Author: Sarah Hackman
The Christmas season has officially begun in Costa Rica! Although lights, nativity scenes, Christmas tress, and other decorations have been slowly going up in cities and towns around the country for some time now, for Costa Ricans, the season officially commences with the annual Festival de la Luz (Festival of Light) in the capital city of San Jose. The highly anticipated festival took place this year on Saturday, December 12. Families began gathering in the streets of San Jose’s center in the early afternoon to get a spot with a good view of the festivities. The evening began with a dazzling fireworks show and a performance by Latin American Idol’s runner up, Costa Rican Eduardo Aguirre. Eight floats, ten bands, and twenty cheer leading groups paraded with lively music and colorful costumes through San Jose’s Paseo Colon and Avenida Segundo. There was also a special tribute to the National Under-20 men’s soccer team who finished fourth in the World Cup this year. Those in attendance enjoyed welcoming in the Christmas season, which does not officially end until Sunday January 3, with neighbors and friends.
