The most recognizable celebration of la Fiesta de Candelaria (Candlemas) is held in Peru, but there’s good news for travelers and Spanish learners of all levels: Candlearia is celebrated across Spain and Latin America, giving you ample opportunity to join in on the fun!
Choose either the warm Spanish island of Tenerife to the shores of Lake Titicaca in Peru or Bolivia. Or, take part in a big city celebration in Mexico City. There’s even a parade on the water in Tlacotalpan!
Whatever your location, you’ll join the devoted (it is a holiday with Catholic origins after all) and tourists alike in experiencing this unique blend of traditions, cultures, and religions. Every region has its own twist on the celebration, from unique music to can’t-miss street foods.
Below, we’ll take a look at the origins of the holiday and dive into festival details.
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What is la Fiesta de la Candelaria?
The celebration of La Fiesta de la Candelaria goes by many names. Among them are:
- Candlemas
- Feast of the Presentation of the Lord/Jesus Christ
- Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary
- La Chandeleur or Crêpe Day (French-speaking locations)
- Lostag (Germany)
- Feast of Lights
It is one of the oldest feasts or celebration days in the history of the Catholic church, with writings referencing commemorations of the day going back to the year 380. In modern day celebrations, you’ll experience a blend of Catholic tradition and devotion with the cultural heritage of local indigenous cultures as well as markers of the agricultural year.
In Catholic tradition, this day commemorates the day that the infant Jesus was first brought to the temple. On that day, his mother came to complete the ritual of purification that was required of women 40 days after giving birth to a baby boy. This is a day for many pilgrims to visit sacred sites, go to mass, spectate a procession of an image or statue of the Virgin of Candelaria, ask for a blessing of their work or travel, and show reverence.
It is also a time filled with music, dance, folklore, costumes, lights, feasting, and family. The specific traditions and celebrations vary depending on the location and region, but the most popular events that draw tourists from around the world include:
- Parades and processions
- Folkloric dance
- Marching bands
- Dance contests
- Showcases of cultural heritage
- Displays of peace and mutual respect
- Regional foods
- Unique souvenirs
While the most well-known celebrations welcome interested travelers, it is a day that also unites family groups worldwide as they pass down long held traditions.
When is la Fiesta de la Candelaria?
February 2 is the main day of the celebration. It takes place exactly 40 days after Christmas (December 25).
This date marks the conclusion of the Christmas/Epiphany season, and is a day that many families and churches take down their Nativity scenes, Christmas decorations, and bring their candles to their church to be used for the rest of the year.
This date also marks the midway point between the winter and spring solstice, and in many regions is an indicator of better weather to come. The day’s emphasis is on the renewal of the agricultural year, when workers will begin preparing the land for planting.
Think of it like Groundhog Day in the United States—weather prediction plays a large part on this day. A old poem reads:
“If Candlemas be fair and bright, Then Winter will have another flight; If Candlemas brings clouds and rain, Winter will not come not again.”
While February 2 is the main day of the celebration, Festival de Candelaria preparations begin long before this day, and activities often extend several days on either end. If you’re planning to travel for the main event, consider arriving a few days early to get acclimated and enjoy the excitement that leads up to the big day!
Celebrations in Spain, Latin America, and beyond
Spain
On the Spanish Canary Islands, Candelaria is an exceptionally significant holiday. Located off the Northwest coast of Africa, these islands have long named their patron saint as the “Virgin of Candelaria,” one of many names for the Virgin Mary. Though local Guanche people first referred to her as the goddess Chaxiraxi, Catholic colonists later shifted her identity.
Legend has it that a statue of this saint washed up on the beaches in the 1300s, where local cattle herders discovered her and noted that no one was able to do any harm to the statue. Locals actors are known to reenact this experience during the Candelaria festival!
The Basilica of Candelaria, the main shrine of the Virgin of Candelaria, is especially popular with visitors. Mary, in a purple and gold robe adorned with flowers, is holding the infant Jesus in one arm and a candle in the other. Families of young children, particularly those born within the past year, bring them to the church to be presented to her, in memory of the baby Jesus being presented at the temple for the first time.
