Events this month include traditional festivals, great movies, interesting fairs, diverse music and dance performances from all over the world.
Movies
- Cine Magaly: This month a series celebrating female perspectives, “Cine con Lentes de Mujer,” will screen every Saturday at 1 pm in the Club Magaly, including “Caramelo” and “El Piano”.
- University Cinema: After the semester is over the series of free movies at the University continues with the “Month of Architecture and Cities.” Every Thursday and Friday after Aug. 14, 6:30 pm at the Auditorium of Law (San Pedro).
Fairs
- Let the exhibitors at the travel & tourism fair help you plan your next Costa Rica excurision, Aug. 21, from 11 am – 5 pm at the Hotel Sleep Inn .
- Looking for a new book to practice your Spanish? The International Book Fair opens from Aug. 22-31, 9 am – 8 pm, at the Antigua Aduana in San José.
- The fair “Diseño Gourmet” may be a good chance to buy some unique souvenirs and see how design and gourmet make a great match, Aug. 2, 8 am – 4 pm at the Shopping Center La Paco in Escazú.

Music and Dance
- The opera “Nabucco” by Guiseppe Verdi, epic retelling of the biblical story of King Nebuchadnezzar will be played in the National Theater on Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 5 pm until August 10th.
- The National Festival of Contemporary Dance features one to three renowned acts daily August 5 – 10, 8pm at alternately at the Teatro Melico Salazar or the Teatro de la Danza.
- The Ballet of the National Theatre Prague performs Aug. 17 at 5 pm and Aug. 18 at 8 pm, National Theater in San José.
- The “Wiener Saengerknaben”, a boys chorus from Vienna, will hold a free concert on Aug. 22 at 7:30 pm, Plaza Tempo (next to Holiday Inn) in Escazú. Hear them at the National Theater on Aug. 24 at 5 pm. Part of the “Festival de Música Credomatic.”
- The Afro-cultural Festival continues with different music and dance performances, starting with the Limón Roots Awards Aug. 20 at 7 pm in the National Theater in San José. The grand final of the 10-day festival is the Gala Parade, Aug. 31 in Limón.
- The annual Gospel Festival “Let it Shine” features various choruses and artists, Aug. 30 at 7:30 pm at the Teatro Popular Melico Salazar.
Traditional & religious celebration
- Experience authentic Costa Rican culture during a popular celebration in San Ramón de Alajuela, including a procession with about 60 images of saints brought to the center of town, traditional festivities with live music and typical food, from Aug. 30 – 31.
Feature image of the National Festival of Contemporary Dance by La Nacion.