Festival Nacional de la Pollera

View on map
MusicLas Tablas
DatesDates TBA · Usually JulyCheck locally before booking
Duration5 daysListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forLive music, late nightsThe festival is anchored to a very specific
Language["es"]Currency: PAB
CategoryMusicFestival type
The story

Festival Nacional de la Pollera in Las Tablas

Every July 22, the day after Las Tablas honors its patron saint Santa Librada, the town holds a festival crowning a Pollera Queen and judging the artisanship of the national dress. Instituted by municipal agreement in 1957 and formalized by national law in 1961, it awards the Margarita Lozano Medal, named for the first queen crowned on the church steps.

Las Tablas already had a patron saint festival, honoring Santa Librada each July 20, when the town's Lions Club decided in July 1957 to formalize a specific tradition tied to it: crowning a queen based on the artisanship of her pollera, the tiered, hand-embroidered dress that had come to symbolize Panamanian national identity.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

The festival is anchored to a very specific day in the Panamanian calendar: July 22, known locally as the dia de la media or dia sereno, the calm day after the more boisterous Santa Librada patronal feast, when tradition holds that women should wear the pollera to honor the saint

02

The mystery stays covered

That timing ties the pageant directly to Catholic devotion rather than treating the pollera as a standalone costume contest

03

The city starts moving

Judging categories separate the labor-style pollera, a simpler working garment, from the elaborate mountain or pollera de gala, evaluating the embroidery, lace, and jewelry craftsmanship of each, and the festival's top honor, the Margarita Lozano Medal, is named directly for the first queen crowned in 1957, giving the event a continuous thread back to its founding

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The festival honors the pollera de labor and pollera de gala

Water and renewal

Living ritual

judged for embroidery

The sacred route

Living ritual

and jewelry craftsmanship

The local code

Living ritual

on the day after the Santa Librada patronal feast

Tradition 5

Living ritual

a date known locally as the calm day when women traditionally wear the pollera in the saint's honor

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually July

Getting around

Use Las Tablas transport around the venue or route first; event-day controls can change normal timing.

What to wear

Light, breathable clothing for humid midyear heat; a rain jacket or umbrella for afternoon showers common in July.

Safety

Festival Nacional de la Pollera is easier with a small bag, charged phone and group plan that survives poor signal.

Where to stay

Stay near workable transport in Las Tablas, especially if the event runs late or streets close.

Tickets/cost

Ticketing varies by venue and stage. Confirm official passes before booking travel.

Language/currency

["es"] · PAB

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map7.77 N, 80.28 WOpen in Google Maps

Las Tablas, Los Santos, Panama

Nearest airportCTD — Alonso Valderrama
TransportUse Las Tablas transport around the venue or route first; event-day controls can change normal timing.
Stay areaStay near workable transport in Las Tablas, especially if the event runs late or streets close.

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 Las Tablas via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Las Tablas, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for July.Compare faresFestival gearLight, breathable clothing for humid midyear heat; a rain jacket or umbrella for afternoon showers common in July.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Panama 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 Festival Nacional de la Pollera?

Festival Nacional de la Pollera is listed for Past edition: 19–23 July 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Festival Nacional de la Pollera take place?

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

How long should I plan for?

5 days 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?

Las Tablas, Los Santos, Panama

Is it family friendly?

unknown

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 URLsicultura.gob.pa
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually July
Source statusOfficial source linked
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