With music seemingly playing from every corner, it’s no surprise that Puerto Rico has plenty of music festivals and events to attend! From classical concertos to folkloric celebrations and contemporary beats, there are many opportunities and genres to dive into. If you’ve got music on the mind, here are some must-know festivals to add to your itinerary.
The Institute of Puerto Rican Culture houses an amazing collection of artwork.
La Campechada
Loosely named after famed Puerto Rican Rococo artist José Campeche, La Campechada is an all-encompassing cultural event that celebrates and honors the Island’s incredible artistic scene. Since its beginning in 2011, this week-long celebration, created by the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture (known by its Spanish acronym, ICP), recognizes different artists throughout Puerto Rico’s history. From live performances to artist showcases, academic seminars, and theatre performances, La Campechada is one experience you can’t miss if you’re a lover of music, art, and culture! The event is held in different municipalities across the Island, so every edition brings something new!
When to Attend: End of summer through fall
The Island's musical talent starts young, with various specialized musical schools, choirs, and orchestras.
Festival Casals
Named after the famous composer and creator Pablo Casals, this world-renowned classical music festival has been a mainstay in Puerto Rico since its first edition in 1957. Casals spearheaded this event for 16 years until 1973, with other talented and dedicated musicians carrying on his legacy. It’s now helmed by the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra, the Island’s powerhouse classical music institution. Since its inception over 60 years ago, it’s been internationally recognized due to the high caliber musicians it’s hosted over the years, like Yo-Yo Ma and the New York Philharmonic. Held at the Centro de Bellas Artes Luis A. Ferré, it’s a perfect opportunity to dress up and enjoy a night of the best classical music Puerto Rico has to offer.
When to Attend: End of May through the start of June
A night of dancing to Reggaetón.
Motherland Festival
Ready to feel the dembow? The Motherland Festival is where it’s at! This music festival is a newer addition but is making waves with top reggaetón talent like Young Miko, Tego Calderón, Myke Towers, and many more!
When to Attend: November
The décima is a folkloric genre rooted in Puerto Rican music and tradition.
Semana del Trovador
Listen to the passionate, comedic, and beautiful lyrics of Puerto Rico’s décima! Created by Decimanía, a nonprofit focused on preserving this beautiful Boricua tradition, it’s a beloved event that brings musicians from around Latin America and pays tribute to iconic trovadores, touring several municipalities throughout the Island. It’s an enchanting showcase, with performances from incredible musicians and children trovadores—making it a wonderful event for people of all ages!
When to Attend: Fall through Winter
Vejigantes are an essential part of Puerto Rico's festival folklore.
Fiestas Patronales: Puerto Rico’s Year-Round Music Festivals
Fiestas Patronales (Party of the Patron Saints) is one of the many ways Boricuas honor their heritage and customs. Each municipality celebrates these on the day they were founded, with ties to Catholic saints. These days, it’s a wonderful family festival filled with traditional food, amusement park rides, and, of course, live performances. It’s a great way to experience that town’s culture and enjoy the fun of a family-friendly music festival all year long.
Here are some of the most well-known Fiestas Patronales:
- Noche de San Juan: This informal holiday in June celebrates the founding of the municipality of San Juan and the baptism of San Juan Bautista (Saint John the Baptist). There’s food, drinks, and music. One of the unique ways to partake in the fun is by visiting the beach at midnight and safely jumping backward at least three times into the water—though some do seven or 12 dives to rid themselves of all negativity. It’s said to bring good luck!
When to Attend: June 23rd
- Festival Santiago el Apostol: Celebrated in Loiza, it honors this municipality’s Afro-Boricua heritage with a parade of vejigantes (a beloved masked folk character with colorful clothes), bomba music, and dancers!
When to Attend: Last weekend of July
Large, colorful puppets take to the streets at Carnaval Ponceño.
Dance Festivals That Celebrate Puerto Rican Music
Music and dance aren’t too separate from each other on the Island, so there are plenty of dance festivals held on the Island that you can visit to move to the rythm.
Puerto Rico's festivals are a great way to immerse yourself in the music and culture of the Island.
Tips for Attending a Music Festival in Puerto Rico
- Purchase Tickets Beforehand: Beyond airfare and accommodations, some of the events require ticket purchases and can sell out rather quickly. Be sure to get tickets before anything else!
- Arrive Early: Events (whether free or not) can fill up, so it’s best to get there early. Be sure to have a plan on how you will get there, be it driving, ride-share apps, or public transportation.
- Bring Cash: While more and more events accept digital forms of payment, it’s always good to have cash just in case!
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