During the festival, you’re welcome to watch from outside the church as the statue is carried out of the Basilica and into the streets to be venerated, accompanied by bands and parades.
The celebrations on February 2 tend to be more religious in nature, but the islands again celebrate the Virgin of Candelaria on August 15 with dancing, food, drink, and bonfires. This celebration extends throughout mainland Spain since it is also a public holiday.
Within celebrations in Spain, you can expect:
- Mock bullfights
- Drinking sangria
- Parades and music
- Horses with riders carrying torches
- Simple candlelit parades or mass
- Reenactments of the biblical stories
- Parades with devil costumes
- Bonfires
Peru
In 2014, UNESCO named the Candelaria celebration in Puno, Peru as an “Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.” Translation: If you want a deeper understanding of Peruvian culture, Candelaria is the perfect place to start.
A trip to Puno is well worth the journey, as the celebrations that extend through the first two weeks of February are considered one of Peru’s largest cultural festivals. It is one of the top three largest celebrations on the continent (along with Carnaval in Brazil and Bolivia)!
Getting there
The Virgin of Candelaria is the patron saint of the city of Puno, where the main celebration is held. You can get there by plane, but as this is one of the most popular festivals, drawing thousands of visitors every year, a flight will be costly. Book in advance! You might consider flying into Cuzco and taking a bus the rest of the way. The six hour bus trip will feel like a blink as you marvel at the views of the Andes mountains.
Puno is located on the shores of the world’s highest navigable lake, Lake Titicaca. The altitude is something of an experience if you’re not used to the thin air. It is a great idea to arrive a few days early if you can, giving yourself time to rest and get acclimatized. Drink plenty of water, too!
Pack layers of clothing, as you really don’t know whether it will be strong sunshine or bone-chilling rain. Most of the events are outdoors and not all seats are covered, so it’s good to be prepared!
Festivities
Music, dance, and traditional costume are central to the festivities of Candelaria! The phrase “you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all” could not be less applicable to this celebration! Groups representing myriad cultural traditions come together from all over the region to participate in parades, processions, and dance competitions. Each group is unique and phenomenal!
It’s a feast for the eyes, even before the dances begin. There’s costumes and clothing of every color, most with elaborate masks and headpieces or braids and bowler hats. With all the movement and dancing, it might take you a while to realize what they’re made out of: everything from feathers and fur to beads and embroidery.
Appreciate the commitment and preparation of the dancers, as not only do the participants wake in the wee hours of the morning to start doing hair, makeup, and costume, but they’ve likely been preparing and rehearsing since the previous March.
Everything you’ll see has a cultural and historical significance to the group involved. You will learn more about the cultural traditions of the Quechua and Aymara people, as well as those from Altiplano. These celebrations have brought hundreds of communities together, allowing them to build bridges of mutual respect and commonality.
In all, you’ll be entertained and amazed by the hard work of over 40,000 dancers, 15,000 musicians, and 25,000 additional participants across clothing, choreography, and music. Dancing, singing, chants, and folkloric music continue from morning until night, through the streets and in plazas.
On display is a fusion of cultures and influences that have characterized this region, from the Pre Columbian traditions of honoring Pachamama (Mother Earth) to the veneration of the Virgin Mary. While you take it all in, don’t pass up the chance to sample delicious street foods and snacks, sold by vendors with carts or on foot.
Bolivia
Across the border in the city of Copacabana, also located on shores of Lake Titicaca, you’ll find another huge celebration of La Festival de Candelaria.
You’ll find many of the same festivities as in neighboring Peru. Amidst the solemnity of mass and religious processions, there are plenty of lively parades, bands, and incredible floral displays to take in.
The blessing of the boats
Catch a view of, or even take a short voyage in, the boat procession that carries the statue of the Virgin of Candelaria every year.*
History says that in 1576 Inca fishermen were caught in a storm on Lake Titicaca. The Virgin appeared to them and guided them to safety. They built a shrine here in honor of her help. It is now a longstanding tradition to gather with boats, cars, and other modes of transportation to pray to the Virgin and ask for the blessing of safe travels. Be sure to pay her a visit before your return trip!
