La Purísima 2026

La Purísima (or La Gritería) is Nicaragua's most beloved national celebration, held on the night of December 7 through the early hours of December 8 — the eve of the Immaculate Conception. Across every city and town, neighbourhood altars are built to the Virgin Mary, and at the stroke of 6pm, thousands of people shout '¿Quién causa tanta alegría?' ('Who causes such joy?') — answered with '¡La Concepción de María!' ('The Conception of Mary!'). Homes distribute sweets, rum, chicha, and traditional treats. In Managua and León, the celebrations are spectacular.