Radisson Royal Quito Hotel

Palm Sunday begins the celebration of Semana Santa, or Holy Week, in Quito. The faithful use their palm fronds to weave...

Palm Sunday begins the celebration of Semana Santa, or Holy Week, in Quito. The faithful use their palm fronds to weave decorative ornaments and families cook fanesca, a traditional fish and grain stew. Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Saturday are all public holidays in Ecuador. Quito's Good Friday processional is known throughout the country for its splendor. Statues of the Virgin and of Christ are carried through the streets, and penitents march with large crosses on their shoulders.

Hours: Sun, Apr 1, 2012 Mon, Apr 2, 2012 Tue, Apr 3, 2012 Wed, Apr 4, 2012 Thu, Apr 5, 2012 Fri, Apr 6, 2012 Sat, Apr 7, 2012 Sun, Apr 8, 2012

Carnival in Quito is a festival leading up to Lent. As in other parts of the world, there are parades and parties...

Carnival in Quito is a festival leading up to Lent. As in other parts of the world, there are parades and parties aplenty. Children look forward to the celebration as a time to get sweets and for another reason. In Ecuador it is a tradition to bomb any and all those around you with water balloons, paper bags filled with flour, eggs, tomatoes or any other substance that makes a big mess. These shenanigans aren't exclusive to the kiddies either! Many an adult party has turned into an all out water war or food fight.

Hours: Mon, Feb 11, 2013 Tue, Feb 12, 2013

Quito's yearly cultural festival lasts for the entire month of August. Concerts, dance recitals, plays, art exhibits and...

Quito's yearly cultural festival lasts for the entire month of August. Concerts, dance recitals, plays, art exhibits and myriad other activities are held at venues throughout the city. Most events are free.

Hours: Event times vary; call for details Wed, Aug 1, 2012 Thu, Aug 2, 2012 Fri, Aug 3, 2012 Sat, Aug 4, 2012 Sun, Aug 5, 2012 Mon, Aug 6, 2012 Tue, Aug 7, 2012 Wed, Aug 8, 2012 Thu, Aug 9, 2012 Fri, Aug 10, 2012 Sat, Aug 11, 2012 Sun, Aug 12, 2012 Mon, Aug 13, 2012 Tue, Aug 14, 2012 Wed, Aug 15, 2012 Thu, Aug 16, 2012 Fri, Aug 17, 2012 Sat, Aug 18, 2012 Sun, Aug 19, 2012 Mon, Aug 20, 2012 Tue, Aug 21, 2012 Wed, Aug 22, 2012 Thu, Aug 23, 2012 Fri, Aug 24, 2012 Sat, Aug 25, 2012 Sun, Aug 26, 2012 Mon, Aug 27, 2012 Tue, Aug 28, 2012 Wed, Aug 29, 2012 Thu, Aug 30, 2012 Fri, Aug 31, 2012

December 6 is Founder's Day, a citywide celebration of Quito's independence from Spanish rule. The week preceding the...

December 6 is Founder's Day, a citywide celebration of Quito's independence from Spanish rule. The week preceding the holiday is filled with parades and parties. Quiteños participate in Cuarenta (the national card game) tournaments and a beauty pageant is held to crown Miss Quito. Open-air party buses called chivas roll through town with revelers drinking and singing and generally cavorting. The festival is capped by bullfights on December 6.

Hours: Event times vary; call for details Wed, Nov 28, 2012 Thu, Nov 29, 2012 Fri, Nov 30, 2012 Sat, Dec 1, 2012 Sun, Dec 2, 2012 Mon, Dec 3, 2012 Tue, Dec 4, 2012 Wed, Dec 5, 2012 Thu, Dec 6, 2012