The French-Style Mardi Gras Festival Returns with Food, Music, and Free Activities ⋆ The Costa Rica News

The Festival a la Francesa will return on March 21 and 22, 2026, at the Aleste shopping center in Curridabat.

The event will be free to attend and will feature an atmosphere inspired by the French carnival, with food, music, art, and activities for all ages.

The event is organized by the France-Costa Rica Chamber of Commerce and the French Embassy, which invite the public to experience French culture.

One of the main attractions will be the market, featuring food stands offering pastries, beverages, jams, and other France-inspired products.

There will also be areas showcasing books, jewelry, and artisanal items linked to French tradition.

Over the two days, the festival will present a cultural and musical program featuring DJs and live bands.

The program will include interactive quizzes about France with prizes from Campus France and the Costa Rica Poetry Slam contest, organized by the Alliance Française.

The event will also feature a workshop and cultural experience area open to the public.

Activities will include watercolor workshops, umbrella painting, mask-making, and face painting for children.

The culinary area will include workshops with the French Embassy’s chef, Mauricio Víquez, as well as barista courses and tastings.

The program will also feature sports and recreational activities, such as a petanque tournament, children’s bike circuits, rugby lessons, and Zumba sessions.

The festival will close with a parade featuring a marching band and masked performers, combining the spirit of the French carnival with Costa Rican cultural elements.

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