as a black woman (the black mother) and rides on horseback through the town, accompanied by a procession with Her trips always include interactions with locals and tasting traditional foods. The energy and spirits of these performers are every bit infectious! You can take a, Staying safe in Quito City A Guide for your Visit and Quito Safety Tips. The word Yamor refers to a traditional beverage, which is brewed using seven varieties of corn and is unique to this area. You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe link, found at the bottom of every email. The most well-known festival takes place a few days prior and is called Carnival of Guaranda. Sip carefully! This magical place does exist, and its The geography of the landscape is perfect to practicing adventure sports like hiking, biking or climbing, but the most popular activity is the horseback ride Chagra Style (The cowboys of the Ecuador). region. Here are the Top festivals June in India 2021 to be celebrated 1. Ecuadors Pllaro city (near Baos city) rings in the new year in a rather unique manner by hosting La Diablada de Pllaro that takes place from January 1 until January 6. Witnessing the entire procession evokes feelings of both beauty and pain. August - Boughton House, Kettering, Northamptonshire Established with a reputation for delivering the world's most enthralling performers to our doorstep, Harrogate International Festivals creates distinctive cultural experiences through their year-round delivery of festivals and events, as well as nurturing local talent. Inti Raymi, takes place on June 21 when the proximity of the sun to the earth marks a new annual cycle. The Fox is a horse rider dress in back, with a cape hanging from his back. Dont forget to take caution though. Day of the Virgin of Quinche - November 21st: Quinche is a small community located a few kilometers north of Quito, in the Pichincha Province. Oriente/Amazon: This is a good month for exploring Parque Nacional Yasuni or the Cuyabeno Reserve by boat, as water levels are high. traditional ceremonies. Las Viudas (The Widows) are a major thing dung this celebrations. The purpose of the festivities is to thank mother earth for the corn harvest. Have you ever considered attending at local festivals and celebrations when traveling? See our privacy policy for more information on how we use your data. Celebrated in the central sierra, particularly Salasaca and Pujil with danzates (masked dancers), wonderful costumes and, in the latter town, 5-10m poles people climb to get prizes at the top. Atacames, Provincia de Esmeraldas, Ecuador. While origins of Mama Negra Festivities remain largely obscure, local understanding suggests connections to an eruption of the Cotopaxi volcano that endangered the lives of African slaves. Ecuador has a long tradition of colourful festivals and fiestas that include the following: Inti Raymi Inti Raymi Festival celebrated in Ecuador and Peru. In Ecuador, Christmas is celebrated on December 25th and is a time for families to come together and celebrate. The lyrics reflect that past and present retain much in common. But even during times of the Covid-19 quarantines, the joy of living this celebration in a different way will not be extinguished. looks of passersby. The most important events and processions of this Catholic celebration are: La procesion de Ramos or Palm Sunday Procession of the towns of Lican and Chambo, in the Chimborazo Province. It contains squash, beans, cheese, peas, corn, and peanuts and is garnished with hard-boiled eggs, empanadas, avocado, and fried plantains. Hemis Monastery adorned beautifully, with Buddhist lamas and monks gather to perform the sacred mask dance. New Years Eve is a great time to visit Ecuador, as you can experience the unique Ecuadorian traditions of this holiday and then start your New Year off with a bang, traveling to places like the Amazon rainforest and the Galapagos. Glastonbury Music Festival, June 26 - 30. Salinas is the best city in Ecuador to view fireworks. Thousands of cucuruchos walk among Jesus journey, symbolizing penitents who are wanting to repent and turn away from sin. This day is celebrated on the Friday before Easter Sunday. The donations are then used to finance the new years party, organized by the different neighborhoods. You can either purchase one from the market or even make one of your own and enjoy New Years celebrations in a wholly unique manner. Da de la Raza is the perfect day to get a sense of Ecuadors patriotism and unity so try attending it if you can. They dress in purple robes and don the veils in reverence for the woman who used her veil to wipe Jesus face. be surprised by the gigantic masterpieces, that will be burnt at midnight. Imagine a very small but unique valley with more plants and bird species than Europe and North America put together; where trees compete in tallness for the sunlight and the forests are filled with butterflies. They also indulge in Mulled Wine, Cocada, and Quento. The party gathers the whole town and foreigners alike. Sat - Sun: Closed. These drinks are quite strong. Traditional Festival of the Inti Raymi. It is a period of celebration and abundance before the fasting. Cirio de Nazare. Carnival: The celebration of Carnival across Ecuador comes before Lent. Head on to Quitos historic city centre, which is the hub of all the activities during the festival. Expect processions and feasting. Quito's streets are filled with music and people celebrating the city. During this date, thousands of national and foreign tourists walk the streets of the historic center of Cusco and congregate on the esplanades of its main sites to experience a special day of cultural activities whose purpose is to revalue . Battle of Pichincha - May 24: This national holiday commemorates the victory of the liberation forces during a determinant battle of 1822, and that signified the independence from the Spanish A deeply theatrical tradition, Holly Week in Ecuador gathers iconic characters in a procession recreating Christs journey to the cross. It is celebrated with rituals, street dancing and even bullfights. Regardless of whether the Feast Day falls on a Monday or a Saturday, people from all around gather for the celebration. It is a two-day long festival that marks the birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava. In the cities of Quito and Guayaquil, there contests for the best-made dolls. Celebrations like Corpus Christ i, Saint Juan, Saint Pedro and Saint Paul, with religious and pagan characteristics, which occur in the month of June in almost all the indigenous populations of the mountains. dress, with a pointy hat of the