Feria de Esquipulas (Cristo Negro)

The Feria de Esquipulas draws hundreds of thousands of Catholic pilgrims from across Central America to venerate the Black Christ, a colonial-era wooden statue carved in 1594 by Quirio Cataño. Pilgrims line up for hours inside the Basilica of Esquipulas, and the surrounding town hosts markets, food stalls, and religious processions during the observance around January 15. (Date shown is estimated from the event's typical annual timing — confirm with the organizer closer to the date.)