Carnival (February)
Panama's Carnival is the country's biggest party, celebrated in the four days before Ash Wednesday. While Panama City has its share of celebrations, the real action is in Las Tablas on the Azuero Peninsula, where competing neighbourhoods (calle arriba and calle abajo) put on spectacular parades with elaborate floats, pollera costumes and culecos — trucks that drench the crowd with water. Book accommodation months in advance if you're going to Las Tablas during Carnival.
Festival of the Black Christ — Portobelo (21 October)
Every year on the night of 21 October, thousands of pilgrims converge on the small colonial town of Portobelo to honour the statue of El Nazareno, a life-size black figure of Jesus that has been venerated in the Iglesia de San Felipe since the 17th century. Pilgrims walk from across Panama — some for dozens of kilometres — many dressed in purple robes. The procession winds through the town's narrow streets. It's a striking and genuinely moving event, rooted in Afro-Panamanian identity and centuries of devotion.
Feria de las Flores y del Café — Boquete (January)
Held every January in Boquete in Chiriquí Province, this week-long festival celebrates the region's highland flowers and world-famous coffee. Stalls sell local produce, live music fills the main square, and coffee farms offer tastings. It attracts both local families and international visitors.
Semana Santa (April)
Holy Week is observed throughout the country, with religious processions in many towns. Penonome and Villa de Los Santos are known for particularly elaborate observances. Many businesses close for several days and beaches fill up with Panamanian holidaymakers.
Pollera Festival — La Villa de Los Santos (July)
The pollera, Panama's national dress, is celebrated at this festival in the Azuero Peninsula. Women compete in intricate hand-embroidered gowns that can take a year or more to make. A good window into the deep craft traditions of the Azuero region.