Galapagos Islands Tourism - Annual Events in Galapagos Islands

Experience the culture of Ecuador

Of all the events and festivities celebrated in Ecuador, "El Carnival" reigns supreme. Ecuadorians take advantage of the carnival to express their carnal desires before the strict religious holiday Semana Santa (Easter week).

Most villages celebrate at least one saint. Locals enjoy themselves with generous helpings of alcohol, music, dancing and fireworks, which may resemble any Friday or Saturday night in the country.

January

• New Year's Day - Ecuadorians celebrate by stuffing dummies depicting important personalities from the previous year - and then they burn them.

February

• Día del Civismo - February 27
• Carnival - Monday and Tuesday before Lent, Ecuadorians celebrate Carnival by throwing balloons filled with water, flour or anything else that messes up their victim.

March or April

• Easter - Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday

May

• Batalla del Pichincha - Independence Day

June

• Corpus Christi - A costumed parade held throughout the country, but mostly in the highlands, every Thursday after Trinity Sunday.

August

• Primer grito de independencia - August 10

September

• Fiesta de la Mama Negra - Men dress up as black women and take to the streets to dance in processions to local music.

October

• Columbus day

November

• All Saints Day & All Souls Day - November 1 and 2 are important days for Ecuadorians. The tradition involves making bread dolls and constructing a tomb for the returning souls to visit.
• Cuenca Independence - November 3

December

• Christmas Day - December 25 - Ecuadorians celebrate this traditional holiday in the same manner as other Christians throughout the world.