This week marks the start of the 500th Anniversary of Old San Juan. During the next 10 months there will be carious cultural, artistic, gastronomic and business events to mark the 500 year milestone, culminating in the Fifth Centennial Regatta in the summer of 2022.
Opening events this week will include:
September 9
The exhibitions “Image, Art and Devotion: San Juan 500 years” and “The City in Time: Five Centuries of Artistic Representation of San Juan” at the Museum of Art and History of San Juan , from 6pm.
These exhibits will be officially open to the general public beginning September 15, Thursday through Saturday from 9am – 4pm and on Sundays from 10am – 5pm
September 10-12
Route of the 500 years – a free 2 hour guided walk developed by the San Juan Tourist Office that will be available in Spanish and English. The tour starts at Plaza de Armas and takes you around Old San Juan visiting; Catedral San Juan Bautista, Plaza La Rogativa, Castillo San Felipe del Morro, Museo Casa Blanca, Iglesia San José and Convento de los Dominicos
Tours will be held at 9am, 10am. 1pm and 2pm with a maximum number of 20 people per tour. The 2pm tour will also be offered with sign language. Reservations will be required and these can be made by calling 787-480-2910 or by accessing the official website of the Old San Juan 500 Years Celebration – 500sanjuan.com
September 11
Old San Juan will host the XXVIII Meeting of Mayors of Central America, Mexico and the Caribbean of the Union of Capital Cities of Latin America (UCCI).
September 11 – 12
There will be a variety of cultural and musical events in the various plazas of Old San Juan
September 12
The Holy Mass of the 500 Years of the Foundation of San Juan Bautista will be celebrated in the Cathedral of Old San Juan
Old San Juan will celebrate the Carnival of 500 Years of History in Plaza Colón starting at 2pm. The evening will end with the concert “Voces para San Juan” Ballajá Barracks, with local and international artistic performances Performing will be; Carlos Vives, Andy Montañez, Nydia Caro, Danny Rivera, Glenn Monroig, Milly Quezada, Alberto Carrión, the Ángel “Cucco” Peña Orchestra, José Juan Tañón, Victoria Sanabria, Caribbean Tenors and Ballets de San Juan, among others. This will be broadcast on Wapa TV, Wapa América and the municipality’s social platforms.
Voces para San Juan will also feature the premiere of the song composed by Richie Viera, in honor of the celebration of the 500 years of San Juan and that will be performed by the “Niño de Trastalleres”, Andy Montañez.
Other events to look forward to include: the longest Christmas in Puerto Rico, the welcome to 2022 and the traditional San Sebastián Street Festivities and the Great Regatta that will take place in El Viejo. San Juan.
Due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic the following will apply for all events:
- Participants, including special guests, will be required to present their proof of vaccination through the Vacu ID or by presenting the original of vaccination along with an identification card.
- The use of masks will be required at all times.
- Unvaccinated attendee, a negative PCR-type molecular test will be required performed at least 72 hours before the event.
- The events with the greatest participation of people will be held in open places for greater security with measure that we will avoid crowds in activities. The main activities will be broadcast through the social platforms of the Municipality of San Juan, through Wapa Televisión, Wapa América and other media.
More events will be posted on our Events Page and you can visit the office 500SanJuan.com website for more information
Sources: Press Release
