Feria de San Jose de Machiques

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Cultural & TraditionalMachiques
DatesDates TBA · Usually MarchCheck locally before booking
Duration1 dayListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forLiving tradition, ritual symbolsThis fair is distinguished by its recent
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: VES
CategoryCultural & TraditionalFestival type
The story

Feria de San Jose de Machiques in Machiques

The Feria de San Jose de Perija is an agricultural and patron saint fair held in San Jose de Perija, within Machiques de Perija municipality, Zulia state, around the March 19 feast of Saint Joseph. After a decade-long hiatus, the fair resumed in 2026 with cattle exhibitions, ranch pavilions, and mud-race competitions.

San Jose de Perija sits in the foothills of the Sierra de Perija, a cattle-ranching district of Zulia state near Venezuela's border with Colombia, where the rhythms of the agricultural calendar have long shaped community life.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

This fair is distinguished by its recent revival: after roughly ten years without a full edition, the town of San Jose de Perija relaunched its historic agricultural fair on March 19, 2026, drawing more than 30 participating ranches and over 10,000 attendees to the opening alone

02

The mystery stays covered

The livestock show evaluates milk and meat production in high-genetic-quality cattle and buffalo breeds, including mixed and purebred Brahman, Caroreno, Holstein, Gyr, and Guzerat animals, reflecting the cattle-ranching economy of the Sierra de Perija foothills

03

The city starts moving

Alongside the formal cattle judging, the fair keeps a rowdier local custom alive in the piques fangueros, informal muddy vehicle or foot races that have become a signature crowd draw of the San Jose festivities

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The fair pairs Catholic devotion to Saint Joseph with the region's ranching economy: cattle and buffalo are paraded and judged by breed and production capacity

Water and renewal

Living ritual

continuing a livestock-show custom rooted in the Zulia cattle country around Lake Maracaibo's western basin

The sacred route

Living ritual

The piques fangueros mud races are a distinct local custom layered onto the patron saint fair

The local code

Living ritual

giving San Jose de Perija's celebration a rowdier

Tradition 5

Living ritual

informal counterpoint to the formal livestock judging

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually March

Getting around

Stay close enough to the part of Machiques you will actually use, especially if the event runs late.

What to wear

Practical, rugged outdoor clothing suited to a rural livestock fairground in Zulia's hot, humid lowland climate; closed sturdy shoes or boots that can handle mud and uneven fairground...

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

For busy dates, stay near reliable routes so the return after Feria de San Jose de Machiques does not become the hardest part.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

VES

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map10.06 N, 72.55 WOpen in Google Maps

Machiques, Zulia, Venezuela

Nearest airportMAR — La Chinita
TransportStay close enough to the part of Machiques you will actually use, especially if the event runs late.
Stay areaFor busy dates, stay near reliable routes so the return after Feria de San Jose de Machiques does not become the hardest part.

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 Machiques via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Machiques, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for March.Compare faresFestival gearPractical, rugged outdoor clothing suited to a rural livestock fairground in Zulia's hot, humid lowland climate; closed sturdy shoes or boots that can handle mud and uneven fairground terrain, especially near the piques fangueros race area; a hat and light-colored clothing against strong sun.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 Feria de San Jose de Machiques?

Feria de San Jose de Machiques is listed for Past edition: 19 March 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Feria de San Jose de Machiques take place?

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

How long should I plan for?

One day 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?

Machiques, Zulia, 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 March
Source statusNeeds editorial review
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