12.5 Festival de la Luz

Held in San José, the capital of Costa Rica, on the second Saturday of December since 1996, this festival traditionally opens the country's Christmas season. It centers on a large nighttime parade of illuminated floats, costumed groups and marching bands, accompanied by live music and fireworks along the route (originally Paseo Colón, more recently moved to La Sabana Park). Music mainly comes from the school and municipal bands competing for a spot in the procession, rather than from staged concerts.