With an abundance of natural beauty and cultural wealth, Ecuador is easily one of the best South American destinations to visit. On its west is the Pacific Ocean, and it was once home to the pre-Columbian Inca Empire. You can spend the night in some of the best places to stay in Ecuador, including hotels and vacation rentals. While around, you can either hike through the magnificent Andes Mountains or trail through the lush Amazon rainforests. You can also explore quaint little villages or luxuriate along shimmery beaches. If this leaves you with enough time, what will also be worth your while is attending one of the many festivals hosted in the country. They present a brilliant insight into the country’s history, culture, and warmth that you’ll surely enjoy. Scroll down for the most popular festivals in Ecuador.
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1. Semana Santa (Holy Week)
Semana Santa is easily one of Ecuador’s largest religious festivals, considering more than 90% of the country’s population is Roman Catholic. It is held to honour the life and works of Jesus Christ. There will be week-long celebrations that take place from March to April (dates vary due to the lunar calendar). The peak of the festival is on Good Friday and Easter Sunday, when hordes of locals participate in street parades, festivities, and fairs. The traditional Ecuadorian fanesca (Lenten chowder) sells like hot-cakes during this time, so do give it a try. Although Semana Santa is celebrated across the country, religious parades in the capital city Quito, especially on Good Friday, are quite something in themselves.
Semana Santa
Takes place: March to April
2. La Diablada de Píllaro (The Devils of Píllaro)
Ecuador’s Píllaro city (near Baños city) rings in the new year in a rather unique manner by hosting La Diablada de Píllaro that takes place from January 1 until January 6. This Ecuador festival’s origins remain unknown, but folklore connects it to indigenous uprisings across several centuries. During the festival, locals dress up as imps and other representational characters and parade on city streets for vivacious and energetic performances complete with song and dance. While you may see small performances here and there, head to Píllaro’s central park for some of the best acts. The energy and spirits of these performers are every bit infectious!
La Diablada de Píllaro
Address: Píllaro, Ecuador
Takes place: January
3. Fiestas de Quito (Quito Festivities)
A series of week-long celebrations in Ecuador known as Fiestas de Quito kicks off in the capital city Quito during the last week of November until December 6. It is held to celebrate the founding of the city in 1960 and it is done in full fervour by spirited flamenco performances, bullfighting, opera shows, theatre performances, exhibitions, games, and lots of other activities. Chiva party buses run through the entire city and each neighbourhood puts up its own open-air music and dance shows, turning Quito into a giant discotheque! Cuarenta, a typically Ecuadorian card game, is also enjoyed by many during this time. Head on to Quito’s historic city centre, which is the hub of all the activities during the festival.
Fiestas de Quito
Address: Quito, Ecuador
Takes place: November to December
4. Corpus Christi
A largely popular religious festival, Corpus Christi is a time when Catholics celebrate and honour the body and blood of Jesus Christ. An exuberant display of fireworks the night before the main festival signals the beginning of a day-long series of revelries. The main day begins with a Mass at the church, followed by a procession. Both of these include folk dancers, performers, and singers, making the atmosphere more like a large religious party than a serious affair. Corpus Christi usually takes place on the ninth Thursday after Easter Sunday, so if lucky, you may get to attend it along with Inti Raymi celebrations in June. You can take part in the celebrations anywhere in the country, but those in the towns of Pujilí and Cuenca are the most popular ones.
Corpus Christi
Takes place: June
5. The Yamor Festival (Corn Festival)
Held in the city of Otavalo, the Yamor Festival sees a cultural conglomeration of people from the Imbabura region. They gather to celebrate and pray to the Virgin Mary of Monserrat and indigenous goddess Pachamama for the fertility of the soil and a good harvest. Locals don traditional outfits and put up lively song-and-dance performances, processions, and food fairs that mainly sell traditional foods and beverages. Don’t forget to try the traditional chicha de yamor (fermented corn drink). Wooden cart racing, cockfighting, mock bullfighting, and lake swimming are some of the other highlights of this cultural event in Ecuador. Head to Otavalo in the first two weeks of September to experience the best of religion and culture coming together.