*Note: This is a copy of the statue. To preserve the original, caretakers ensure that it stays in the sanctuary.
Oruro
Candelaria is held in the same month as Carnaval de Oruro, which is one of the other top three cultural festivals of South America. If they overlap, you could try to experience both! Fortunately, even when the dates are spread out, you might find a nearly constant state of celebration in the country. If you do travel to Oruro, visit the monument to the Virgen Candelaria there which is 45 meters tall and weighs over 1500 tons!
Souvenirs
Shop for local artisanías (handmade crafts) alongside many of the festivities. You’ll find an assortment of woven textiles, knit hats, handmade instruments, clay bowls, and other handmade goods from the Andes region.
You might be slightly early for the fresh peach harvest, but there are sure to be some jams and juices available. Check your local regulations for products that are allowed to travel home with you!
Travel tips
As with Peru, you will experience high altitude, so plan to arrive a few days early if you can to make the most of your experience and avoid sickness. Drink plenty of water, pack layers to be prepared for a range of temperature and precipitation, including sun protection!
Mexico
La Festival de Candelaria is celebrated throughout the country. There are many regional variations and customs may differ across cities, but Mexican traditions can be somewhat distinct from their neighbors to the South. Mixing Aztec tradition with the customs brought from Spain during colonial times, Candlemas in Mexico is an unforgettable experience!
Like other regional celebrations, you’ll find a balance of candlelit, solemn celebrations and upbeat parades.
Sawdust carpets
Alfombras de aserrín (carpets of sawdust) are a beautiful tradition of ephemeral street art. Using vibrantly colored sawdust, as well as other organic materials such as petals, colored earth, or pine needles, artists use stencils and spray bottles of water to create gorgeous designs on the ground. These can even be pathways that extend through parts of a town.
Family traditions
If you’re fortunate enough to get an invite to a private celebration of La Festival de Candelaria with a Mexican family, you might get a plateful of tamales. Stemming from Aztec tradition, these are made with masa (a corn-based dough), filled with meat, beans, vegetables, or cheese. The mixture is wrapped in corn husks or banana leaves and then steamed.
Some of these gatherings are organized on January 6, El Día de Reyes (Three Kings Day), where guests at a private get-together will share a Rosca de Reyes (Three Kings Bread) which is decorated like a crown. Within the crown is hidden one or more plastic babies or uncooked beans, meant to symbolize the Niño Jesus. The guests who discover the hidden baby are then in charge of hosting the party on Candelaria and making the tamales. Since ingredients can be expensive and it is a time consuming labor of love, the task can also be shared between multiple family members.
The person (or people) who find the baby are also named the padrino (godparent) of the baby, and are in charge of dressing up a doll or corn husk in its finest clothing to present at the church on Candelaria.
Muñecos del Niño Jesús
If you’re looking for a meaningful souvenir as well as an activity, you can visit a vendor selling a muñeco (doll) of niño dios/Jesús (baby Jesus). These range from ornaments that can fit in your palm to life-sized dolls or larger. There are many variations, as well as richly decorated clothing choices, and other features that make these a popular collectible. Some people might buy one every year or to represent different memories made during the holiday season.
In Mexico City, you can visit El Corredor de Niño Dios, which is a long side street filled with vendors who sell these dolls and their clothes.
Chile
Chile has a wide variety of celebrations from the North to the South!
In the Atacama region, Copiapó city is host to the largest celebration. You’ll find many of the same types of religious and cultural activities, as in celebrations in Peru and Bolivia. Around 200,000 people come to the temple in the South of the city to pay their respects, and around 70 dance groups participate.
This celebration lasts around 12 days, nine of which are devoted to prayer, and three for feasting and celebration. There are special services and prayers, a procession, and songs. There is a large focus on prayers for healing and for specific professions.
The largest celebration in the South of the country is in Carelmapu. Divers accompany the statue of the Virgin Mary in procession to ask for her protection and a safe return home. Around 30,000 faithful believers gather here each year.
