New Year’s Day
Paraguay celebrates the New Year just as the rest of the world, with all-night celebrations, fireworks and music. Asuncion is the best spot to catch the action.

Carnival
This incredibly festival multi-day event takes place at the same as in other countries such as Brazil. Although not as famous as Rio de Janeiro, a good time is still guaranteed.

Holy Week Festival
In gearing up for the Easter celebrations, Paraguay holds an annual week-long festival to set the pious mood for the coming events.

Cerro Cora
This national holiday commemorates the death of former president Francisco Solano Lopez with a ceremony in the capital.

Easter
As in most other South American countries, Easter is celebrated with all the religious fervour you’d expect from a predominantly Catholic population.

Independence Day
All over the country, events are held to celebrate Paraguay’s independence from Spain with parades, concerts and fireworks.

Verbena de San Juan
This traditional festival is part religious, part cultural, and part bizarre, with events such as walking on hot embers taking centre stage.

Dia de San Juan
Another annual festival which has been happening for decades takes a more light-hearted look at Saint John with music, food and games around the country.

Nanduti Festival
This traditional folk festival in Itaugua showcases the region’s art, crafts, food and music with the amazing lace-making skills of the local women on display.

Dia de la Virgen de la Asuncion
The Ascension of the Virgin Mary is the theme of this very important religious and cultural celebration which consists of processions and ceremonies.

Festival of Alfalfa
As the name may imply, this is a harvest festival held in Sapucai to celebrate the end of another successful crop of Alfalfa with drinking, music and dancing.

Encuentro Internacional de Coros
One of Paraguay’s few performance arts festivals is the annual choir festival held in Encarnacion, where music overtakes the town for a few days.

Festival del Poyvi
The town of Carapegua is the scene of this traditional art, crafts and music fair held each year to showcase the culture of this region of Paraguay.

New Year’s Day: 1 January
Heroes’ Day: 1 March
Maundy Thursday: 5 April
Good Friday: 6 April
Easter: 8 April
Labour Day: 1 May
Independence Day: 15 May
Peace of Chaco: 12 June
Founding of Asuncion: 15 August
Battle of Boqueron: 29 September
Immaculate Conception: 8 December
Christmas: 25 December