Fiesta de San Benito

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Religious & SpiritualBobures/Cabimas/Gibraltar
DatesDates TBA · Usually AugustCheck locally before booking
Duration11 daysListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forCeremony, pilgrimageSan Benito's veneration is one of
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: VES
CategoryReligious & SpiritualFestival type
The story

Fiesta de San Benito in Bobures/Cabimas/Gibraltar

The Fiesta de San Benito honours San Benito de Palermo, an Afro-descended saint, across Zulia state towns including Bobures, Cabimas and Gibraltar between December and January, with chimbanguele drum brotherhoods of vassals performing ritual percussion, song and dance recognised since 2024 as intangible heritage of Zulia state.

Along the southern shore of Lake Maracaibo, in towns such as Bobures, Cabimas and Gibraltar, devotion to San Benito de Palermo runs through drumbeats as much as through prayer.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

San Benito's veneration is one of Venezuela's clearest surviving expressions of Afro-descended religious devotion, organised around chimbangueles, ensembles of graduated drums, big drum or bombo, medium beat, respondon, and the sharp-toned small repique, played by cofradias of drummers and vassals who fulfil personal religious promises through the performance itself rather than treating it purely as festive entertainment for onlookers or visitors passing through the region during the December and January feast dates

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Chimbanguele drumming

Water and renewal

Living ritual

an Afro-Venezuelan percussion

The sacred route

Living ritual

song and dance tradition performed by cofradias of vassals fulfilling religious promises to San Benito de Palermo

The local code

Living ritual

also known as San Benito el Moro

Tradition 5

Living ritual

recognised in 2024 as intangible cultural heritage of Zulia state

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually August

Getting around

For Fiesta de San Benito, plan transport around the exact Bobures/Cabimas/Gibraltar venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Lightweight, breathable clothing suited to Zulia's hot, humid lowland climate around Lake Maracaibo; comfortable shoes for standing or moving through street processions and drumming...

Safety

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

Where to stay

For Fiesta de San Benito, stay near the part of Bobures/Cabimas/Gibraltar you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

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

Language/currency

VES

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map10.49 N, 66.88 WOpen in Google Maps

Bobures/Cabimas/Gibraltar, Zulia/Trujillo/Merida, Venezuela

Nearest airportVLV — Dr. Antonio Nicolás Briceño
TransportFor Fiesta de San Benito, plan transport around the exact Bobures/Cabimas/Gibraltar venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.
Stay areaFor Fiesta de San Benito, stay near the part of Bobures/Cabimas/Gibraltar you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

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 Bobures/Cabimas/Gibraltar via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Bobures/Cabimas/Gibraltar, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for August.Compare faresFestival gearLightweight, breathable clothing suited to Zulia's hot, humid lowland climate around Lake Maracaibo; comfortable shoes for standing or moving through street processions and drumming gatherings.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Venezuela 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 de San Benito?

Fiesta de San Benito is listed for Past edition: 27 December 2025–6 January 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Fiesta de San Benito take place?

The festival is listed in Bobures/Cabimas/Gibraltar, Venezuela. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

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

Is a source linked?

Needs editorial review. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Bobures/Cabimas/Gibraltar, Zulia/Trujillo/Merida, Venezuela

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 URLAwaiting confirmation
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually August
Source statusNeeds editorial review
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