Many amusing activities are happening this weekend, including concerts, plays, festivals, cultural events and shows among many others. Kindly inform us of any weekend events taking place in your community by sending an email to news@amcostarica.com.

 

The Puntarenas Culture House will host a Christmas Festival, including plays, games and live music concerts. The free and pet-friendly event begins at 3 p.m.

On Friday and Saturday

Over $1 million is the plan to raise for the Children's Hospital during this weekend's Telethon fundraising initiative.  The 26-hour and free admission event will take place in San José's Moreno Events Center in Pavas Canton, beginning Friday at 10 p.m. and ending Saturday at midnight.

The International Surfing-Pro Festival will take place in Costa Rica's Pacific Coast. The multi-sport event will include surfing, BMX bike motocross, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), skating, and stand-up paddle boarding (SUP), among other sports. It will take place along the beaches of  Hermosa (in front of the Fuego del Sol Hotel),  Jaco (in front of the Amapola Hotel), Herradura and Tencio Park near Jaco Beach.  The sports event is pet-friendly and offers free entrance.

ExpoPyme Entrepreneurs Fair will be held at the Juan Santamaría Museum in Alajuela. The fair offers souvenirs, apparel, jewelry, furniture, and plants among many other products. The pet-friendly and free admission fair begins at 9 a.m.

 

The National Theater Company will host various Christmas Shows. The play "The Best Gift" will be performed at San Antonio Public School in Alajuela on Friday at 5 p.m. Also on Friday, the play "Messing up Christmas" will be performed at Santiago Public School in Heredia at 5 p.m. On Sunday, the play "Bells and Acorns" will be performed at 5 p.m. at the Nandayure Canton Christmas Festival in Guanacaste.   Also on Sunday, the play "Messing up Christmas" will be performed at 5 p.m. at the Porfirio Alvarez Park in San Mateo Canton, Alajuela.  All shows are pet-friendly and free admission.

The National Symphony Orchestra will offer two free Christmas concerts. The program will begin at 7 p.m. on Friday at San José's Barrio Mexico Catholic Church. On Sunday, the show will begin at 3 p.m. at Puntarenas' Esparza Catholic Church.

 

The Civic Center for Peace, in Pococí, Limón, will host a Costa Rican-style Christmas show, including a play and music by the National Music System Orchestra. The free and pet-friendly event starts at 6 p.m.

The Civic Center for Peace in Desamparados, San José will host a Christmas Festival, including plays and live music concerts. The free and pet-friendly event starts at 10 a.m.

On Saturday and Sunday

The Eugene O'Neill Theater in San José hots the Walking Over the Clouds show, which features the Andamio School of Theater and Dance. On Saturday, the show starts at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. On Sunday, the program will begin at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Tickets are $30 and can be purchased at the theater's box office.

On Sunday

Entrepreneurs Fair will be held at the National Museum in San José. The fair offers souvenirs, and jewelry. The fail also features the San José Township Orchestra concert. The free admission fair begins at 9 a.m.

The Lucho Barahona Theater in downtown San José is now showing "The Grinch" inspired by the iconic character of the 1957 children's book "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" created by children's author and cartoonist Dr. Seuss. The performance begins at 2 p.m. Tickets are $18 at the theater box office.

This weekend

The Costa Rica International Arts Fest (FNA2024), organized by the Ministry of Culture, will take place in downtown San José. The free admission and pet-friendly event begins at 8 a.m. The Festival website provides a schedule of all free shows.

Feria Hecho Aqui, or Made in Costa Rica Fair, is a showcase for crafts and souvenirs created by Costa Rican businesses. The Ministry of Culture is organizing the expo, which will be held at the Antigua Aduana Events Center in San José. The pet-friendly, free-admission event begins at 10 a.m.

The San José Municipality's Christmas Market will be held at the Central Park in downtown San José. More than 100 entrepreneurs will take part in the event, offering items such as toys, souvenirs, leather clothing, and jewelry, among others. There will also be activities for children, live Christmas music performances, food trucks, and a Christmas tree lighting show. The free entry and pet-friendly market opens at 9 a.m. 

The play "Salem Witches," will take place at the 1887 Theater, in San José. The show is based on Arthur Miller's 1953 drama "The Crucible" and features the National Theater Workshop. On Friday and Saturday, the play starts at 7 p.m. On Sunday, the show begins at 5 p.m. Admission is a non-warlike toy for youngsters aged 0 to 12, which does not require batteries and arrives unwrapped. Make a reservation by calling 8686-5913 or 8847-0821. This play is for adults only.

The Melico Salazar Theater in San José is presenting "The Nutcracker," inspired by the 1892 two-act classical ballet by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. On Friday shows begin at 8 p.m. On Saturday, there will be two performances at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. On Sunday, the two programs begin at noon and 5 p.m. Tickets range from $40 to $90 and are available at the theater's box office or the Eticket website.

The "Fuentes-Gasca Circus" will perform at the Colono Construccion facilities in Limon City. Trapeze artists, music, dance, jugglers, clowns, and magic are among the entertainment options featured in the event. The circus performs three daily shows, at 3 p.m., 5 p.m., and 7 p.m. Tickets are available for $6 at the circus box office.

The Lucho Barahona Theater in downtown San José is now showing "The Mummy," a funny performance with the comedian characters Juan Vainas and Chibolo. The play, based on a Halloween story, seeks to answer the following question: what would you do if you discovered a sarcophagus buried in your backyard? Friday and Saturday, the performance starts at 8 p.m. Sunday's show begins at 6 p.m. Tickets are $15 at the theater box office.

 

"Suegras Barbaras," or "Crazy Mothers-in-Law," is a comedy performance playing in the Triciclo Theater, in downtown San José. It is a comedy about a couple on vacation who, due to an unexpected circumstance, must travel with their mother-in-law. On Friday and Saturday, the show starts at 8 p.m. On Sunday, the comedy begins at 5 p.m. Tickets are $20 and available at the theater box office.

The comedy play "No Job, No Money" is playing at the Molière Theater in downtown San José. The comedy follows a group of friends who must go to crazy lengths to make ends meet. On Friday and Saturday, the show starts at 8 p.m. On Sunday, the comedy begins at 7 p.m. Tickets are $10 and available at the theater box office.

Libertad Park Club in Desamparados in San José presents activities for teenagers such as painting, dance, music, sports and arts. The free and pet-friendly event begins at 9 a.m.

Children's Museum in downtown San José features special activities for kids. The museum opens at 9 a.m. Tickets $3 are available on the museum's website.