Fiesta de Santa Ana (Nicaragua) - Although Fiesta de Santa Ana celebrations are observed throughout Nicaragua, the procession is based in the small town of Nindirí.

Fiesta de Santa Ana (Nicaragua) 2024 – July 26, 2024

Fiesta de Santa Ana in Nicaragua, or the Feast of Saint Anne, is celebrated on July 26. Locals celebrate the day by holding parades with the statue of Saint Anne, donning the island’s colors, and dancing to traditional music. The feast is one of the many public Christian holidays in the country when communities gather to eat, pray, and make merry in the name of the Lord’s grandmother, Saint Anne.

History of Fiesta de Santa Ana (Nicaragua)

Fiesta de Santa Ana honors the mother of Mary and the grandmother of Jesus. Santa Ana or ‘Saint Anne’ is revered by Nicaragua’s indigenous communities, and Christians pray to the goddess in hopes that she will convey their wishes to the Lord.The procession and after-party are attended by people of all ages, backgrounds, and creeds. The day begins with a 7:00 a.m. mass at a local Church. In the afternoon, residents join a procession in the streets with a statue of Santa Ana covered in a garland and carried by champions of the faith. A reverent atmosphere grows as thousands of devotees march to the tunes of a Mariachi band. Men in the crowd take up swords and fence in pairs, and professional dancers dress in traditional colors of red, white, and black to perform for the masses.The celebrations promote economic activity for the local vendors and artisans of remote cities. Streets are filled with artists, vendors, and local craftspeople selling their creations to attendees. Party goers overrun clubs and eateries as locals leave their homes for a night filled with fun games, traditional food, and quality time with the community. In addition, locals dress up in black jackets, white pants, and colorful flower hats. Some devotees also cover their faces with black paint to assume the devil’s spirit and pay for their sins.

Fiesta de Santa Ana (Nicaragua) timeline

1700s
The Church is Built

The Church of Santa Ana is established in Nindirí, Nicaragua.

1772
The Volcano’s Destruction

The Santiago Volcano destroys the church, which stays abandoned for 15 years.

1787
Reconstruction

The Church is rebuilt and opened to the public again.

2013
The Tradition Lives On

Processions mark the 400th anniversary of the establishment of Santa Ana.

Fiesta de Santa Ana (Nicaragua) FAQs

What is Saint Anne best known for?

Saint Anne is best known for her embodiment of love, femininity, and motherly affection.

When is St. Anne’s feast day?

Saint Anne’s feast day is celebrated on July 26.

Why is St. Anne so important?

St. Anne is the mother of Mary, who was born through Immaculate Conception. This means that Mary’s soul was preserved from original sin.

Fiesta de Santa Ana (Nicaragua) Activities

  1. Enjoy a feast with your family

    Get into the spirit of the celebrations by breaking bread with your family. Fiesta de Santa Ana is a spiritual experience best observed in the company of our community and family.

  2. Watch the procession

    Words cannot describe the beauty and grandiosity of the day’s parades. Witness it yourself by catching the live streams on YouTube.

  3. Read about it

    Tales of Nicaragua’s Spanish colonization and subsequent evangelization are fascinating. Mark the celebration and honor one of the nation’s patron saints by diving deep into the Catholic history of Nicaragua.

5 Facts About Christian Holy Days In Nicaragua

  1. Good Friday

    Good Friday marks the crucifixion of Jesus and is celebrated the Friday before Easter.

  2. Easter Sunday

    Easter commemorates the resurrection of Jesus and is the most important event in the New Testament.

  3. Fiesta de Santiago

    Fiesta de Santiago is celebrated in remote towns across Nicaragua on July 25.

  4. Holy Thursday

    The Holy Thursday marks the Last Supper of Jesus and is a public holiday in the country.

  5. Fiesta de Santo Domingo

    Fiesta de Santo Domingo celebrates Santo Domingo de Guzmán, Nicaragua’s patron saint.

Why We Love Fiesta de Santa Ana (Nicaragua)

  1. It honors indigenous communities

    Saint Anne is the patron saint of the indigenous communities in Nicaragua. She is revered in the global south because of the miracles bestowed in her name.

  2. It unites families

    Fiesta de Santa Ana is a wonderful time to get together with your family. Nicaraguans from all over the nation travel to their hometowns to join their local processions and spend time with their relatives and childhood friends.

  3. It’s a public holiday

    July 26 is a nationwide public holiday in Nicaragua. The government declared the holiday to mark the festival and allow dedicated devotees to join parades in her honor.

Fiesta de Santa Ana (Nicaragua) dates

Year Date Day
2023 July 26 Wednesday
2024 July 26 Friday
2025 July 26 Saturday
2026 July 26 Sunday
2027 July 26 Monday