Fiesta Grande de San Roque

Fiesta Grande de San Roque de Tarija

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Religious & SpiritualTarija
DatesDates TBACheck locally before booking
DurationAnnualEstimate from available data
CrowdMediumAbout 80,000 people
Best forCeremony, pilgrimage01 Vow-driven dancing: chunchos promesantes
Language["es"]Currency: BOB
CategoryReligious & SpiritualFestival type
The story

Fiesta Grande de San Roque in Tarija

Tarija's Fiesta Grande de San Roque falls on 16 August and centers on chunchos promesantes, devotees fulfilling a personal vow to San Roque by dancing in feathered costume to the San Roque church, accompanied by erke horns and caja drums. Local tradition dates the promise-dance to an 1863 Guadalupe festival, later folded into the San Roque celebration. UNESCO declared the festival Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in December 2021.

Tarija's Fiesta Grande de San Roque falls on 16 August each year and centers on the chunchos promesantes, devotees who have made a personal vow to San Roque in exchange for restored health, for themselves or a loved one, and who fulfill that vow by dancing in ornate costume through the city to the San Roque church.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

01 Vow-driven dancing: chunchos promesantes fulfill a personal promise to San Roque, often dancing for years, giving the procession devotional weight beyond costume and music

02

The mystery stays covered

02 UNESCO recognition: the festival was declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in December 2021, formalizing a tradition already more than a century old

03

The city starts moving

03 Layered history: the promise-dance reportedly began at an 1863 Guadalupe festival before joining the San Roque celebration in the 1880s

04

The water draws everyone in

04 Fixed calendar date: unlike many Bolivian festivals tied to the movable Christian calendar, San Roque falls on a fixed 16 August each year

05

The old stones answer

05 Shared soundtrack: erke horns and caja drums link San Roque's procession to Tarija's own Carnaval Chapaco, even though the two festivals are otherwise unrelated

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Chuncho dancers fulfill a personal vow

Water and renewal

Living ritual

often made for a health recovery or safe travel

The sacred route

Living ritual

dancing for years in feathered costumes behind an image of San Roque and his dog

The local code

Living ritual

Music comes from erke horns and caja drums

Tradition 5

Living ritual

The procession moves from the San Roque chapel through central Tarija on 16 August

Tradition 6

Living ritual

a tradition UNESCO recognized as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in December 2021

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA

Getting around

Move patiently around ceremony routes and leave space for worshippers and participants.

What to wear

Comfortable shoes for hours of standing, modest clothing suitable near a religious procession, and sun protection or a light jacket depending on time of day, since Tarija's mid-August...

Safety

Watch local behavior before photographing, filming, or entering sacred spaces.

Where to stay

Stay near the part of the city you will actually use, with a simple return route after the main event.

Tickets/cost

Public ritual moments are often free, but donations, transport, or temple access may vary.

Language/currency

["es"] · BOB

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map21.54 S, 64.73 WOpen in Google Maps

Tarija, Tarija, Bolivia

Nearest airportTJA — Capitan Oriel Lea Plaza
TransportMove patiently around ceremony routes and leave space for worshippers and participants.
Stay areaStay near the part of the city you will actually use, with a simple return route after the main event.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Tarija via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Tarija, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for festival season.Compare faresFestival gearComfortable shoes for hours of standing, modest clothing suitable near a religious procession, and sun protection or a light jacket depending on time of day, since Tarija's mid-August weather varies between warm afternoons and cool evenings.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Bolivia and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Fiesta Grande de San Roque?

Fiesta Grande de San Roque is listed for Multiple months. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Fiesta Grande de San Roque take place?

The festival is listed in Tarija, Bolivia. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

Annual is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Tarija, Tarija, Bolivia

How big is it?

Medium: 80000

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLtarijaturismo.com
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA
Source statusOfficial source linked
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