The San Jerónimo festivities in Masaya, Nicaragua, are a celebration of culture, color and faith, making the city an ideal place to enjoy a unique holiday.
For more than 80 days (from late September to December), the city of flowers vibrates with fervor and tradition, as parishioners and visitors honor “Tata Chombo,” Masaya’s beloved patron saint.
This religious and popular event is considered one of the longest in Nicaragua, combining elements of spirituality and folklore that highlight the richness of Nicaraguan traditions.
Year after year, Masaya is transformed, decorated with intense colors, sounds of marimbas, chicheros and typical traditional dances. The streets are filled with devotees, tourists and locals, all united in a festive and welcoming atmosphere.
Procession of Saint Jerome
The fervor of the parishioners is reflected in the solemn procession of San Jerónimo, where thousands of people accompany the image of the saint through the main streets, showing gratitude and making requests.
Among the most notable processions are those of September 30 and October 7, known as “El Tope de los Santos”. The images of the patron saints come to pay homage to Saint Jerome, creating a spectacle full of color, faith and devotion.
Dance of Negras and Torovenado
The Baile de Negras is one of the most emblematic cultural expressions of the festivity, combining humor, satire and social criticism through dance, music and costumes.
The Torovenado is a unique folkloric troupe, in which bulls and masked figures participate. It satirizes social situations and is a form of expression deeply rooted in the history of Masaya.
Los Aguizotes
Celebrated on the last Friday of October, Los Agüizotes complement the festivities of San Jerónimo. During this activity, people dressed as ghostly figures and characters from popular legends—such as La Cegua, La Carreta Nagua, El Cadejo and others—walk the streets in a night parade, evoking the beliefs and myths that are part of the Nicaraguan identity.
