SAN JUAN · Culture
Puerto Rico’s capital has a full second half of November: a European film festival, a reggaeton double bill, Miss Universe and three public holidays. Here is what is confirmed, day by day, from 8 November.
SAN JUAN — This guide is for residents and long-stay visitors planning things to do in San Juan in November 2026. Every event below was checked against the organiser, venue or ticket seller on 7 November 2026, and anything we could not confirm is left out.
For Americans, San Juan is easy travel: it is US territory, prices are in US dollars and mainland US citizens need no passport. Events that ended before 8 November are left out, and the film festival is already under way.
From 8 November: A Film Festival and a Dawn Race
Sunday 8 November, 4:00 a.m.
Lola Challenge Half Marathon (21K)
San Juan · Fee on the registration page
The final race of the Lola Challenge, a three-day running weekend. Expect early-morning road closures and register through the Lola Challenge website.
The next entry is the easiest cultural plan if you want something indoors.
From Wednesday 4 November
Puerto Rico European Film Festival
Fine Arts Miramar, a Miramar cinema, and other venues · Ticket prices not published online
The 17th edition of the island’s European cinema showcase began on Wednesday 4 November. Check the festival’s website for the screening programme and tickets.
Mid-November: Holiday, Reggaeton and Poinsettias
Wednesday 11 November
Veterans Day
US federal holiday
The day honours US military veterans. Federal offices close, and some banks and businesses may follow, so confirm opening hours before running errands. It is a good day for a quieter walk through Old San Juan.
Friday 13 and Saturday 14 November
Wisin: La Universidad del Perreo
Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot, Hato Rey · Sold out on 13 November
Wisin, the Puerto Rican reggaeton star, announced a second and final night after the first sold out. Tickets are sold through Ticketera, a local ticket seller. Ask the box office about any returns for Saturday.
Mid-November
31st Festival de Pascuas
Jardín Botánico of the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras · Free
A family festival built around poinsettias, called pascuas in Puerto Rico, with growers, local food and performances. This year’s edition honours the centennial of the composer Catalino Tite Curet Alonso. Check the garden’s social channels for the exact days and opening hours.
19 to 26 November: Holiday, Miss Universe and Thanksgiving
Thursday 19 November
Puerto Rican Culture and Discovery Day
Official holiday
Puerto Rico marks the day Christopher Columbus landed on the island in 1493. Government offices, banks and most businesses are usually closed. Museums may still open, so call ahead.
Saturday 21 to Tuesday 24 November
Miss Universe 2026
San Juan · Final at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico José Miguel Agrelot, Hato Rey · Ticket details not published
The 75th Miss Universe pageant builds over four days. The national costume show is on Saturday 21 November, the preliminary round on Sunday 22 November and the final on Tuesday 24 November. Check the organiser for ticket sales.
Thursday 26 November
US Thanksgiving
US federal holiday
Thanksgiving is a federal holiday on the fourth Thursday of November. Banks and federal offices close, so plan cash and errands for earlier in the week.
What It Means for You
If you are flying from the mainland, the busiest stretch is the week of 21 to 26 November, when Miss Universe and Thanksgiving overlap. Book flights and rooms early if you plan to be in town then.
Budget travellers have the better of the first half, with free events such as the Festival de Pascuas. Concert tickets, by contrast, are already sold out for the first Wisin night.
Banks and offices close on 11, 19 and 26 November, which can disrupt anyone mid-transaction. Withdraw cash and finish paperwork before those dates.
What Is Not Known
Ticket prices for the film festival, the Miss Universe events and the Lola race are not published online. We have not confirmed the exact days of the Festival de Pascuas, only that it falls in mid-November.
We also have not confirmed the venues of the Miss Universe costume show and preliminary round. We left out events whose dates or venues could not be verified.
Planning Your San Juan in November
San Juan uses the US dollar, so there is nothing to convert for Americans. Ticketera handles many local concerts, while races and film festivals sell through organiser sites.
For late changes, check the entertainment pages of El Nuevo Día, a Puerto Rican daily newspaper, and the events page of Discover Puerto Rico, the island’s tourism site. For wider context on the island, see our explainers on security and crime in Puerto Rico and Puerto Rico’s history.
Money matters are covered in our report on the governor’s push for power bill relief, which affects living costs for residents. Plan around that, and enjoy the month.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the biggest events in San Juan in November 2026?
Wisin plays the Coliseo on 13 and 14 November, and the Miss Universe final is there on Tuesday 24 November. The European Film Festival began on 4 November.
Are there public holidays in San Juan in November 2026?
Yes. Veterans Day is Wednesday 11 November, Puerto Rican Culture and Discovery Day is Thursday 19 November and Thanksgiving is Thursday 26 November.
When are the Miss Universe events in San Juan?
The national costume show is on Saturday 21 November, the preliminary round on Sunday 22 November and the final on Tuesday 24 November.
Is the Wisin concert still on sale?
The first night, 13 November, sold out. A second show was added for Saturday 14 November, and buyers should check Ticketera or the Coliseo box office.
Is there anything free to do in San Juan this month?
The Festival de Pascuas at the University of Puerto Rico Botanical Garden is free. It takes place in mid-November, so check the garden for exact days.
Sources: lolachallenge.com, festivaldecineeuropeo.com, discoverpuertorico.com, elnuevodia.com, plateapr.com, elnuevodia.com holidays, elnuevodia.com Miss Universe, hola.com/us. Retrieved 7 November 2026.
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated AI newsroom. Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief. How we use AI · Report an error
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