Holidays and Festivals in Ecuador

Festivals in Ecuador

Ecuadorians normally celebrate with parades, public dances, and very loud music, there should always be good and enough food, as well as traditional drinks. You could try for example, the delicious purple laundry that is customary to take on the day of the dead, or also try the famous sugarcane liqueur from Ecuador, known as a drink or brandy; maybe in one of these festivals or holidays you might be surprised.

These are some festivals of Ecuador of which you can take part:

• Quito’s Arts Summer
• Manteña Raft Festival
• Humpback whale festival in Puerto Lopez
• Montuvio Junín Festival
• Canoe fest
• Horse Riding Fair Los Tulipanes
• Tomorrow Rio Musical Festival
• Family Festival
• Festival of Living Cultures, Riobamba is Culture
• Sun to Sun Festival
• Quito Light Festival

Religious holidays in Ecuador

Holidays in Ecuador

In Ecuador, the holidays originate thanks to the Catholic religious calendar, in any case such holidays over time have been unified with the indigenous traditions that existed before the arrival of Spaniards. Similarly, some feasts of great importance usually celebrate the independence gained from Spanish colony with religious festivals and national celebrations.

During a parade or any event in a holiday, you should consider that most of the trade does not work and its stores are closed. Ecuadorians take their festivals and holidays seriously, because usually everyone wants to participate.

Main Holidays of Ecuador

Holy Week in Ecuador

As in many countries where the Catholic religion predominates, Holy Week is one of the largest public celebrations nationwide. The date when Easter takes place, as well as its various festivities depend on when the summer equinox arrives; that is why this celebration usually takes place between March and April.

On Palm Sunday, which occurs a week before Easter, faithful Ecuadorians of the Catholic religion march through the streets with palm leaves, until they reach Mass. In fact, this week has its own typical dish, a soup called fanesca.

Holy Thursday, Holy Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday

According to Catholic tradition, Holy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus. On Holy Thursday, Ecuadorians visit cemeteries with offerings for deceased loved ones. At night the churches open their doors, with the brightness of the altars lit by candles that reach the streets.

Holy Friday is an important day too, and Ecuadorians take to the streets to pay tribute because of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. In Quito, usually there is a big parade this day. Visitors and tourists are usually amazed at how the parade participants are dressed as they wear purple hoods, such hoods are traditionally used as a symbol of penance.
The Mass that is held on Holy Saturday is always at night, and Easter Sunday is an extremely religious celebration for Ecuadorians.

Carnival
In Ecuador, Carnival is celebrated as an attempt to eat and drink enough to stay satisfied for the subsequent period of fasting in Lent. The exact date varies from year to year, can be given in February or March, on the weekend closest to the New Moon. The Carnival has its own different traditions, such as throwing water balloons is one of the most common activities, also play with paintings and carioca.

Independence Day

General Antonio José Sucre, on May 24, 1822 defeated the Spanish colony in the Battle of Pichincha. For that reason, May 24 is an important day, the military commemorates this historic event with a great parade.

All Saints Day and All Dead Day

On the Day of All Dead, in Ecuador it is customary to visit the graves of their loved ones, they carry offerings, this adds to the Andean tradition of leaving food for the dead. What is said is that the souls of the dead return to Earth that day for only 24 hours on November 1 or 2, it is even believed that you can disturb souls if you do not leave an offering to them.

Christmas and New Year

For the worldwide Christmas Eve celebration, the way to celebrate it for Ecuadorians is to perform a special mass called the Mass of Gallo. On Christmas day, you feel the emotion in each of the Christmas events; On December 25 a parade of children known as Paseo del Niños is usually held, they disguise themselves as the characteristic characters of the nativity, and they walk through the streets with child Jesus’ statues. There are some days where parades are held prior to the New Year's holiday. One of the popular activities is burning puppets or "dolls" that represent last year, these can be popular characters from the city or the country, as well as a character from the famous movie of the year, or even a family member.

Local Festivals

The calendar of festivals in Ecuador varies according to the region, however, many parades and festivals commemorate specific events in each city, and they reflect the character of the city where they are held.

Latacunga

• Festival of the Virgin of Mercy - September 23 and 24

Guayaquil

• Guayaquil Foundation Day - July 25
• Guayaquil Independence Day - October 9
• Basin, watershed, catchment area, socket, bowl, hollow
• Corpus Christi Day - First Half of June
• Independence Day of Cuenca - November 3

Quito

• Quito Foundation Day - December 6