TRADITIONS AND COSTUMES OF ECUADOR

 Popular Festivities of January

January 1 - Feast of the Virgin of the Cloud: mass and procession.

From 1 to 6 January - Diablada de Píllaro

January 6 - Three Kings Day: celebrated with children's masses, carols, processions, fireworks, village bands and dances.

January 19 and 20 - Festivities of the Patron Saint Sebastian: in Cajabamaba, province of Chmborazo

January 31 - Festivities in honor of the Patron Saint John Bosco: mass, procession, popular dances.

First Sunday of January - Religious festivities in honor of the Patron Lord of Mercy, in the province of Azuay: mass, procession, popular dance.

Third Sunday of January - festivities in Honor of the Lord of Guachapala, in El Pan, province of Azuay

Popular Festivals of February

Carnival: To the rhythm of comparsa is lit in various cities, the most popular festival in Ecuador

Flower and fruit festival in Ambato

February 2: Fiesta de la Candelaria in Mira, province of Carchi

February 2: In Mira (Carchi) the feast of the Virgin of Charity is celebrated with fireworks, dances, national ball games and mad cow rodeos.

February 4: Feast of the Lord of the Earthquake, in Patate (Tungurahua)

Popular Festivals of March

Between March and April Holy Week is celebrated with processions, masses and other religious acts.

March 12 - Foundation of Portoviejo: solemn session, election of the queen, social, sports and cultural activities.

March 21 - Celebration of Christ of Good Consolation: processions, parades and popular dances.

March 31 - Cantonization of Pedernales, in the province of Manabí

Popular Festivals of April

From April 19 to 21, fairs are held at the Quinta Macají de Riobamaba

Celebration of the Lord of Good Success Riobamba, province of Chimborazo

Popular Festivals of May

The chonta: during the highest production of this Amazonian fruit

May 3: Puná, located in Guayas, celebrates the cherimoya festival with popular amusements, food, exhibition and selection of the best fruit in Puná.

May 24 : National Festival commemorating the Battle of Pichincha 1822. Parades and cultural events are held throughout the country.

Popular Festivals of June

June 21 - Inti Raymi: feast to thank the Sun God for the abundance in the crops and the Pachamama (Earth) for caring for and blessing crops.

June 24 - Fiestas de San Juan: in Otavalo (Imbabura), Tabacundo (Pichincha), Guamote (Chimborazo)

June 29 - Fiestas de San Pedro y San Pablo: in Guayas; Manta, Jaramijó and Montecristi (Manabí)

June 19 to 27 - Fiestas de Cristo Pescador in Salinas, province of Guayas

Popular Festivals of July

July 21 - Paseo del Chagra: parades of chagras dressed in zamarros, ponchos, scarves and hats

July 16 - Celebration of the day of the Virgen del Carmen: novenas, masses and processions accompanied by the popular festival.

All month - Octavas de Juan Montalvo: hike to reach the center of Cayambe and popular dance of the mestizo.

All month - In Tungurahua, commemoration of the arrival of the Virgin of Peace, Creole rodeo, cultural weekends, artistic festivals.

Popular Festivals of August

From August 5 to 7 - Feast of the Virgin of the Snows: in Sicalpa (Chimborazo), San Gabriel (Carchi) and San Isidro (Manabí)

August 10 - First cry of independence: military parades throughout the country.

Popular Festivals of September

From September 5 to 8 - Feast of the Virgin of the Swan: the patron saint in the province of Loja, with religious ceremony, fair, dances, and more.

From 8 to 12 September - Corn and tourism festival in Sangolquí (Pichincha)

From 20 to 26 September - International Banana Fair in the province of El Oro

From September 24 to 28 - Fiestas de los Lagos: in Ibarra it is celebrated with parades, folkloric dances, car races around the Yahuarcocha lagoon

Mama negra: homage to the Virgen de la Merced as a demonstration of gratitude for the favors granted

Yamor: party dedicated to this sacred drink that is made with corn

Popular Festivals of October

October 12 - Rodeo Montuvio: popular festivals accompanied by a lot of color, where riders parade and compete, distinguished men, with their typical costumes that have the essential straw hat

Fox hunt: popular festival chases a character in disguise.

Popular Festivals of November

November 2 - Commemoration of the Day of the Dead: Entire families attend the cemetery to honor their dead.

November 3 - Independence of Cuenca: processions, exhibitions, dances and other cultural events.

November 21 - Day of the Virgin of El Quinche:

religious ceremonies, trade fair and the well-known pilgrimage of devotees from different sectors of Quito to this parish

First week of November - Mama negra: homage to the Virgen de la Merced as a demonstration of gratitude for the favors granted

Popular Festivals of December

December 6 - Foundation of Quito: parades, dances, concerts and more cultural activities

December 21 - Kayak Raymi: teen initiation or maturity party

December 31 - Old Year: making puppets or dolls that represent the year that is about to end or a significant character of the year.