Get ready for an exciting weekend packed with fun! From live concerts and captivating plays to vibrant festivals, cultural celebrations, and dazzling shows, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.

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On Friday

Step into the magical world of your favorite fairy-tale movies with “Once Upon a Voice,” presented by the Estudio Choralia ensemble at the Eugene O'Neill Theater in San José. Enjoy a musical journey through hit songs from beloved films like The Little Mermaid, Frozen, and Cinderella, along with many other favorites. The show begins at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are available at the theater box office or online.

Get ready for a night of classic rock as Stone Dive Rock Band brings the sounds of the ’80s, ’90s, and ’20s to Mundo Loco Pub in San José. The show starts at 9 p.m., and tickets are available at the venue’s box office.

On Friday and Sunday

Enjoy an unforgettable evening or morning of classical music as the National Symphony Orchestra takes the stage at the National Theater in San José. The program features Johannes Brahms’ Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 77, and Felix Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 3, “Scottish,” in A minor, Op. 56. The Friday concert starts at 8:00 p.m., while Sunday's performance begins at 10:30 a.m. Tickets are available at the theater box office or online.

On Saturday

Get your steins ready,  Oktoberfest is back this weekend at Nebula Center in Heredia. Inspired by the world-famous Munich party, this fest is bringing the flavor (and the foam) right here to Costa Rica. Think 150+ types of beer, German eats straight from the food trucks, live music, cultural shows, and plenty of lederhosen vibes. Doors open at noon, and you can grab your tickets at the venue or on the EventCR website.

Anime, manga, and Japanese pop culture fans won’t want to miss Manga Fest at the Antigua Aduana Event Center in San José. The festival is packed with artbook exhibits, cosplay contests, manga merchandise, and tons of activities inspired by Japanese comic culture. Doors open at 10 a.m.  Tickets are available at the venue box office or online.

Get into the rhythm with a lively Latin music concert at the National Theater in San José, featuring the National Institute of Music Orchestra. There are two chances to catch the show, with the first performance kicking off at 10:00 a.m. and the second starting at 2:00 p.m. Best of all, admission is free for the general public, so come enjoy the music without spending a dime.

Jazz lovers, this one's for you! Head to the National Theater in San José for a Latin Jazz concert featuring the Alajuela Province National Band. The show starts at 7:00 p.m., offering a great opportunity to enjoy an evening of live music in one of the city's best-known cultural venues. Tickets are available at the theater box office or online.

Rock fans, crank up the excitement! The band High Voltage brings “AC/DC History” to Jazz Café in San José for a concert celebrating the legendary Australian rock band AC/DC. Get ready to rock out to fan favorites like “Back in Black,” “Highway to Hell,” and “You Shook Me All Night Long,” plus other hits. The show starts at 8:00 p.m., and tickets are available at the venue's box office.

El Pescado Loco Rooftop Patio in Dominical Beach, Puntarenas, hosts friendly pickup ball hockey games beginning at 9:30 a.m. Players of all skill levels are welcome to join or simply watch the action. The games regularly attract participants from Canada, Costa Rica, Denmark, Switzerland, and the United States, making it a fun international community event. Admission is free

Anime fans, get ready for a musical experience you won't want to miss! The Melico Salazar Theater in San José presents “Anime Philharmonic,” featuring the Costa Rica Philharmonic Orchestra performing soundtracks from major anime series. Catch the Saturday performance at 8:00 p.m. or head over on Sunday for the 4:00 p.m. show. Tickets are available at the theater box office or online.

Get ready for a beautiful blend of classical music and dance as the Dance Theater, located at the Ministry of Culture facilities in San José, presents “The Four Seasons,” inspired by the iconic work of Antonio Lucio Vivaldi and featuring the National Dance Company. Catch the first performance at 11:00 a.m. or come back for the second show at 5:00 p.m. Tickets are available at the theater box office or on the Melico Salazar Theater website, which is sponsoring the show.

Treat yourself to an afternoon of beautiful harmonies at the National Theater in San José, where the University of Costa Rica Chamber Choir takes part in a Choral Festival celebrating some of the finest melodies in classical music. It's a chance to sit back, enjoy the voices, and experience the beauty of choral music live. The performance begins at 3:00 p.m. Tickets are available at the theater box office or online.

Treat the kids to a magical afternoon with "The Little Prince" at Expressivo Theater in San José. Inspired by the beloved novella written by French writer and aviator Antoine de Saint-Exupéry in 1943, this family-friendly production brings the timeless story to life on stage. The show starts at 2 p.m.  Grab your tickets at the theater box office or online.

Espressivo Theater in San José is bringing the laughs with “Therapy,” a comedy based on the original play by Argentine writer Matías Del Federico. The story follows three couples stepping into a therapy session hoping to fix their issues, but things spiral into straight-up hilarious chaos instead. Shows run Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., and Sunday at 6 p.m. Grab your tickets at the theater box office or online.

The Esenario Theater in San José presents the comedy show  “My Wife Is the Plumber”, a wild and entertaining story about a man who loses his wife in an accident and tries to rebuild his life, only to have a plumber show up one day to fix a broken pipe. What starts as a simple repair quickly turns into a chaotic affair filled with satire and life lessons. Shows start at 7 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and at 5 p.m. on Sundays. Tickets are available at the theater or online.

