October 31 in Costa Rica: A Tradition Beyond Halloween

We are all pretty familiar with October 31 as Halloween. Costumes, pumpkins, spooky characters, and trick-or-treating have become part of popular culture around the world. But here in Costa Rica, October 31 also marks a celebration of our own: the Day of the Traditional Costa Rican Masquerade.

It may not be as widely known, but mascaradas have been part of Costa Rican cultural identity for generations. Their history can be traced back to the colonial period, particularly to communities in Cartago, where masked figures known as mantudos appeared during religious and community celebrations. Over time, the tradition evolved, blending different cultural influences with local stories, legends, humor, and recognizable characters from Costa Rican life.

By the beginning of the 20th century, artisans such as Cartago-born Rafael “Lito” Valerín were creating characters that would dance through local festivities, helping shape the playful form of the mascarada that many Costa Ricans recognize today. The Gigante and Giganta, the Bruja, the Diablo, the Calavera, and countless other figures eventually became familiar faces at community festivals, usually dancing through the streets to the unmistakable sound of a cimarrona.

The date itself also has a story. In 1996, following an initiative in Aserrí to celebrate traditional mascaradas and strengthen local cultural identity, October 31 was officially declared the Day of the Traditional Costa Rican Masquerade. More recently, in 2022, the tradition received another important recognition when the Traditional Costa Rican Masquerade was declared a National Symbol of Costa Rica.

Today, the mascarada is much more than a colorful street celebration. Behind every character is the craftsmanship of mascareros who sculpt, paint, build, and preserve techniques that in many communities have been passed from one generation to the next. It is a tradition that brings together art, music, storytelling, humor, and community in a way that feels unmistakably Costa Rican.

Across the country, cultural institutions, museums, libraries, schools, and public spaces join the celebration with exhibitions, workshops, concerts, parades, and community activities. It is a day to honor the people who have kept this tradition alive and to celebrate a uniquely Costa Rican form of art that continues to evolve while remaining connected to its roots.

So, if you happen to see a mascarada this month, now you know there is much more behind those enormous, colorful characters than meets the eye. They carry with them generations of craftsmanship, stories, music, and a little bit of that playful spirit that has always found its way into Costa Rican celebrations. And perhaps that is what makes traditions like this so special: they give each generation a chance to have fun with them, while keeping a small piece of our collective history moving through time.