Backpacking Diplomacy Andy's Travel Blog: Travel tips, culture, and more
The time has come. The schedule is made, the 2026 Yauco National Coffee Festival will take place from February 22nd to March 1st. The Yauco Coffee Festival, known locally as Festival Nacional del Café de Yauco Freddie León Maldonado will kick off its 51st annual event honoring the coffee harvest on the morning of February 22nd.
2026 Yauco Coffee Festival Schedule
February 22nd (Sunday)
- 9:00 AM
- Procession with horses and livestock (Cuarta Carrera Hipódromo Camarero)
- 10:00 AM
- Official 51st Annual Festival Kickoff (Festival Comienza En El Campo)
- Location: Parque de Pelota las Parcelas – Google Maps
- Official 51st Annual Festival Kickoff (Festival Comienza En El Campo)
February 23rd (Monday)
- 5:30 AM
- Diana por el Área Urbana Banda Escolar de Yauco
February 25th (Wednesday)
- 7:00 PM
- Official Festival Poster Unveiling (Develación del Afiche)
- Location: Oficina Seguros Javier Calderón #7 Calle Prolongación 25 De Julio, Yauco – Google Maps
- Official Festival Poster Unveiling (Develación del Afiche)
February 26th (Thursday)
- 7:00 PM
- Night of dancing (Noche de la Danza)
February 27th (Friday)
- 8:00 AM
- Children’s Day Awards Ceremony for Literature, Painting and Posters (Día del Niño Premiación Literatura, Pintura y Cartel)
- 9:00 AM
- Artisan and handicraft market – local arts and crafts (Feria De Artesanías)
- Location: Fernando de Pacheco y Matos Public Plaza – Google Maps
- Artisan and handicraft market – local arts and crafts (Feria De Artesanías)
- 9:30 AM
- Show del Payaso Flacumbo y Payasita Lilin
- 1:00 PM
- Joe y Sus Cocolos
- 3:30 PM
- Saboriquén
- 5:00 PM
- Odilio González
- 7:00 PM
- Son Libre
- 8:00 PM
- Ricardo Bomba con Trovadores
- 9:00 PM
- Milton y Su Compañía Jíbara
- 10:00 PM
- Harold Pratts y Jíbara Banda
- 11:30 PM
- Los Rivera Destino
February 28th (Saturday)
- 9:00 AM
- Local Arts and Crafts Market (Feria De Artesanías)
- Location: Fernando de Pacheco y Matos Public Plaza – Google Maps
- Local Arts and Crafts Market (Feria De Artesanías)
- 1:00 PM
- Hermanos de la Cultura
- 3:00 PM
- Tipicorengue
- 4:30 PM
- Entre Boleros y Son
- 5:30 PM
- Los Guardiola
- 7:30 PM
- Noche de Homenajes
- 9:00 PM
- Julio César Sanabria
- 10:30 PM
- Barreto «el Show»
- 12:00 AM
- Algarplena
March 1st (Sunday)
- 10:00 AM
- The Farmer’s Mass – a Catholic Sunday service honoring coffee and the local people who cultivate it (locally called la Misa Jíbara)
- Location: Our Lady of the Rosary Parish Catholic Church (Iglesia Nuestra Señora del Rosario)
- The Farmer’s Mass – a Catholic Sunday service honoring coffee and the local people who cultivate it (locally called la Misa Jíbara)
- 11:00 AM
- Roosters (Botas de Gallos)
- 1:00 PM
- Festival Parade of Floats (Desfile de Carrozas)
- Location: Various locations. Begins as Coliseo Raúl “Pipote” Oliveras and follows the road to Fernando de Pacheco y Matos Public Plaza. Anywhere along the road you can enjoy the parade.
- Festival Parade of Floats (Desfile de Carrozas)
- 3:00 PM
- Troubadour Competition (Concurso de Trovadores)
- Location: Fernando de Pacheco y Matos Public Plaza – Google Maps
- Troubadour Competition (Concurso de Trovadores)
- 9:30 PM
- La Tribu de Abrante
Festival Location
The festival primarily takes place in Fernando de Pacheco y Matos Public Plaza of Yauco. There are a few specific events in different locations, but the party almost always ends at this plaza.
What to Expect
The Yauco Coffee Festival offers something for everyone. Visitors can enjoy:
- Freshly brewed local coffee and tastings from regional producers and cafeteros of Yauco
- Artisan markets featuring handmade crafts and local goods
- Credit cards are likely accepted at many locations but bring cash if you can!
- Live music and dance performances that bring the Fernando de Pacheco y Matos Public Plaza to life
- Traditional Puerto Rican street food, from savory classics to sweet treats
- Family-friendly activities and entertainment throughout the day
- Accommodation in Yauco – there are a number of AirBnBs in the Yauco areas as well as a few hotels which are within a few minutes’ drive. Hotel Vista Verde is the closet hotel.
Whether you’re sampling a rich espresso, learning about coffee cultivation, or simply strolling through the lively streets, the festival captures the warmth and hospitality that define Puerto Rican culture.
A Tradition Rooted in Coffee Excellence
Often called the “Coffee City” and the coffee capital of Puerto Rico, Yauco has a long and proud history of cultivating high-quality coffee in the island’s mountainous southwest. The festival began over five decades ago as a way to honor local farmers and showcase the region’s coffee culture. Today, it has grown into one of the town’s most anticipated annual events, drawing visitors from across Puerto Rico and beyond.
Join the Celebration
As the festival marks its 51st year, it continues to honor the farmers, roasters, and families who keep Yauco’s coffee legacy alive. It’s a perfect opportunity to support local producers, discover new flavors, and experience the vibrant traditions of the region.
If you’re planning a visit, or simply looking for a joyful community celebration, the Yauco Coffee Festival is the place to be this year. Bring your love of coffee, your appetite, and your sense of adventure, and come celebrate one of Puerto Rico’s most cherished cultural events. Yauco welcomes you!
