Patron Saint List
Contributed by: Jo Anne González
Translated by: Evan Bailyn
The patron saint festivals are festivals in homor of the patron saint of each municipality. Each of the 78 municipalities celebrate for ten days. These festivals, of Christian origin, are meant for prayer and devotion of each town to a specific saint or virgin.
The festivals generally start with a religeous celebration in the town's principal church. After the religeous ceremony ends, the town festival begins. In these festivals, there is large amounts of typical food, drink, music, betting games, exhibitions and sales of handicrafts typical of the town or that region. These are all available at kiosks that are specially decorated in a style related to what the kiosk is presenting.
Generally, during these days, the town elects a King and Queen, who are crowned in a public ceremony. That day, civic, social and religeous groups present specially prepared parade floats that reflect the a common theme for the festival.
There is also a day to celebrate the return of natives of the town. This is the festival of the "absentees" and a great opportunity to maintain contact with similar citizens that no longer reside in that town.
During the week days, the festival starts in the early afternoons. But on the days during the weekend, the festival is celebrated during the day and through to the night. Many times, towns that share the same patron saint, celebrate their festivals on the same day. The date of festival celebrations correspond to the saint's birthday on the calendar of the Roman Catholic church.
In Puerto Rico, 85% of the population is a member of the Roman Catholic church, but the festivals are enjoyed by all, including those with other religeous beliefs.
Town | Patron Saint | Date |
Aguas Buenas | Los Santos Reyes | January 6 |
Corozal | La Sagrada Familia | January 9 |
Añasco | San Antonio Abad | January 17 |
San Sebastián | San Sebastián | January 20 |
Coamo | La Virgen la Canlaria | Febuary 2 |
Lajas | La Virgen la Canlaria | Febuary 2 |
Mayagüez | La Virgen la Canlaria | Febuary 2 |
Manatí | La Virgen la Canlaria | Febuary 2 |
Loiza | San Patricio | March 17 |
Ciales | San José | March 19 |
Gurabo | San José | March 19 |
Lares | San José | March 19 |
Luquillo | San José | March 19 |
Peñuelas | San José | March 19 |
Patillas | San Benito | March 3 |
Guaynabo | San Pedro Mártir | April 29 |
Arecibo | Apostol San Felipe | May 1 |
Bayamón | La Santa Cruz | May 3 |
Trujillo Alto | La Santa Cruz | May 3 |
Maunabo | San Isidro | May 15 |
Sábana Gran | San Isidro | May 15 |
Carolina | San Fernando | May 30 |
Toa Alta | San Fernando | May 30 |
Barranquitas | San Antonio Padua | June 13 |
Ceiba | San Antonio Padua | June 13 |
Dorado | San Antonio Padua | June 13 |
Guayama | San Antonio Padua | June 13 |
Isabela | San Antonio Padua | June 13 |
Maricao | San Juan Bautista | June 24 |
Orocovis | San Juan Bautista | June 24 |
San Juan | San Juan Bautista | June 24 |
Toa Baja | San Pedro Apóstol | June 30 |
Arroyo | Virgen l Carmen | July 16 |
Barceloneta | Virgen l Carmen | July 16 |
Cataño | Virgen l Carmen | July 16 |
Cidra | Virgen l Carmen | July 16 |
Culebra | Virgen l Carmen | July 16 |
Hatillo | Virgen l Carmen | July 16 |
Morovis | Virgen l Carmen | July 16 |
Rio Gran | Virgen l Carmen | July 16 |
Villalba | Virgen l Carmen | July 16 |
Aibonito | Santiago Apostol | July 25 |
Fajardo | Santiago Apostol | July 25 |
Guánica | Santiago Apostol | July 25 |
Santa Isabel | Santiago Apostol | July 25 |
San German | San German | July 31 |
Comerío | El Santo Cristo la Salud | August 6 |
San Lorenzo | San Lorenzo | August 10 |
Cayey | Nuestra Sra. la Asunción | August 15 |
Adjuntas | San Joaquín y Santa Ana | August 21 |
Rincón | Santa Rosa Lima | August 30 |
Juana Díaz | San Ramón Nonato | August 31 |
Hormigueros | Nuestra Sra. Monserrate | September 8 |
Jayuya | Nuestra Sra. Monserrate | September 8 |
Moca | Nuestra Sra. Monserrate | September 8 |
Salinas | Nuestra Sra. Monserrate | September 8 |
Cabo Rojo | San Miguel Arcángel | September 29 |
Utuado | San Miguel Arcángel | September 29 |
Naranjito | San Miguel Arcángel | September 29 |
Yabucoa | Los Angeles Custodios | October 2 |
Aguada | San Francisco Asís | October 4 |
Naguabo | Nuestra Sra. l Rosario | October 4 |
Vega Baja | Nuestra Sra. l Rosario | October 4 |
Yauco | Nuestra Sra. l Rosario | October 4 |
Canovanas | Virgen l Pilar | October 12 |
Rio Piedras | Virgen l Pilar | October 12 |
Quebradillas | San Rafael Arcangel | October 24 |
Aguadilla | San Carlos Barromero | November 4 |
Guayanilla | La Inmaculada Concepción María | December 8 |
Humacao | La Inmaculada Concepción María | December 8 |
Las Marías | La Inmaculada Concepción María | December 8 |
Juncos | La Inmaculada Concepción María | December 8 |
Vieques | La Inmaculada Concepción María | December 8 |
Vega Alta | La Inmaculada Concepción María | December 8 |
Ponce | Nuestra Sra. la Guadalupe | December 12 |