2. January 1st
New Year
It’s the first day of the year and it’s celebrated in the whole world
with several rituals the night before, in order to get luck in the new
year.
January 6th
The Epiphany
Celebrates the arrival of three wise men who come from Far East to
visit infant Jesus. They gave him gold, myrrh and incense. Their
names were, Gaspar, Melchor y Baltasar.
January 15th
Teacher’s day
Every January 15th is celebrated the teacher’s day in Venezuela as a
tribute to all the educators of our country.
3. February 2nd
Candelaria’s day
February 2nd of every year is celebrated in the whole world
Candelaria’s day, patron saint of the Canary Islands. This saint is an
advocacy of virgin Mary and it’s very worshipped in Venezuela,
especially in Merida state where there are many devotees and a
chapel in her name.
February
Carnival
It’s a very popular celebration in our country, people use to take
advantage of this holiday and make trips. Many regions of Venezuela
celebrate carnival with parades, floats, troupes, music, costumes
and games.
4. March 8th
Women’s day
It’s celebrated on March 8 every year, is a celebration of respect,
appreciation and love towards women for their economic, political
and social achievements.
March or April
Holy Week
Venezuela is a country mostly catholic which is is why the Holy
Week is one of the traditional and important festivities here. The
Holy Week festivities begin on Palm Sunday a week before Easter
Sunday. Then, there are processions and via crucis during the week
to commemorate the last days of Jesus in earth. The Easter Sunday
people go to mass and make processions to celebrate Jesus
salvation
5. April 19th
Firsts steps towards Venezuela
Independence
On April 19th of 1810 was the beginning of a battle to get
Venezuela independence of the spanish rule. Vicente Emparan
was the General Captain of Venezuela, he was ruling in the name
of Spanish crown but due to some events in Spain related to
France, venezuelan aristocrats of Caracas refuse to acknowlegde
the authority of Vicente Emparan and this was a step to
Venezuela independence.
6. May 1st Labor Day
May 1st is a date to commemorate all the workers who produce
wealth to bussiness owners, companies and nations. This is a non-
working day and must be paid to all the workers.
May 3rd Cruz de Mayo Festivity
The main reason of this festivity in Venezuela is to pay tribute to
Nature for being May the beginning of the harvest season and the
rainy season. This festivity has music, traditional foods and
beverages.
7. June 13th Patronal feast of San Antonio
de Padua
Celebration in Lara state to honor the saint and thank for
the favors received and to fulfill promises made to him .
June 24th Carabobo’s Battle
On June 24th of 1821 was the Carabobo’s battle in Valencia.
This battle has been considered one of the most important
because marked the end of the spanish crown ruling over
Venezuela.
8. July 5th Declaration of Independence
This day was approved the Independence of Venezuela. Also
was writen a document which explained the motives that
produced the independence, and the statement was signed by
all the representatives.
July 24th Birth of Simon Bolivar
Simón José Antonio de la Santísima Trinidad Bolívar Palacios y
Blanco was born in Caracas, Venezuela, on July 24, 1783. He
was a soldier and a politician and liberated Venezuela from the
spanish crown.
9. August 3rd Flag National Day
On March 3rd Venezuela used to commemorate flag’s day
because this date in 1806 was raised by the first time the flag
with the three colors. After several modifications in the stars and
the emblem it became our nationald flag on July 15th, 1811. In
2006 the flag suffers another modification, adding another star.
August 6th Festivities in honor of Saint
Christ of La Grita
Venezuelan are very devoted to the Saint Christ of la Grita, it’s
celebrated on august 6th in La Grita town Tachira state, since
1610.
Every year thousands of pilgrims come from different places of
the country to La Grita to honor and fulfill promises in front of
the saint.
10. September 8th Festivity of Virgen del
Valle del Espíritu Santo
She is patroness of the east and the islands of Venezuela.
During her commemoration its made a procession all over the
town. This celebration has been made since 1955.
September 11th Virgin of Coromoto Day
Our Lady of Coromoto also known as the Virgin of Coromoto
is an apparition of the Virgin Mary to the indian chief
Coromoto. In 1942, she was declared by the catholic church
as the Patroness of Venezuela. On this day is celebrated by all
the devotees.
11. October 12th Indigenous Resistance Day
Originally was celebrated the discovery of America by
Cristobal Colon and was called Day of Race. Many years later,
was proclaimed by Hugo Chavez with this new name in order
to commemorate the resistance of the indigenous against the
conquerors.
October 24th Birth of Rafael Urdaneta
He was born on october 24th, 1788 in La Cañada, Zulia state.
He was a soldier and politician, and a Venezuela
independence hero, most loyal to Bolivar and the last
president of the Gran Colombia.
12. November 1st All Saints Day
November 1st is celebrated All Saints Day known and
unknown. In this day venezuelan families use to visit their
deceased relatives in the cemetery to clean and take flowers
to their graves.
November 18th Virgin of Chiquinquirá
Day or Chinita’s Fair
Zulian people pay tribute to our patroness during this day, the
catholic church celebrates Chiquinquira day in the Basilica of
Maracaibo.
13. December 25th Christmas Day
Christmas day is one of the most important celebrations when
the christians commemorate Jesus Christ birth on december
25th.
In Venezuela is a day for families encounters, they decorates
their houses, put a christmas tree, wear nice clothes, prepare
delicious traditional dishes of the season, bring gifts to the
children and celebrate with music like gaitas.
December 31th End of the year
Is the celebration of the ending year and the welcome to new
one. Venezuelans have a lot of traditions for this day, such as,
eating twelve grapes and make wishes, giving hugs and telling
Happy new year to their loved ones, going out to the street with
a suitcase, wear yellow underwear for luck, they burn fireworks
and play music full of joy while dancing.
