In Nicaragua, Fiesta de Santa Ana, or the Feast of Saint Anne, is observed on July 26. Locals mark the occasion by parading with a statue of Saint Anne, adorning the colours of the island, and dancing to traditional music. Saint Anne’s Day is one of the many public Christian holidays celebrated in the United States, during which communities meet to eat, pray, and celebrate in her honour.
The background of Fiesta de Santa Ana (Nicaragua)
Fiesta de Santa Ana honours Mary’s mother and Jesus’ grandmother. Santa Ana or ‘Saint Anne’ is revered by the indigenous communities of Nicaragua, and Christians pray to the deity in the hope that she will convey their requests to the Lord.
The procession and afterparty are attended by individuals of all ages, ethnicities, and religious affiliations. The day begins with mass at a local church at 7:00 a.m. In the afternoon, residents participate in a street procession with a statue of Santa Ana draped in a garland and borne by religious champions. As thousands of devotees march to the tunes of a Mariachi band, a reverent atmosphere develops. Men in the audience pick up swords and fence in pairs, and professional dancers perform for the crowd while dressed in red, white, and black.
The celebrations stimulate economic activity among the city’s merchants and artisans. The streets are lined with artists, merchants, and local artisans selling their wares to attendees. Locals leave their homes for a night filled with fun games, traditional cuisine, and quality time with the community, flooding clubs and restaurants with partygoers. In addition, residents wear black jackets, white trousers and flower-adorned headwear. Some devotees also paint their faces black to assume the spirit of the demon and pay for their sins.
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FIESTA DE SANTA ANA (NICARAGUA) ACTIVITIES
Share a meal with your loved ones.
Participate in the festivities by sharing a meal with your family. Fiesta de Santa Ana is a spiritual experience that is best shared with our community and loved ones.
Observe the procession
The grandeur and splendour of the day’s parades are beyond description. Observe it for yourself through YouTube live broadcasts.
Read up on it
The colonisation and ensuing evangelization of Nicaragua by the Spanish are fascinating. Mark the occasion and honour one of the nation’s patron saints by delving deeply into Nicaragua’s Catholic past.
5 FACTS ABOUT CHRISTIAN HOLY DAYS IN NICARAGUA
Good Friday commemorates Jesus’ crucifixion and is observed the Friday before Easter.
Easter celebrates Jesus’ resurrection and is the most significant occasion in the New Testament.
On July 25, Fiesta de Santiago is celebrated in remote communities throughout Nicaragua.
Holy Thursday commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus and is a national holiday.
Fiesta de Santo Domingo celebrates Santo Domingo de Guzmán, Nicaragua’s patron saint.
FIESTA DE SANTA ANA (NICARAGUA) DATES
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | July 26 | Wednesday |
| 2024 | July 26 | Friday |
| 2025 | July 26 | Saturday |
| 2026 | July 26 | Sunday |
| 2027 | July 26 | Monday |