Costa Rica
As in Mexico, La Festival de Candelaria is characterized by days of prayer as well as the blessing of the candles and a procession in the streets. There is also a Turno (street festival) with food stands, parades, bingo games, rides, and cultural presentations such as El Festival de la Canción (Festival of Song). This celebration is an important one for families, and marks the end of the Christmas season.
Cuba
The Virgin of Candelaria is the patron saint of Cuba. The associated celebrations have stood the test of time and historical change in Cuba. Some old traditions that are followed here include:
- Trimming your hair (to promote health and growth)
- Pruning plants (for the same reason)
- Blessing the candles at church
While Christmas and associated traditions were banned in Cuba for many years under Fidel Castro, the celebrations went from enthusiastic to silent but still remembered. Recently the island returned to the traditional processions and some of the celebration activities, but those who remember what it was like before that time period recall a bygone time with some of the most amazing parties, orchestras, bull fights, and festivities.
Travel to Cuba is still complicated for those from the United States, but for those who are able to travel there, you will discover a fusion of:
- Afro-Cuban traditions
- Reverence of a Yoruba deity, Orisha Ochún, associated with love, fertility, and rivers
- Traditions associated with Santería (a pantheistic Afro-Cuban religion based in Yoruba beliefs with Catholicism mixed in.)
El Salvador
As a traveler to El Salvador, you will find many similarities to the celebrations and devotion surrounding this holiday, as the Virgin of Candelaria is the patron saint of Jucuarán. Perhaps there will not be quite the excitement or sheer size of the celebrations of Peru and Bolivia, but you may find pilgrimage activities and celebrations as the pious show reverence to an image of the Saint that washed up on the beach. These celebrations begin around the 21st of January.
And beyond!
If you have a basic understanding of Spanish and you’re willing to learn with an open mind, you can experience Candelaria in nearly any Spanish-speaking location. Because the holiday has Catholic origins, you’ll find notable celebrations (typically more solemn) across Europe as well, from France to Germany.
Spanish vocabulary to know for la Fiesta de Candelaria
| Spanish | English |
| andino/andina | from the andes mountains |
| autóctono, autóctona | indigenous, native, autochthonous |
| el atole | a cornflour drink popular in mexico and central america |
| el concurso | the contest |
| el muñeco | the doll |
| el nacimiento | the birth / the nativity scene |
| el niño dios / el niño jesús | the baby jesus |
| el patrimonio | heritage |
| el turno | in costa rica, a street festival |
| el vestuario | the wardrobe/costumes |
| la basilica | the basilica |
| la danza | the dance |
| la fiesta | the party |
| la iglesia | the church |
| la misa | Catholic mass |
| la veneración | devotion |
| la virgen | the (blessed or holy) virgin |
| las novenas | prayers |
| los ensayos | rehearsals |
| los tamales | corn based dough filled with meat or vegetables and steamed inside a leaf |
Learn more about Spanish-speaking countries with Rosetta Stone
Las Fiestas de la Candelaria is a window into Spain and Latin America’s wider culture. Catholicism is, of course, a focal point of Spanish and Latin American culture, but celebration, community, and passing tradition down through the generations are wonderful narrative ties that all can appreciate.
We’ve really only scratched the surface of the variety of ways that Candelaria can be experienced. We recommend checking it out for yourself! The rituals and traditions are distinct in each part of the world but tied together by common history. With so many elements unique to each region’s celebration, there are enough February trips to keep you interested for years to come!
The richness of world cultures can leave us curious, impressed, intrigued, and moved to an extent that goes beyond the boundaries of language. Build deeper connections to the cultures that inspire you. Rosetta Stone offers multiple entry points into an unfamiliar culture, with immersive, bite-sized lessons that help you learn language and expand your cultural knowledge. You’ll even have the opportunity to refine your pronunciation in every lesson with TruAccent!
Written by Jamie Edwards
Jamie is a learner and teacher of Spanish and French. When she’s not learning new words, you’ll find her on the soccer sidelines, ski slopes, and track and field bleachers enjoying the four seasons of Western New York.
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