Backpacking Diplomacy by Andy A blog dedicated to sharing world culture, travel tips and building community.
New here? This is the 2025 recap. For the full history, traditions, and what SanSe is about, see our complete guide: SanSe: The Complete Guide to the Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastián.
SanSe 2025 ran Thursday, January 16 through Sunday, January 19, 2025, across four plazas of Old San Juan. Carlos Vives closed Saturday night at the Quinto Centenario. El Gran Combo and Olga Tañón closed Sunday. La India, Vico C, Elvis Crespo, Willie Rosario, and Andy Montañez filled in around them.
The 2025 festival at a glance
- What: Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastián 2025
- When: January 16 to 19, 2025
- Where: Old San Juan, across four plazas plus the Teatro Tapia
- Stages: Plaza del Quinto Centenario, Plaza de Armas, Plaza de la Barandilla, Plaza Colón
- Admission: Free
The stages of 2025
Thursday, January 16
Plaza del Quinto Centenario
- 6:00 PM · Plena Libre
- 8:00 PM · Melina León
- 10:00 PM · La India
Plaza de Armas
- 5:30 PM · Grupo Gracimá (Tata Cepeda)
- 7:30 PM · Grupo Karis
- 9:30 PM · La Tribu de Abrante
Plaza de la Barandilla
- 5:30 PM · Eduardo Villanueva y Yezenia Cruz
- 7:30 PM · Son Diva
- 9:30 PM · Luis González y su Orquesta
Plaza Colón
- 5:00 PM · Plena Vida
- 7:00 PM · Abraham Velázquez
- 9:00 PM · Unción Tropical
Friday, January 17
Plaza del Quinto Centenario
- 6:00 PM · Pirulo y la Tribu
- 8:00 PM · Vico C
- 10:00 PM · Elvis Crespo
Plaza de Armas
- 5:30 PM · Junte de los Hermanos Sanabria
- 7:30 PM · Víctor García y la Sonora Sanjuanera
- 9:30 PM · Los Sabrosos del Merengue
Plaza de la Barandilla
- 5:30 PM · Barreto y su Plena
- 7:30 PM · Tuna de Cayey
- 9:30 PM · Luva
Plaza Colón
- 5:00 PM · La Migra
- 7:00 PM · Merari
- 9:00 PM · Joseph Fonseca
Saturday, January 18
Plaza del Quinto Centenario
- 2:00 PM · Victoria Sanabria
- 4:00 PM · Willie Rosario
- 6:00 PM · Jandy Ventura
- 8:00 PM · Súbete a mi Moto Tour
- 10:00 PM · Carlos Vives
Plaza de Armas
- 2:00 PM · Majestad Negra
- 3:30 PM · Edwin Clemente y su Bomba Jazz
- 5:30 PM · Rumba Caliente
- 7:30 PM · Andrés Waldemar
- 9:30 PM · Manny Manuel
Plaza de la Barandilla
- 4:00 PM · Christian Daniel
- 5:30 PM · Choco Orta
- 7:30 PM · Sophy
- 9:30 PM · Orquesta La Mulenzes
Plaza Colón
- 5:00 PM · Jíbara Banda
- 7:00 PM · Bri la Pelúa
- 9:00 PM · La Secta
Teatro Tapia
- From 10:00 AM · Teatro en 15
- 2:30 PM · Baile de Época
Sunday, January 19
Plaza del Quinto Centenario
- 2:00 PM · Norberto Vélez
- 4:00 PM · Andy Montañez
- 6:00 PM · Plenéalo
- 8:00 PM · El Gran Combo
- 10:00 PM · Olga Tañón
Plaza de Armas
- 11:00 AM · 2do. Concurso de Trovadores de las Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastián
- 3:30 PM · Zaperoco
- 5:30 PM · A Son de Guerra
- 7:30 PM · Kayvan Vega (salsa)
- 9:30 PM · Oscarito
Plaza de la Barandilla
- 3:00 PM · San Sebastián al Ritmo de la Bomba
- 5:30 PM · Orquesta del Residencial Luis Llorens Torres
- 7:30 PM · Tuna de Segreles
- 9:30 PM · Las Chicas del Clan
Plaza Colón
- 5:30 PM · Tambores Caliente
- 7:00 PM · Laberinto de Coco
- 9:00 PM · Algarete
Teatro Tapia
- From 10:00 AM · Teatro en 15
- 2:30 PM · Baile de Época
What the 2025 program tells you about SanSe
The trovador contest was only in its second year. Sunday morning at Plaza de Armas hosted the 2do. Concurso de Trovadores de las Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastián. For a festival five decades old, a two-year-old competition is a reminder that SanSe is still adding traditions, not just preserving them.
Sunday is still the day for the greats. Andy Montañez at 4:00, El Gran Combo at 8:00, Olga Tañón at 10:00, all on one stage. If you only get one day of SanSe, the anchor guide’s advice holds: Sunday is where the island’s canon plays.
The Orquesta del Residencial Luis Llorens Torres played La Barandilla. A public housing project’s own orchestra, on an official festival stage. That is the festival’s community character in one booking.
The Teatro Tapia ran a full daytime program both weekend days. Teatro en 15 from 10:00 AM and Baile de Época at 2:30 PM, Saturday and Sunday alike.
Our video from SanSe
Familiar scenes from the annual Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastián, shot in Old San Juan.
Where it all happens
Old San Juan, where the SanSe stages sit within walking distance of each other.
Planning a visit
SanSe returns every January on the third weekend. For the full history, traditions, the stage-by-stage breakdown, and current transit details, see our complete guide to SanSe. See also our recaps of 2014, 2015, 2019, 2020, and 2024, and our 2026 post for the current edition.
Coming to San Juan? Pair it with our Puerto Rico travel guide and our guide to Puerto Rican street food.
Follow along
- Facebook: Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastián
Were you at SanSe 2025? Tell us in the comments whether you made it to Carlos Vives or held out for El Gran Combo. We read every one.
This post covers the 2025 edition, which has concluded. Details reflect the schedule as published at the time. For the full story of the festival, see our complete guide to SanSe.
