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Savor
the flavor of the many colorful, traditional festivals that
grace Ecuador's calendar. As befits a culture where celebration
(as opposed to economics) is the cornerstone of existence,
many of the festivals last for weeks on end and are not
limited to just one day.
Click to see the Annual Folk Calendar
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December
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New Year's Eve |
Años Viejos |
Dec 31 – Jan 1
One of the most unique festivals in Ecuador is New Years.
In addition to the festive atmosphere together with family
and friends, the night of the 31st is known for the making
of the “años viejos”, or life size dolls
dressed in old clothes and filled with newspaper and sawdust,
that are a representation of political characters from the
year that is ending.
Many men dress up as the widows of the person that will
be burnt at 12:00, dressing in funny costumes of black and
asking for alms for the dead. The making of the “wills”,
that include a critique of the past year and of the hopes
and ideas for the new one are written humorously and with
great talent. Dancing, food and some mystic rituals are
also present on this last day of the year.
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Day of the Innocents |
Fiesta de Inocentes |
Dec 28 – Jan 6
On this date is commemorated the death of all of the children
under two years old, ordered by King Herod when Jesus was
born. In Ecuador and other countries in the world, this
fiesta means jokes and pranks that nobody can be offended
by from the 28th to the 6th of January. Historically, parades
with costumes were held along the main streets of the city
with young and old participating. Currently, this tradition
has decreased but there are still places where it continues
like Cuenca.
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Santo Domingo - Loja |
Dec 8
The Lojanos prepare to celebrate 457 years of founding by
the Spaniards. The capital of the most southern province
of the country is famous for its organization and good taste
in organizing the festival. The celebrations begin in the
middle of November and go to the 8th of December. This year,
the most important acts organized by the Municipality and
the Provincial Council are the presentation of a DVD with
theatrical works made by the inhabitants, the placing of
offerings in the plaza of San Sebastian at 8:00 am and the
civic school parade at 9:00.
How to get there?
By land:
Go to the Cumanda bus terminal and take a bus of the Loja
Cooperative (02 2 581 240) or Coop. Viajeros (02 2 953 872)
Cost: $14.00 night trip and $17.00 day trip. Approx. time.
14 hours.
By air:
The airline TAME (02) 2 257 693 / 719 flies to Loja. Hours:
two flights: 06:35 (daily) and 17:20 (Monday, Wednesday
and Sunday). Cost: $71.00 y $53.00. Approx. time. 45 minutes.
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Cantonization of Baños
(Tungurahua) |
Baños |
Dec 16
Baños was founded in 1553 by the religious community
of the Dominicans, and is currently one of the most popular
tourist spots in Ecuador. The Tungurahua volcano, its famous
hot baths, architecture and night spots are prepared with
different special events that commemorate its long history.
The fiestas begin on Friday the 10th with the kickoff parade
along Espejo street at 2:00 pm. The election of the Queen
of Banos is the 11th at 8:00 pm in the Municipal Coliseum.
There will be the ecological Raid of the travel agencies
(for more information call (03) 2 741 273) and different
expositions and festivals.
How to get there?
Go to the Cumandá bus station and take a bus belonging
to the Coop. Baños (02 2 570 884) Cost: $2.00. Approx.
time. 3 hours
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