Panama’s year runs from the coffee and flower fair of Boquete and the Thousand Polleras Parade in January, through Carnival in February or March and Corpus Christi in May or June, to the folk festivals of Azuero in September.
Humpback whales pass the Pacific coast from July to October.
January
The tourism authority’s parade of the pollera, the national dress, in Las Tablas, on the second Saturday of January. It moves to the next weekend when that Saturday is January 9, Martyrs’ Day. In 2026 it was on January 17.
Official source
January
Ten to twelve days of gardens, parades and coffee tastings by the Caldera River in Boquete. The 2024 fair ran from January 11 to 21.
Official source
February or March
The four days before Ash Wednesday, all over Panama and above all in Las Tablas, where Calle Arriba and Calle Abajo compete with queens in gala polleras and meet at dawn on Ash Wednesday. In 2027 it falls on February 6 to 9, by our calculation from the date of Easter.
Official sourceMarch
The farm and trade fair of Chiriquí. In 2023 it ran from March 16 to 23.
Official sourceMarch or April
An orchid show in Boquete. In 2023 it ran from March 30 to April 9.
Official source
All year; the Pollera Congo festival in early May
The ritual and festive expressions of the Congo culture on the Caribbean coast, on the UNESCO list of intangible heritage since 2018: the little devils, the Congo queen and the water parade.
Official source
May or June
Ritual dances of devils and sawdust carpets in La Villa de Los Santos and Parita, on the UNESCO list of intangible heritage since 2021. In 2027 the main Thursday falls on May 27, by our calculation.
Official source
Whales July to October; turtles July to November
Humpback whales off the Pacific coast: the tourism board gives July to September on one page and July to October on another, with September as the best month. Boats must stay 250 m away. Turtles nest from July to November at Isla Cañas, La Marinera and Pablo Barrios.
Official source
September
One of the main folk festivals of the country, with music, dance and crafts, in Guararé. In 2026 it ran from September 19 to 28.
Official sourceSeptember
The island’s sea fair on Isla Colón. In 2023 it ran from September 13 to 17.
Official source
All year
The ruins of the first city, founded in 1519, and the walled colonial town, both UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Official source
All year
The Biomuseo, designed by Frank Gehry, has eight galleries on how the isthmus formed. The Canal Museum is in the Casco Antiguo, and the Miraflores visitor center has terraces to watch the ships, 15 minutes from downtown.
Official sourceDates come from the Tourism Authority, the Ministry of Culture and UNESCO. Where the next date is not published yet we give the month and the last confirmed dates; the 2027 dates of Carnival and Corpus Christi are our calculation from the date of Easter. Check the official source before you travel.
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