Published on Saturday, September 27, 2025
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

The Municipal Band of Zarcero, from Alajuela province, brought its signature “Pura Vida” spirit to Hawaii this past Saturday at the Aloha Floral Festival.

The Aloha Festivals are an annual series of free cultural events across Hawaii, featuring pā‘ū riders, local and international marching bands, hula hālau groups, and a wide range of other cultural performances.

More than 300 young musicians and dancers from Zarcero were among the invited international performers, debuting vibrant new uniforms and instruments as they showcased their talent to audiences from around the world.

During the festival, the band marched down Hawaii’s main streets, performing traditional Costa Rican folk music to the delight of thousands of parade-goers.

The performance was streamed on the band’s Facebook and Instagram pages, highlighting dancers in colorful traditional costumes alongside the marching band playing Costa Rican folk melodies.

The band’s next international appearance is scheduled for October 12, when they will perform as international guests at the Hispanic Day Parade on Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue in New York City, U.S.

This is far from the band’s first international performance. In 2024, they represented Costa Rica at the Rose Parade in Pasadena, California.

In 2019, the group performed at the Bands Fest in California, Disneyland Park Parade, and the Rose Parade, returning to Pasadena again in 2020 for the Rose Parade.

The band has also participated in the Central American Band Parade in Panama (2013 and 2017), the Central American Parade in Los Angeles (2017), and Italy’s Giulianova International Festival (2018).

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Have you ever seen the Zarcero Band perform in Costa Rica?  We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com