Cúcuta Holidays & Festivals

Festival

By Lorraine Caputo

Apart from the national holidays, Cúcuta has its own observances. February 28 is the commemoration of the Battle of Cúcuta; parades wend up to Loma de Bolívar (Bolívar Hill). Cucuteños celebrate San José, the patron saint, on 19 March with processions and fireworks. The city's birthday, 17 June, is another occasion for pólvora (fireworks), as well as civic events.

One holiday that is observed on a different day than the rest of the country is Mothers' Day, normally the second Sunday of May. The reason, of course, is commerce. In the early 20th century, goods yet arrived through Maracaibo Lake ports. One year the special goodies for Día de la Madre were delayed. So that the merchants wouldn't be stuck with the merchandise, the date for this holiday was changed to the last Sunday of May, and has remained so ever since.