Events
Get ready for "Carnavales"
Almost every town and city in the republic will have a Carnival celebration of some kind beginning the weekend of Saturday, February 13. This pre-Lenten celebration is a "celebration of the flesh", as the root of the name "Carnavales" implies. In Panama, the party gets started on Friday night and lasts through the night on Tuesday.
Some people opt to get away from the noisy festivities while many others flock to them. So whether you are escaping to a beach or mountain resort or seeking out the ideal spot to "carnavalear", here is a guide to what each corner of the republic holds during this very special celebration.
Panama City: The Mayor's office confirmed that there will be a Carnival celebration in Panama City this year, following much debate on whether it would even take place due to lack of funding. The route for the big traditional city parade and surrounding areas for live music performances has not yet been defined.
Las Tablas: The biggest countryside celebration. Two competing queens representing "Calle Arriba" and "Calle Abajo" are the center of attention as the two opposing camps compete to put on a better show before a grand multitude. Big floats, grand costumes and lots of production and fireworks.
Chitré: The "culeco" (dousing of water on revelers from a cistern through a fire hose during the heat of the day) lasts until 4:00 p.m. in this city near Las Tablas, which attracts many youngsters. Friday starts with a popular midnight Culeco,
Penonomé: The only Carnaval on the water! The River Zaratí hosts aquatic floats on Saturday. The queen's float is actually a boat!
La Chorrera and Arraiján: These Panama City suburbs have grown in leaps and bounds in recent years, and so have their Carnival celebrations.
Aguadulce, La Villa de Los Santos and Pedasí: These are towns with smaller, more intimate Carnival celebrations that may prove more enjoyable than the larger ones for those seeking a closer look without getting swept up in the madness.
Ocú: This town has three competing calles: Calle Arriba, Calle Abajo and Calle en el Medio (middle street). Queens are selected on the spot between groups of people who go from house to house singing with "tambores" (drums), "cantalantes" (traditional singers) and "baile foloklorico" (traditional dancing). In each house they visit, they eat, drink and celebrate.
Bocas del Toro: Even Bocas Town has a Carnival celebration, special and unique to this Caribbean province.
Dolega: Dolega is located in the Chiriqui province between David and Boquete and is considered the best place to celebrate the Carnival in this province.
Darien: Small celebrations take place in the townships of this eastern province.
Colón: Celebrating Carnival in the city of Colón is not recommended because it is not safe. There is, however, quite a big Carnival there.
Country Fairs
Panama’s fairs and festivals are colorful and lively. Country-folk are friendly and welcoming so they are excellent venues for visitors to get a taste of the ‘real’ Panama. See the schedule which follows.
Febrero 13-16 Carnavales
Febrero 13 y 14 XXIX Gran Feria Antillana Fiestas Patronales
Febrero 14 Virgen de Lourdes Guararé
Febrero 24 a 1 marzo Feria de Veraguas en Soná
Marzo 4-7 Feria en Darién Santa Fe
Marzo 4-7 Feria del Valle Tonosí, Los Santos
Marzo 8-18 Feria Colón
Marzo 11-21 Feria Internacional de san José, David
Marzo 17-21 Feria de San Jose de Tolé, Chiriquí
Marzo 17-21 Feria de Expocosta de Nuevo Tonosí Colón
Marzo 18 Patronales de san Felipe en Portobelo
Marzo 19-21 Feria de la Chitra en Calobre, Veraguas
Abril 1-4 Feria Villa Rosario Capira
Abril 2 Viernes Santos
Abril 2 Patronales de San Francisco de Padua, río de jesús, Veraguas
Abril 22-mayo 2 Feria Intl. De Azuero
Abril 27 Fiestas Patronales de Nombre de Dios Colón
Junio 3-6 Festival de Corpus Cristi Villa de Los Santos
Julio 15-22 Festival de la Pollera en Las Tablas
Agosto 12-15 XXXIX Festival del manito en Ocú
Septiembre 3-5 Expoferia Flor Espiritu Santo en las Minas
Septiembre 14-20 Feria Intl. Del Mar Bocas del Toro
Septiembre 23-26 Festival de la Mejorana en Guararé
Religious festivals
Every city, village and region in Panama has its own annual religious celebration dedicated to a patron saint. These festivals provide a colorful and charming way to experience local traditions and beliefs.
Febrero 19-21 Patronales Jesús Nazareno Atalaya
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Metallica at Figali in March
One of the best-selling rock groups in American history will be in concert at the Figali Convention Center on March 8 at 8:00 p.m. Metallica's "World Magnetic Tour" starts in Lima, Peru on January 19 and includes 34 concerts. Tickets to nine of the shows on the tour have already sold out.
Some tickets are still available for the Panama City show, but those who wish to attend this one-time event are advised to purchase soon. Representatives of ShowPro, organizers of the concert here, told The Visitor that tickets will likely run out in the weeks prior to the concert. Tickets start at $47 at TicketPlus locations.
Live Jazz
Live Jazz, Bossa Nova, and Salsa Tuesday Thru Sundays every week at BUCANERO’s restaurante & Taberna. Isla Flamenco, Amador. Open from 11:30a.m. till late. For Information or reservations call 314-0881 or www.bucanerospanama.com.