Virgen de la Candelaria 2025 in Bolivia

Each February, travelers from around the world gather on the sparkling shores of Lake Titicaca to honor Bolivia's Patroness, the Virgen de Copacabana. The Festival of the Virgin of Candelaria is so significant that it is celebrated twice—on February 2 and August 5. However, the vibrant festivities in this lakeside town stretch far beyond these two dates.

Festival Highlights

On February 2, the quiet fishing village of Copacabana transforms into a vibrant hub of music, feasting, drinking, and dancing, celebrating a blend of traditional Andean beliefs and Catholic traditions. What sets this Bolivian fiesta apart is the vibrant costumes and the lively traditional Aymara dances performed with great energy along the streets of Copacabana. Adding to the festive atmosphere are the delicious traditional dishes offered by welcoming roadside vendors and the abundant flow of beer, guaranteed to elevate the celebration's joyful spirit.

Origins

Our Lady of Copacabana, also known as the Dark Virgin of the Lake, is deeply revered in Bolivia for her miraculous interventions. According to legend, in 1576, Inca fishermen caught in a violent storm on Lake Titicaca prayed for deliverance. The Virgin Mary is said to have appeared and guided them to safety. In gratitude, the fishermen built a grand shrine to house a statue of the Virgin, sculpted by Tito Yupanqui, who had his vision of the Virgin that same year.

According to tradition, the Virgin Mary appeared to Tito Yupanqui in a dream, inspiring him to become a sculptor despite having no prior experience. Deeply moved by the vision, he traveled to Potosí to learn the craft, eventually hand-carving the revered statue. Yupanqui then carried the finished statue 400 miles on foot to Copacabana, where he placed it in a chapel. Legend says that the crops of those who doubted the statue's power were mysteriously ruined. Today, the four-foot statue is kept securely inside the Basilica de Virgen de la Candelaria, as believers fear taking it outside could provoke another violent storm. During festival days, a richly adorned replica is paraded instead.