This is a multi-day tournament with a Shrove Tuesday finale (the start of Christian Lent). This comes first since it is by far the most famous celebration in Paraguay each year. Carnival celebrations last several days before the start of Lent (approximately 90% of Paraguayans are Christians) and are similar to Mardi Gras celebrations in the United States and other nations.

Parades and pageants with music and dancing last far into the night in Paraguay. Carnival is celebrated in several cities, but Encarnación is by far the largest. The bright Carnival in Paraguay attracts visitors from all around the world.

When: February

Where: Paraguay, Encarnacion

This day of celebration is held in February to honor Saint Blaise, Paraguay's patron saint. The most extravagant celebrations on this major day take place in Ciudad del Este, however, it is observed throughout the country. Expect plenty of food, music, and entertainment. The greatest celebrations of the Saint Blas festival take place in Ciudad del Este, which hosts a week of open-air events leading up to it.

The festivities begin with a sacred liturgy in Asuncion Cathedral, the country's capital. But, of course, everyone is welcome to participate in the fun. The Paraguayan dance Baile de las Galoperas, in which people of all ages dance and jam to a folk music band, is one of the most famous recreational activities.

When: February

Where: Cathedral of Asuncion

Verbena de San Juan is a Christian-themed festival, annually held in honor of Saint John. Nonetheless, it contains an intriguing blend of Paraguayan festive practices from many ethnic groups. People stepping across burning coals in front of onlookers, for example, is not uncommon.

The Verbena de San Juan is celebrated on the 28th and 29th of May every year, and many people consider it a must-see for tourists to the country. Although it is based on the Christian faith, the event is both religious and cultural, with odd traditions such as walking over hot coals providing a spectacle to behold.

When: May

Where: Saint John

Attend this beer festival, which is fashioned after its German equivalent and hosted in Munich every year, for an excellent look into the strange immigrant communities that have defined Paraguay. This celebration takes place in early September, around the same time as the German counterpart, with the primary events taking place in Asuncion when German descendants of Paraguay joyously commemorate their ancestry. It is considered one of the most famous festivals in Paraguay now.

The mayor of Munich leads a parade of breweries and restaurants, which is a long-standing tradition. Brass bands accompany the traditional adorned horses and carts to the venue. The formal beer barrel tapping follows the parade: the mayor opens the first beer barrel at 12 p.m. "O'zapft is!" exclaims the speaker. "It's been tapped!" The Oktoberfest has started.

When: in September

Where: Asuncion

Paraguay celebrates its Independence from Spain on May 15, the same day as the United States celebrates its freedom from England. After the United States, Paraguay was the first official country in the New World. Barbecues, soccer games, music, and plenty of beer, wine, and the national Paraguayan drink "mate" are common ways to commemorate the country's independence. Parades are also held in numerous towns and cities.

Outdoor gatherings of loved ones to play soccer, listen to local music, and host barbeques are common on this day. The national cuisine of Sopa Paraguaya (a zesty classic cheesy cornbread) and plenty of yerba mate, a traditional caffeine-rich drink crucial for commemorating Paraguayan cultural history, can be found at these lively cookouts.

When: May

Where: Campo Area

This is the festival for you if you enjoy the arts. The term "Nanduti '' is derived from a sort of traditional Paraguayan lace produced in the city of Itagua, which also hosts the main celebrations. The Nanduti Festival held the last weekend in July, involves demonstrations and displays of the region's arts, crafts, music, performances, and food. This festival is becoming more and more famous in Paraguay in particular and in the world in general.

When: July

Where: Nanduti

This yearly demonstration has been conducted in early July since 1970. It is popular among Paraguayans, coming in second only to the national sport, soccer. The rally's major stage spans the whole Gran Chaco, a wide and difficult terrain. Seeing some of the trucks struggle through the terrain is a good way to get a sense of the starkness of the landscape.

This is also known as the "Transchaco" rally or the "Chaco" rally, but they all signify the same thing. The Trans Chaco Rally is a huge automotive competition for resistance driving that was brought to the country in the early 1970s by a North American employee of a Paraguayan sanitation company. Since its inception, it has developed into an international rally, with thousands of people from Paraguay and around the world flocking to the Gran Chaco region to observe it.

When: July

Where: Gran Chaco

The Festival del Lago is the place to go if you want to truly experience and learn about Paraguay's folk culture. There is essentially a party that takes place around the Ypacarai lake, which is a lovely site to visit at any time of the year. The goal of this event is to honor the memories of great people who have become icons in a variety of artistic fields. Above all, it is to encourage art appreciation.

When: August - September

Where: Ypacarai lake

Every 1 January, Paraguay, like the rest of the globe, observes New Year's Day as a national holiday. However, the main party starts on New Year's Eve and peaks with the change of the clock from 11:59 p.m. on December 31 to midnight on January 1.

Streets in Paraguay are festooned with flowers and lights, and performances and celebrations are common. Just like in other parts of the world, it's customary to remain up until midnight to wish each other a happy new year, toast with champagne, watch fireworks displays, and set New Year's resolutions. If you're visiting the country at this time, Asunción has the best New Year's events.

When: in December

Where: Asunción