The first major religious holiday of the year is Holy Week, celebrated before Easter. Salvadorans hold processions, the most prominent being in the city of Sonsonate, where an effigy of the Virgin de la Candelaria is carried on a pedestal. On Easter weekend, most people celebrate by going to church and to the beach.

The first week of August is devoted to the fiesta for the country’s patron saint, El Salvador del Mundo (Savior of the World). In San Salvador, people enjoy a fair, carnival rides, food, soccer games and fireworks. In the annual procession, 25 men carry a heavy platform that bears an effigy of the patron saint concealed in a shell. When the saint is uncovered, people fall to their knees. Salvadorans frequently journey to their hometowns to visit their families.

Salvadorans view December 24th as the most important part of Christmastime. Families decorate their homes with elaborate nativity scenes, called nacimientos. These can take up an entire room. People attend midnight celebrations of the nativity, decorate Christmas trees, then feast and party until very late. On Christmas evening, children receive presents from El Niño, the baby Jesus.

Local fiestas and carnivals occur throughout the year to venerate saints or to have fun. In San Vicente, people in the procession perform a dance called Flores del Mayo and children throw corn, candy and flowers in the saint’s path. At the San Miguel carnival, a lay celebration, the town is decorated with lights and people dance to marimba bands on the main streets.

Holidays
January 1	New Year's Day
March or April	Holy Week
May 1	Labour Day
May 1	Labour Day
June 22	Teachers’ Day
Aug 1 to 6	Feast of the Saviour of the World
Sept 15	Independence Day
Oct 12	Day of the Race
Nov 2	Day of the Deceased
Dec 12	Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe
Dec 24/25	Christmas Eve, Christmas Day