The “City of Mangoes” is gearing up to host one of the most anticipated celebrations of the season. The Municipality of Alajuela has confirmed its traditional Christmas festival, “Alajuela Brilla” (Alajuela Shines), promising to fill the streets with music, color, and festive spirit this coming Saturday, December 6th. With a robust lineup featuring seven floats and thirteen bands from across the country, the event is shaping up to be a key gathering point for Costa Rican families looking to kick off the holidays with a high-caliber spectacle.
The event logistics have been designed to ensure an afternoon and evening of continuous entertainment. While the main event—the parade of floats and headline bands—will begin at 6:00 p.m., the festivities start much earlier. Starting at 2:00 p.m., a street parade featuring 24 bands and nine artistic groups will warm up the crowd, moving along the popular “calle ancha” (wide street). The official evening route will kick off near the Banco Nacional (La Tropicana sector) and conclude near the Municipal Police station in Urbanización Meza, offering an extensive path for the public to find comfortable viewing spots.
Notable participants include renowned groups such as the Tibás Municipal Band, the Nicoya Municipal Band, and the Limón Rhythmic Band, ensuring a diversity of rhythms ranging from solemn to tropical. On the visual side, floats will be presented by entities such as Banco Nacional, FIFCO, Grupo Mutual, and the Municipality itself, among others. A touching detail of this edition is the designation of the parade marshal: the honor this year goes to the Alajuela Special Education and Rehabilitation Center, a fitting recognition of its tireless educational and social work within the canton.
Security will be a fundamental pillar for attendee enjoyment. Authorities have announced a deployment of 70 Municipal Police officers and a hundred private security guards, supported by the National Police, OIJ, and Traffic Police. Additionally, perimeter road closures will be in effect starting the night of Friday, December 5th, so drivers are advised to plan accordingly. With seven Red Cross stations and support from PANI (National Child Welfare Agency), Alajuela seeks to shine not only with its lights but by offering a safe and orderly environment to celebrate the magic of Christmas as a community.