The Glow Art Experience is lighting up the Children’s Museum in San José with an immersive show that combines colorful lights and 3D technology to transport audiences into a fictional world created through light and music. Performances run continuously starting at 10 a.m., giving visitors plenty of opportunities to experience this colorful and creative attraction. Tickets are available at the museum’s box office.

The Lucho Barahona Theater in San José presents "The Woman in Black," inspired by Susan Hill’s 1983 novel. Set in early 20th-century England, the story follows a young, recently widowed lawyer who travels to a remote village, where he discovers that the vengeful ghost of a scorned woman is terrorizing the locals. Performances begin at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and at 5 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are available at the theater box office or online.

 

The Tricycle Theater in San José is putting a fun twist on mystery with “Shear Madness,” based on the German play “Scherenschnitt” by Paul Pörtner. This interactive comedy drops you right into a unisex hair salon where a famous pianist upstairs gets murdered—and suddenly everyone’s a suspect. Expect laughs, surprises, and a chance to be part of the action. Showtimes are Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., and Sunday at 5 p.m. Tickets are available at the theater box office or online.

 

Embark on an unforgettable journey at the Wildlife Rescue Center in Barrio San José, Alajuela. Take a guided tour through the animal sanctuary and wildlife conservation center, where you’ll explore beautiful botanical gardens and meet over 125 species of rescued animals including sloths, monkeys, jaguars, tapirs, birds, and reptiles. These incredible animals cannot be returned to their natural habitat, but they are lovingly cared for at the center. Tickets are available at the venue box office or on the center's website. Don’t miss this chance to connect with nature and support wildlife conservation.

A fun-filled day of activities designed just for teenagers at Libertad Park Club in San José. From painting and dance to music, sports, and arts, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Best of all, the event is free and pet-friendly, so you can bring your furry friends along for the fun. The event kicks off at 9 a.m.

Dive into an unforgettable adventure at the Kids Saving the Rainforest Wildlife Sanctuary in Quepos Beach, Puntarenas! This amazing non-profit is home to nearly 50 incredible animals that can't be released back into the wild, and you can meet them all on one of their fascinating tours. Reserve your spot today by emailing Chip@kstr.org or calling 8827-8243. Don’t miss this chance to connect with nature and support a wonderful cause.

Get ready to witness the incredible arrival of sea turtles at Ostional National Park in Guanacaste. Starting at 6:30 a.m., you'll be guided by an expert from the Ostional Tourist Guides Association for an unforgettable experience.

Kick off an exciting day at Punta Pirata Beach Club in Puntarenas City, Puntarenas. With games, playgrounds, and pools, it's the ultimate spot for kids to have a blast. The doors open at 8 a.m., and tickets are available at the park box office.

Jump into endless fun at Ojo de Agua Water Park in San Antonio Belen, Heredia. Enjoy free swimming, Zumba, aerobics, sports games, fitness, diving, and so much more. This amazing club also features a parking area, a restaurant, multiple swimming pools for adults and kids, a playground, tennis courts, basketball courts, and even a soccer field! Doors open at 7:30 a.m.Tickets are available on-site.

Visit Lankester Botanical Gardens in Dulce Nombre, Cartago, for a day surrounded by stunning nature! The gardens open at 9 a.m. and feature lagoons, forests, and beautiful landscapes. Tickets are available on-site. It’s a perfect spot to explore Costa Rica’s natural beauty.

Get ready for a day of fun and discovery at the Children's Museum in downtown San José! Packed with exciting activities for kids, this is the perfect spot for family adventures. Doors open bright and early at 9 a.m., and tickets are available on-site or on the museum's website.

Head over to Kalambu Hot Springs Water Park in La Fortuna, Alajuela, for a day full of fun and relaxation! With over 10 aquatic activities and hot spring pools to enjoy, it’s the perfect spot to unwind. The park opens at 10 a.m. Tickets are available on the venue box office. Plus, kids under 4 get in for free.

Go ride hopping at the Parque de Diversiones in La Uruca, San José. The amusement park has more than 17 rides such as roller coasters, carousels, twists and bumper cars among many others. Enjoy their food court zone and picnic area. The park opens at 9 a.m. For more information visit the park's website.



The System of Conservation Areas invites visitors to explore some of Costa Rica's most beautiful national parks, including Chirripó in Cartago and Limón, Poás Volcano in Alajuela, Tortuguero in Limón, San Lucas Island in Puntarenas, Irazú Volcano in Cartago, and Manuel Antonio Beach in Puntarenas.  You can make reservations directly on the organization's website.

The Guanacaste Conservation Area invites visitors to explore both Santa Rosa and the Horizon Experimental Forest Station in Guanacaste. Tickets can be purchased on
organization's website.

The Diquis Museum in Palmar Sur, Osa, Puntarenas offers walking tours through the archaeological zone of Finca Sitio 6. Tours are available from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tickets are available on-site.

The Art Museum in downtown La Sabana, San José, presents private collections of Latin American artists. The museum is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets are available on-site.

 

The Gold Museum in downtown San José presents an exhibition of Costa Rican bills and coins since 1850. Also, in the exhibit are the 700 pieces of handcrafted gold made by the first population in Costa Rica. The museum opens at 9 a.m.

The National Museum in downtown San José, presents an exhibition of Costa Rica's history and handmade artifacts, including some more than 12,000 years old, made by the first peoples of the region. Museum hours are from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.