Arecibo’s ‘fiestas patronales’ set for April 30-May 4

Arecibo Mayor Carlos Ramírez Irizarry

By The Star Staff

Arecibo Mayor Carlos “Tito” Ramírez Irizarry announced on Sunday that the traditional 2025 Patron Saint Festivities will be held from Wednesday, April 30 to Sunday, May 4 in front of the San Felipe Apóstol Cathedral, with musical production by Tommy Stuart.

“For us it is of great satisfaction to present this itinerary to our people and visitors from all over Puerto Rico who are invited to share with us these five days of events, in addition to the parish itinerary,” the mayor said.

The activities begin at 7 p.m. on Wednesday the 30th of this month with Los Selectos, followed by Camínalo (in tribute to the Caballero de la Salsa) at 8:30 p.m. and closing with Bonny Cepeda at 10:30 p.m. On Thursday, May 1, activities begin at 6 p.m. with DJ Netty, followed by Nigel at 7 p.m. and Johnny Rivera at 8:30 p.m. Merengue singer Giselle takes the stage at 10:30 p.m.

On Friday, May 2, Generaro and Pirulo perform at 7 p.m., followed by Don Perigñon and His Orchestra. Closing the night will be Manny Manuel and His Orchestra, which begins at 11 p.m. On Saturday, May 3, the parade and coronation is at 6 p.m., followed by the music of Manolo Ramos at 9:30 p.m. and El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico at 11 p.m.

On Sunday, May 4, Michael Stuart’s Rumba Capitana will take place at the Placita Buenos Aires, starting at 2 p.m. with Luis González, “El Tsunami de la Salsa,” Michael Stuart at 4 p.m. and La Sonora Ponceña at 6 p.m. In the performance space in front of the cathedral, the Mulenze Orchestra will play at 8 p.m. and Toño Rosario will perform at 10 p.m. for the grand closing of the festivities.

On the religious program, Thursday, April 24 at 6:30 p.m. is the beginning of the Novena of Masses in honor of the patron saint St. Philip the Apostle, which will continue every day at the same time, until Friday, May 2, when the novena ends. On Saturday, May 3 is the solemnity of San Felipe, where at 5 p.m. the Eucharistic celebration will be held in the atrium of the cathedral, and at 6:30 p.m. the procession with the image of San Felipe through the main streets of the urban center of Arecibo.