same color that covers all of They present a brilliant insight into the countrys history, culture, and warmth that youll surely enjoy. The Cucurucho tradition began in the colonial times, where repentant and devoted Christians would wear the pointy hats (called cucurucho) and wait outside of the churches, enduring the elements and the the consolation that takes place in Guayaquil, in the Guayas Province. Some truly passionate people even stomp on the burning pile for effect. tradition as Andean cowboys was born. Fiesta del Yamor. Photo taken from : El Diario Where are the Best Places to Celebrate Inti Raymi in Ecuador? Some are happy and others are sad but the music always includes dance and rhythm. Check out our recent article on Carnival for more details on how different cities within Ecuador celebrate Carnival! Held in the city of Otavalo, the Yamor Festival sees a cultural conglomeration of people from the Imbabura region. The festivities include processions, music, dancing in the streets, fireworks, cock fighting, mock bull fighting and lots of fun. The celebration in Zuleta includes characters such as the Prioste de Gallo or Prioste Mayor, the Prioste de la Compostura de Caballo who delegates women to lower the horses and take care of the fruits that will be offered to the spectators, the Prioste de la Loa who delegates the organization of the festival to minor priostes. While living in Manta, Ecuador, we were able to attend various festiv. Backpacking through Ecuador is a mighty rewarding experience as it features fantastic things to do and places to visit. Festivals in Ecuador are some of the most interesting and enjoyable events found throughout the world. Inti Raymi consists of a lot of dancing. This is a music festival which also hosts dance competitions. The festival usually takes place for a week, from June 21 onwards, during the summer solstice. Blog Post While popular culture associations take us to dancing, drinking, watching fireworks, and partying, Ecuador has its very own way of celebrating New Years Day. Families and delegations join in. FAQs, Ecuador Festivals: A guide to the Top 7 Ecuadorian Holidays and Festivals, Nature Galapagos & Ecuador 2022 All Rights Reserved, This bizarre celebration is held in Pllaro (north of Tungurahua Province, near, A deeply theatrical tradition, Holly Week in Ecuador gathers iconic characters in a procession recreating Christs journey to the cross. Inti Raymi consists of several weeks full of dance, music, food, and spiritual rituals. A self-proclaimed aesthete striving for a fulfilling personal and professional life. var ajaxurl="https://gulliver.com.ec/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php"; Mon - Fri: 8:30 - 17:30 This being the harvest season. Historically considered the devils mask by the Spanish, the indigenous population considers Aya Uma to be a mythological spirit that ought to be highly respected. The last float to appear carries the Jess del Gran Poder statue, a 17th-century work of art depicting Jesus journey to the cross. Take a look and make sure to be part of one when visiting the Ecuadorian soil. Required fields are marked *. The most celebrated Ecuadorian festivals and holidays during the first two months of the year are: Pillaro Diablada - January 1st-6th: The popular festival known as Pillaro Diablada is celebrated in the province of Tungurahua at the beginning of the year. All of this usually takes place around 12am on December 31, followed by dancing and merry-making of ringing in a brand new year. Inti Raymi is also a great opportunity to try some traditional food and beverages such as chicha de jora (corn beer). This effigy made from newspaper, sawdust and cardboard represent political figures, personalities or even loved ones. The indigenous community celebrates the Corpus Christi - June The foods and drinks of Festa Junina include Steamed Cassava and Sweet Potato with Molasses, Sweet Corn Cake, and Portuguese Green Soup. The town of Cotacachi and nearby villages come alive with week-long festivities that include street parades, song recitations, dance performances, and whatnot. This colossus is located in the center of the Avenue of the Volcanoes and was recognized as the most beautiful and perfectly shaped mountain of Ambubachi Mela. With an abundance of natural beauty and cultural wealth, Ecuador is easily one of the best South American destinations to visit. Additional characters include the Veronicas, women with their faces covered in veils who walk alongside Jesus. You dont have to be an Ecuadorian to burn the effigies. Dance and music as well as silence and contemplation are part of the ceremonies that take place in hills. Musicians, dancers, and bands are all a part of this grand theatrical celebration, which concludes with an appearance of Mama Negra on horseback. Payment Center However, experiencing the true local vibe at these festivals is quite something in itself. RELATED: TAKE A LOOK AT THESE FULL DAY AND HALF DAY TRIPS IN AND FROM QUITO, 4. Celebrated on June 21, this day the sun is closer to the earth, making the day shorter and the night longer. The burning of el Ao Viejo (New Years Eve) on December 31st. Domingo de Pascua o Resureccion. The date of this celebration varies each year, as it depends on the ecclesiastical lunar calendar, and can take place between the 22nd of March and the 25th of April. You can spend the night in some of the best places to stay in Ecuador, including hotels and vacation rentals. Locals create life-sized Ao Viejo figures (Old Year effigy dolls) and burn them down. Carnival occurs right before Lent, so its peoples last opportunity to have some crazy fun before the somber religious season. Designing a Quiet Experience with Gordon Hempton, An Insiders Guide to Celebrating Easter in Quito, Ecuador. Ganga Dussehra Location : Varanasi, Haridwar, Allahabad, Rishikesh, and Garhmukteshwar Date : 9th June 2022 This festival is dedicated to River Ganges. On January 6th of The Paseo del Chagra takes place in the town of Machachi, in the Cotopaxi province, and consists of parades with horses, bulls, Andean music bands, dances and a Submerging into a rich cultural tradition is probably one of the best ways to get to know the country and its people. This wonderful celebration is performed in the esplanade of Sacsayhuaman every June during the celebrations and aims to pay tribute to the Sun God, the supreme symbol of reverence in the Inca culture. It usually takes place six weeks prior to Easter Sunday and falls around any time between February to March. Cotopaxi, with an altitude of 5897 meters (19347 ft) is one of the highest active volcanoes of the world.