The Yamor Festival
Address: Otavalo, Ecuador
Takes place: September
6. Año Viejo (New Year Celebrations)
While popular culture associations take us to dancing, drinking, watching fireworks, and partying, Ecuador has its very own way of celebrating New Years’ Day. Locals create life-sized Año Viejo figures (Old Year effigy dolls) and burn them down. These effigies may be of any person or figure one dislikes. A handwritten note, explaining the reason behind the dislike, is pinned to the effigies as you set fire to them. Some truly passionate people even stomp on the burning pile for effect. Don’t forget to take caution though. All of this usually takes place around 12am on December 31, followed by dancing and merry-making of ringing in a brand new year. You don’t have to be an Ecuadorian to burn the effigies. 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.
Año Viejo
Takes place: December 31
7. Ecuadorian Mardi Gras
The celebration of Ecuadorian Mardi Gras celebrations finds its roots in Christianity as attendees remember, honour, and celebrate Jesus Christ. It usually takes place six weeks prior to Easter Sunday and falls around any time between February to March. During this festival, you’ll notice locals offering coloured flour, flowers, and water (or sometimes foam) to honour the second moon of the year and to add a dash of fun to the festivities. Parades, carnival revelries, food fairs, musical performances, and a whole lot of energy takes over the country as people gather to celebrate Ecuadorian Mardi Gras. Head to Guaranda and Ambato cities for the best carnival experience. It’s good to remember that anyone participating or attending the festival can become a victim of the coloured flour and water (or foam), so go prepared and protect any electronics (camera, mobile phone, etc.) that you may be carrying.
Ecuadorian Mardi Gras
Takes place: February
8. Mama Negra Festivities
Ecuadorian town Latacunga comes alive with Mama Negra Festivities that take place twice in a year – once towards around September 23 to 24, and once around Latacunga’s Independence Day on November 11. 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. Virgin of Mercy was then invoked by the area’s local inhabitants to lay mercy on the slaves, making this a religious-cum-cultural festival – a blend of Ecuador’s indigenous, African, and Spanish cultures. Ever since, locals dress up in flamboyant attire and take to the streets to put up zestful performances, acts, and parades. Extravagant fireworks displays at night add a notch of awesome to this brilliant Ecuadorian holiday tradition. However, remember that you may encounter some alcohol-fuelled excess if venturing out late at night.
Mama Negra Festivities
Address: Latacunga, Ecuador
Takes place: September & November
9. Día de la Raza (Day of Interculturality and Plurinationality)
October 12 commemorates a special moment in American history – the day explorer Christopher Columbus discovered America in the 15th century. This day was called Columbus Day, or Day of the discovery of America until 2011 when the country changed it to Día de la Raza (Day of Interculturality and Plurinationality) to celebrate the country’s cultural plurality and conglomeration of several native and foreign cultures. On this day, locals put up high-spirited performances, entertainment shows, and parades that are truly a sight to behold. Día de la Raza is the perfect day to get a sense of Ecuador’s patriotism and unity so try attending it if you can.
Día de la Raza
Takes place: October
10. Inti Raymi (Festival of the Sun)
Celebrated to honour Incan sun god Inti, Inti Raymi is an excellent festival for visitors who want to learn more about the ancient Inca Empire. The town of Cotacachi and nearby villages come alive with week-long festivities that include street parades, song recitations, dance performances, and whatnot. Locals don black pointed hats and wear goatskin chaps to elevate the overall traditional vibe. Inti Raymi is also a great opportunity to try some traditional food and beverages such as chicha de jora (corn beer). The festival usually takes place for a week, from June 21 onwards, during the summer solstice.
Inti Raymi
Address: Cotacachi, Ecuador
Takes place: June
Boundless fun and festivities
Backpacking through Ecuador is a mighty rewarding experience as it features fantastic things to do and places to visit. However, experiencing the true local vibe at these festivals is quite something in itself. While we’ve listed the most popular festivals in Ecuador, smaller ones take place in several parts of the country every week. So, regardless of the time of the year you visit, there’s always a festival you can participate in and enjoy.
History
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