February is one of the most dynamic months on the island, when plazas, coastlines, and mountain towns come alive with music, color, and tradition. Across the island, February Festivals in Puerto Rico celebrate deep cultural roots, blending African, Spanish, and Taíno influences into lively carnivals, folkloric parades, and community gatherings. From iconic vejigante masks and pulsating bomba rhythms to coffee harvest celebrations and seaside festivities, this month showcases Puerto Rico at its most expressive. Whether you’re visiting or celebrating like a local, February offers some of the island’s most memorable cultural experiences.
January 29 – February 1: Carnaval Capitán Correa en Arecibo – After years away, a legendary carnival returns
Location: Avenida Víctor Rojas, Arecibo
After many years of absence, the historic Captain Correa Carnival makes its long-awaited return to Arecibo. Led by the Autonomous Municipality of Arecibo and Mayor Carlos Tito Ramírez Irizarry, this revival brings back one of the city’s most cherished cultural traditions.
For four unforgettable days, Arecibo’s streets will come alive with joy, rhythm, and color, reaffirming the city’s deep roots in culture, tradition, and community pride.
Must-See Highlights: Colorful carnival parades through the city. Costumed performers and traditional characters. Official coronations and ceremonial events. Live musical performances. Family-friendly activities for all ages. A festive atmosphere celebrating Arecibo’s cultural legacy.
Perfect For: Families looking for a classic Puerto Rican carnival. Culture and tradition enthusiasts. Visitors seeking authentic local celebrations.
Insider Tip: Attend more than one day if you can, each night offers a different vibe, from ceremonial moments to high energy performances. Arrive early for parades to secure a good viewing spot.
More Info: Municipio Autónomo de Arecibo
January 31 – February 1: Festival de la Yautía en Camuy – A Celebration Rooted in the Land
Location: Complejo Deportivo Elba Rivera Pérez, Quebrada, Camuy
Camuy puts one of Puerto Rico’s most beloved root vegetables in the spotlight. The Festival de la Yautía honors local farmers while celebrating island flavor, tradition, and community. For two days, yautía takes center stage, served sweet, savory, and everything in between. It’s a delicious tribute to agriculture, culture, and northern Puerto Rico pride.
Must-See Highlights: Creative yautía dishes, including limbers, flan, alcapurrias, tacos, mashed yautía, bifongo, and mamposteado. Creole cuisine prepared by Sabor del Norte, Leany’s Cake, Old Coco Whiskey Restaurant, El Casero Cheese Factory, Colmado y Cafetín Bubu, and Cafetería Paco. Local farmers selling fresh agricultural products. Rooster boot exhibition showcasing rural traditions. Antique cars and tractors on display throughout the venue
Perfect For: Food lovers curious about traditional Puerto Rican ingredients. Families looking for a cultural, outdoor weekend event. Travelers exploring Camuy and Puerto Rico’s northern region. Anyone who appreciates farm-to-table traditions and local heritage
Insider Tip: Arrive early and pace yourself.. Yautía shows up in many forms, and you’ll want room to try more than one dish.
More Info: Municipio de Camuy
February 6-8: Carnaval del Plata en Dorado – A Carnival That Shines With Tradition
Location: Plaza Pública, Dorado
Dorado comes alive with color, rhythm, and community pride.. The 53rd annual Carnaval del Plata returns to the town’s main square for three joyful days.. This year’s celebration honors Mario Butler Graham and Joseli Santana Pérez.. It’s a tribute to culture, history, and the spirit that unites Dorado.
From Friday through Sunday, the plaza transforms into a festive stage. Music fills the air. Costumes shine. And tradition takes center stage.
Must-See Highlights: Colorful floats parading through Dorado. Dance troupes celebrating Puerto Rican rhythm and movement. Live bands and musical performances
Perfect For: Families looking for a classic Puerto Rican carnival experience. Culture lovers and festival enthusiasts. Visitors exploring Dorado and Puerto Rico’s north coast
Insider Tip: Take advantage of the free transportation.. Shuttles will run from the Gran Parque Agroturístico, making parking and access easier.
More Info: Municipio De Dorado
February 6-8: Carnaval de Vejigantes de la Playa de Ponce – Where Folklore Comes to Life
Location: La Playa de Ponce
The Carnaval de Vejigantes de la Playa de Ponce is a vibrant cultural celebration that serves as the precursor to the renowned Carnaval Ponceño. Set in the historic coastal district of La Playa de Ponce, this annual festival brings Puerto Rican folklore into the streets through music, costume, and movement. Over three days, the neighborhood transforms into a living stage where tradition, creativity, and community pride converge, offering visitors an immersive introduction to one of the island’s most iconic expressions of cultural identity.
Must-See Highlights: Colorful vejigantes masks and elaborate hand-crafted costumes. Lively parades weaving through La Playa de Ponce. Live bomba and plena performances throughout the festival. Street performances and folkloric demonstrations. Local food vendors serving classic Puerto Rican cuisine
Perfect For: Culture lovers interested in Puerto Rican folklore and traditions. Photographers drawn to bold colors, movement, and masks. Families seeking an authentic cultural festival experience. Travelers exploring Ponce and Puerto Rico’s southern coast
Insider Tip: Arrive early to explore La Playa de Ponce before the parades begin, then stay into the evening when the music grows louder and the vejigantes take over the streets.
