Events for Everyone in Casco Viejo

Religious Events

Events in Casco Viejo honors its deep Catholic roots with stunning processions, candlelit masses, and revered Holy Week events that bring the entire community together.

Family & Community

From parades and school events to local holiday markets, these family-friendly happenings make Casco a gathering place for all generations.

Modern & Diverse Culture

Art festivals, DJ sets, rooftop soirées, and LGBTQ+ pride moments celebrate the colorful diversity of Panama’s most vibrant district.

Holy Week procession in Casco Viejo featuring the Descent from the Cross statue float surrounded by candlelight and crowds

Events in Casco Viejo, Casco’s Holy Week Traditions

Each spring, Events in Casco Viejo becomes the spiritual heart of Panama. For seven days leading up to Easter, the district transforms with candlelit processions, flower-strewn altars, and age-old rituals that trace back centuries. It’s a time when locals pause, visitors watch in awe, and the city moves to a sacred rhythm—uniting faith, history, and community in the streets of Casco.

Colorful street festival with traditional Panamanian costumes in La Chorrera

Carnival (Feb)

Panama’s legendary Carnival spills into Casco Viejo with colorful street parades, live music, and wild celebrations—one of the best Carnival experiences in Central America.

Aerial view of Metropolitan Cathedral in Casco Viejo, Panama, with a large crowd gathered in front

Holy Week (March/April)

From Palm Sunday to Good Friday, traditional Catholic processions wind through the historic plazas, candles lit, statues carried—deeply revered and widely attended.

Close-up of hands playing a saxophone at a jazz festival, highlighting the instrument’s detail and craftsmanship

Panama Jazz Festival (Jan)

Founded by Danilo Pérez, Panama Jazz Festival often stages performances and workshops in Casco’s plazas—jazz lovers flock here each January for music under the stars.

Crowd celebrates Pride Parade on Central Avenue in Casco Viejo, waving rainbow flags

LGBTQ+ Pride (late June/early July)

Panama Pride’s vibrant march flows through Casco Viejo at the end of June, featuring live performances, rainbow‑filled dance floors, and community‑driven celebrations.

Male model walking the runway at Panama Fashion Week in a stylish, layered outfit

MacroFest (Mar)

A multidisciplinary playground of fashion shows, street art, live music, and creative installations and Rooftop Bars—Casco Viejo pulses with energy during this celebration of creativity.

Restored mint green colonial mansion with wooden shutters in Casco Viejo, Panama

Casco Viejo Open House (Dec)

One weekend in December, private homes, historic landmarks, and hidden gardens open to the public—guided tours of architectural gems under heritage stewardship.

Discover Casco’s Spirit Through Its Year-Round Celebrations

Casco Viejo’s calendar overflows with culture—from solemn Holy Week processions to lively LGBTQ+ pride events, rooftop DJ sets, school parades, and artisan markets. Whether you’re here for a spiritual retreat or family fun, every season brings a new reason to explore the vibrant soul of the city.

Casco Pride Blog
Real People. Real Panama.

Faces of the Festivities: Events in Casco Viejo Captured in the Moment

From colorful street parades to live interviews and spontaneous joy, Panama’s event season brings together people from all walks of life. In Casco Viejo, the energy isn’t just in the events — it’s in the people who make them come alive.
TV reporter interviewing a priest on a street stage in Casco Viejo during a public event or cultural festival
Behind every celebration are storytellers, performers, and community champions — each one playing a role in creating unforgettable memories. These images are a small glimpse into the vibrant heartbeat of Panama, captured the Events in Casco Viejo.
Churches of Casco
Two street performers dressed as colorful clowns at Plaza Catedral in Casco Viejo, Pana
Photographer in black shirt capturing overhead shots with a telephoto lens during a live event in Casco Viejo, surrounded by a media crew

Casco Viejo Events – Q&A

What are the most important events in Casco Viejo?

Events in Casco Viejo calendar is packed year-round: Holy Week processions, Carnival celebrations, Panama Jazz Festival, LGBTQ+ Pride, Independence parades, the monthly Fourth Sunday event, and December’s Casco Open House. Each event turns the streets into a living stage for Panama’s culture and community.

When does Holy Week take place in Casco Viejo?

Holy Week falls in March or April, from Palm Sunday to Good Friday. Expect candlelit processions, flower-strewn altars, and statues carried through the plazas — a deeply moving tradition.

Is Casco Viejo a good place to celebrate Carnival?

Yes! Casco hosts one of Panama’s most vibrant Carnival celebrations with parades, live music, dancing, and outdoor parties that last well into the night.

When is the Panama Jazz Festival?

The Panama Jazz Festival, founded by Danilo Pérez, happens every January. Concerts and workshops fill Casco’s plazas and theaters, drawing jazz lovers from around the world.

Does Casco Viejo celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride?

Yes — every late June or early July, Pride Month fills Casco with parades, rainbow flags, live performances, and community events. It’s one of the district’s most joyful and inclusive celebrations.

What civic or national holidays are observed in Casco Viejo?

Casco is a focal point for Independence Day parades (November 3, 4, and 28), the November 10 “Grito de La Villa de Los Santos” celebration, and flag-raising ceremonies. Military bands, students, and civic groups march through Casco’s historic streets.

What is the Fourth Sunday Event?

On the fourth Sunday of every month, Casco hosts a special community event. Streets fill with live music, artisan markets, family activities, and a festival-like atmosphere — a perfect chance to experience Casco like a local.

What is the Casco Viejo Open House?

Each December, private homes, historic buildings, and secret gardens open to the public for one weekend. Guided tours offer a rare glimpse inside Casco’s most beautiful spaces.

Casco Viejo Event Fast Facts

  • Holy Week (Mar–Apr): Candlelit processions, altars, and church rituals through Casco’s plazas
  • Carnival (Feb): Colorful parades, live music, and dancing in the streets
  • Panama Jazz Festival (Jan): World-class jazz performances in plazas and theaters
  • LGBTQ+ Pride (Jun/Jul): Parades, rainbow flags, and community celebrations
  • Fourth Sunday Event (Monthly): Live music, artisan markets, food stalls, and family fun
  • Independence Days (Nov): Parades and civic ceremonies honoring Panama’s history
  • Casco Open House (Dec): Private homes and heritage buildings open to visitors
  • Cultural Festivals: MacroFest, art fairs, film events, and outdoor concerts year-round

Where to Stay in Casco Viejo

Discover the best hotels in Casco for recovery—quiet, stylish, and just minutes from Panama’s top clinics and hospitals.

View Hotels

Healthy Dining for Recovery

Explore Casco’s best cafes and restaurants with clean, recovery-friendly menus that nourish without sacrificing flavor.

Explore Dining

Gentle Self-Guided Walks

Take a scenic stroll through Casco Viejo’s historic streets—perfect for movement, recovery, and reconnecting with the beauty around you.

View Tours