Ministry of Culture and Youth Invites You to Enjoy Cultural Activities During Holy Week

This year, the Ministry of Culture and Youth will take part in the solemn events of Holy Week with a program of activities led by the Directorate of Bands, in collaboration with the Teatro Popular Melico Salazar, the National Theater Company, the National Theater of Costa Rica, and the Center for Artistic and Cultural Production.

San José, April 9, 2025. This year, the Ministry of Culture and Youth will take part in the solemn events of Holy Week with a program of activities led by the Directorate of Bands, in collaboration with the Teatro Popular Melico Salazar, the National Theater Company, the National Theater of Costa Rica, and the Center for Artistic and Cultural Production.

The country’s seven National Bands will offer special concerts of sacred music; they will also accompany traditional processions in various regions of the country.

Alexis Morales Barrientos, General Director of Bands at the Ministry of Culture and Youth, stated: “We invite Costa Rican citizens to join us in the celebration of Holy Week in a very special way in the capital, in San José, as the Ministry will be participating in the Good Friday and Easter Sunday processions in the capital with the National Band of San José, along with a cast of artists and under the artistic direction of the National Theater Company of the Teatro Popular Melico Salazar, as well as support from the Center for Artistic and Cultural Production.”

“Holy Week is one of the most important holidays for Costa Ricans, and for that reason, music will also be enjoyed in Heredia, Alajuela, and Guanacaste, with our National Bands accompanying the processions, so that families can join and enjoy together,” Morales concluded.

Jorge Rodríguez Vives, Minister of Culture and Youth, indicated that “the traditions of Holy Week are lived in every corner of this country, whether people do so out of faith or identity and community. That is why the Ministry could not fail to support the various communities in organizing these efforts. I am very pleased that the Directorate of Bands, the National Theater Company and the National Theater Workshop of the Teatro Melico Salazar; the National Theater and the Center for Artistic and Cultural Production are part of this—especially being able to support the capital, which, due to political decisions, had been left without support for these traditions.”

For her part, Laura Santamaría, Director of the National Theater Company, stated: “We invite all citizens to be part of this living commemoration of faith and tradition, which transcends generations and reaffirms the spiritual and cultural richness of Costa Rica.”

According to Santamaría, the processions in San José will take place on Friday, April 18, at the following times:
10:00 a.m. – Procession of the Way to Calvary, starting at La Soledad Church and ending at the Metropolitan Cathedral.
6:00 p.m. – Procession of the Holy Sepulchre, starting at the Metropolitan Cathedral.

Schedule | Holy Week 2025

Ministry of Culture and Youth

☼ General Directorate of Bands (DB)

National Band of Alajuela

Palm Sunday Procession. Sunday 13, 8 a.m., departing from Juan Santamaría Park toward the Cathedral.
Way of the Cross Procession. Friday 18, 9 a.m., departing from La Agonía Church toward the Cathedral.
Holy Burial Procession. Friday 18, 5 p.m., from the Cathedral; returns to the same place. Free event.
Resurrected Christ Procession. Sunday 20, 5 p.m., departing from La Agonía Church toward the Cathedral.

National Band of Cartago

Holy Week Concert. Special Holy Week repertoire: Symphonic Prelude, Calle Larios, among others. Wednesday 9, 7 p.m., Dulce Nombre Church in Cartago. Free entry.
Holy Week Concert. Special Holy Week repertoire: Symphonic Prelude, Calle Larios, among others. Saturday 12, 5:30 p.m., María Auxiliadora Church. Musical direction by German Paniagua Zeledón (principal conductor), José Manuel Loría, and Elmer Richmond (guest conductors). Free entry.

National Band of Guanacaste

Palm Sunday Procession. Sunday 13, 8 a.m., Hojancha, around the temple.
Special Holy Week Concert. Tuesday 15, 6:30 p.m., Tilarán Cathedral. A concert for reflection on the Passion of Christ, with guest narrators.
Holy Burial Procession. Friday 18, 6 p.m., Belén de Carrillo Temple. The piece Duelo de la Patria will be performed at the start and end of the procession, along with other funeral marches.
Resurrection Procession. Sunday 20, 5 p.m., Fortuna de Bagaces.

National Band of San José

Sacred Concert. Monday 14, 7 p.m., San Juan Church in Tibás.
Sacred Concert. Tuesday 15, 7:30 p.m., Basilica of Santo Domingo in Heredia.
Sacred Concert. Wednesday 16, 7 p.m., San Bruno Church, Colima de Tibás.
Procession of the Encounter. Friday 18, from 10:30 a.m., Nuestra Señora de la Soledad Church; ending at the Metropolitan Cathedral.
Holy Burial Procession. Friday 18, from 5:45 p.m., beginning and ending at the Metropolitan Cathedral.
Resurrection Procession. Sunday 20, 11 a.m., Metropolitan Cathedral.

National Band of Limón

Special Holy Week Concert. Sacred music by great composers and Costa Rican funeral marches. Tuesday 15, 7 p.m., Limón Cathedral. Free entry.
Special Holy Week Concert. Sacred music by great composers and Costa Rican funeral marches. Wednesday 16, 7 p.m., Guápiles Parish, Pococí. Free entry.

National Band of Heredia

Palm Sunday Procession. Sunday 13, 9 a.m., Central streets of Heredia.
Procession of the Encounter. Friday 18, 9 a.m., Central streets of Heredia.
Holy Sepulchre Procession. Friday 18, 5 p.m., Central streets of Heredia.
Easter Sunday Procession. Sunday 20, 9 a.m., Central streets of Heredia.

☼ Juan Santamaría Historical Cultural Museum (MHCJS)

Museum hours. Monday to Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Closed on Holy Thursday and Good Friday.

☼ National Museum of Costa Rica (MNCR)

San José Headquarters

Holy Week hours. Tuesday 15, Wednesday 16, Saturday 19, and Sunday 20, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
General admission: ¢2,500. Free entry for: seniors over 65, children under 12, students with ID, and all nationals and residents (with ID) on Sundays. Closed on Holy Thursday and Good Friday.

Finca 6 Site Museum, Palmar de Osa

Open Tuesday to Sunday (including Holy Thursday and Good Friday), 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Admission: ¢1,500. Free entry for: seniors over 65, children under 12, and students with ID.

☼ La Libertad Park (PLL)

Holy Week hours. Open to the public all week. Green spaces and recreational areas open as usual from Monday to Sunday, 5 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Ideal space for walking, cycling, picnics, or bringing pets. Access via Fátima de Desamparados: 600 meters southwest and 300 meters north from Palí, or via Río Azul in front of the sports plaza.

☼ National Theater of Costa Rica (TNCR)

Dramatized visits to the National Theater. April 14–20, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., every hour.
General admission: ¢2,000, ¢1,500 for seniors, ¢3,500 for foreigners. Free entry for children under 12.
For reservations: 2010-1142/43 or email: uboleteria@teatronacional.go.cr