More info: Carnaval de Vejigantes de la Playa de Ponce
February 13-15: Carnaval Arroyano – A Carnival by the Sea
Location: Malecón (Paseo Las Américas), Arroyo
Carnaval Arroyano is one of southern Puerto Rico’s most spirited cultural celebrations, bringing color, rhythm, and tradition to the Malecón of Arroyo each February. Set against the coastal backdrop of Paseo Las Américas, the festival blends classic carnival elements with strong community pride. Expect vibrant parades, traditional vejigantes, live music, especially salsa and a lively atmosphere that carries from afternoon into the night. It’s a joyful expression of Puerto Rican heritage, celebrated right by the sea.
Must-See Highlights: The Entrance of King Momo and the Grand Marshal, marking the official opening of Carnival on Friday night. Traditional vejigantes in colorful masks and elaborate costumes. Parades along the Malecón filled with music, movement, and pageantry. Live salsa performances and dance-focused entertainment. Local food vendors and artisan craft booths throughout the festival grounds
Perfect For: Carnival lovers seeking a classic Puerto Rican celebration. Music and dance fans, especially salsa enthusiasts. Families and groups looking for a festive seaside event. Travelers exploring Puerto Rico’s southern coastal towns
Insider Tip: Don’t miss Friday night’s Entrance of King Momo. It sets the tone for the entire weekend and is one of the most symbolic moments of the Carnaval Arroyano.
More Info: Gobierno Municipal de Arroyo
February 13-15: Fiesta del Acabe del Café – A Toast to the Coffee Harvest
Location: Maricao (Plaza Pública Luis Muñoz Rivera)
n the mountainous heart of western Puerto Rico, the Fiesta del Acabe del Café celebrates the end of the coffee picking season and honors Maricao’s deep coffee heritage. Held each February in the town’s central plaza, this three-day festival brings together locals, farmers, artisans, and visitors for a rich cultural experience infused with aroma, music, and tradition. The event marks more than just the end of the harvest, it’s a vibrant gathering that spotlights the craftsmanship, community pride, and centuries-old coffee traditions that have shaped Maricao’s identity as one of Puerto Rico’s premier coffee towns.
Must-See Highlights: Puerto Rican coffee tastings from local growers and roasters throughout the weekend. Artisans showcasing handmade crafts and agricultural exhibits. Local food and coffee-inspired desserts prepared with freshly harvested beans. Live music performances and cultural entertainment in the plaza. Children’s activities and community-focused events for all ages.
Perfect For: Coffee lovers eager to sample one of Puerto Rico’s best-known regional brews. Travelers seeking authentic cultural festivals in the island’s mountain towns. Families and friends looking for a lively weekend of food, music, and crafts. Photography and food enthusiasts capturing the colors and flavors of local life
Insider Tip: Arrive early each day to enjoy tastings and artisan booths before the crowds gather. The coffee flavors are best enjoyed fresh, and the morning hours are ideal for strolling the plaza and meeting growers.
More Info: Gobierno Municipal de Maricao
February 14: Valentine’s Day in Puerto Rico – A Day Made for Romance
Location: Around the Island
Valentine’s Day in Puerto Rico is less about grand gestures and more about shared moments. From seaside dinners and sunset walks to live music and candlelit plazas, the island offers countless ways to celebrate love. Whether you’re planning an intimate evening, a spontaneous getaway, or a relaxed date under the stars, February 14 feels warmer here, both in temperature and in spirit.
Must-See Highlights: Romantic dinners at beachfront and historic restaurants. Sunset strolls along the coast, boardwalks, and Old San Juan streets. Live music, jazz nights, and special Valentine’s performances. Hotel and resort Valentine’s Day packages across the island. Dessert spots, wine bars, and cocktail lounges offering themed specials
Perfect For: Couples looking for a romantic escape. Locals planning a special night out. Visitors celebrating Valentine’s Day on vacation. Anyone who believes great food, music, and scenery make the best love story.\
More Info: Valentine’s Day in Puerto Rico: The Ultimate Romantic Getaway
February 12-17: Ponce Carnival / Carnaval Ponceño – Puerto Rico’s Most Iconic Carnival
Location: Plaza Pública de Ponce and surrounding areas\
The Carnaval Ponceño is Puerto Rico’s oldest and most celebrated carnival, filling the historic city of Ponce with color, rhythm, and theatrical tradition in the days leading up to Lent. Rooted in African, Spanish, and Taíno influences, this iconic festival is best known for its elaborate vejigante masks, richly detailed costumes, and energetic parades that transform the city center into a living cultural spectacle. Over nearly a week of festivities, music, dance, and folklore take over plazas and streets, offering one of the most immersive cultural experiences on the island.
Must-See Highlights: Iconic vejigante masks and costumes unique to Ponce. Grand parades through the city featuring floats, performers, and dancers. Live bomba and plena performances throughout the week. Cultural events and family-friendly activities in and around the plaza. The Burial of the Sardine, a symbolic and theatrical closing ceremony marking the end of Carnival
Perfect For: Culture lovers and festival enthusiasts. Photographers drawn to bold colors and dramatic costumes. Families looking for a historic and lively celebration. Travelers exploring Puerto Rico’s southern cultural capital.
More info: Ponce Carnival / Carnaval Ponceño
