Festivities of Quito

Festival

By Paula Newton

If you are in Quito during the last days of November and during the run up to 6th December, you cannot fail to notice build up of a distinctly fiesta-ish atmosphere in the city. During these days, Quiteños let their hair down to celebrate the Spanish founding of the city on the same date in 1534.

In late November, the festivities start with the election of the Queen of Quito. From this point onwards, in the streets you can see Chivas, or colorful open-topped buses driving through the streets, carrying as many as 50 people who may be dancing to the banda del pueblo (town band) which play on the top, or drinking canelazo, a potent alcoholic drink with a sugar cane alcohol and cinamon base. This happens night and day, with Chivas getting booked up weeks ahead of time for the early days of December.

For the ten days running up to and including 6th December, there are bull fights at the Plaza de Toros, the only time during the year when the bull ring is actually used for bull fighting. The fights are considered by most to be a high-class social event, and Quito’s elite flock to the fights, dressed in their finest smart-casual wear, donning cowboy or panama hats to keep the sun off. Many also have botas (wineskins). Those who can’t afford to go inside linger outside and in the surrounding streets in groups drinking beer and whiskey and dancing in makeshift discos.

On the night of 5th December, the partying reaches a climax and there are street parties all over Quito. A good place to head is the Carolina Park, as there will often be open-air concerts and fireworks. If street parties are your thing, head to Vancouver y Polonia (located behind the Petrocomerical gas station on Amazonas), where there is usually a DJ, decent music and plenty of dancing to be had. Needless to say, the 6th December itself is usually a fairly quiet day, with many Quiteños sleeping off hangovers.