THE 5 MOST POPULAR TRADITIONS AND CUSTOMS OF QUITO - CULTURE VOCABULARY - 2025

The traditions and customs of Quito are a landmark of historical, cultural, artistic and symbolic character in Latin America. Many of the practices and festivals that are celebrated year after year in the city preserve their origins from the pre-Hispanic and colonial times: for the people of Quito they mean part of their identity heritage.

The monumental effort for the development of sculpture, painting and construction have attracted countless people from Quito, visitors from the rest of Ecuador and foreigners to especially witness the “Quito Festivals”.

However, the great influence of other commemorations such as Carnivals, Easter and the film festival produced by the Center for Culture, Art and Communication "Cero Latitud" cannot be ignored.

Most relevant traditions and customs of the city of Quito

Election of the Queen of Quito

The "Fiestas de Quito" are part of the most important traditions of the entire national territory. They are a set of musical events, dances, parades and important gastronomic fairs.

The celebration of the festivities has been held every year since 1959, with the intention of highlighting Quito's identity.

The opening of the different activities begins at the end of November and ends on December 6, the date on which the founding of the city was commemorated in 1534.

The election of the Queen of Quito is held in order to raise funds for the most disadvantaged sectors of the city.

Since 1985, thanks to this tradition, a Foundation called “Reina de Quito” was created, which is in charge of empowering women through entrepreneurship.

In addition, this organization promotes through advertising campaigns the importance of reducing gender violence and cyberbullying.

After the coronation of the queen, the official opening of the “Fiestas de Quito” takes place.

Fellowship Parade

The Confraternity Parades are a manifestation of the cultural diversity existing in the city.

The most important are the North and South parades, however, small tours are also held in other places in Quito.

The residents and members of the schools, together with their musical instruments, sticks and dancers, are those who actively participate in this tradition.

The Chivas Quiteñas

Las Chivas Quiteñas are a set of old buses converted into mobile dance floors that run through the main streets of the city at night. They are an alternative way for visitors to see the most outstanding places in the city.

Currently, the Chivas Quiteñas are defined as “chivatecas”. Inside these vehicles, a drink that is also part of Quito's customs called "El Canelazo" is usually distributed.

Wooden car race

Wooden car races usually take place in the steepest places in Quito, especially in emblematic neighborhoods. In this tradition, children and adolescents between the ages of 6 and 16 usually participate.

The manufacture of the cars is usually made of wood. This celebration is considered "Cultural and Traditional Heritage of Quito".

Taurine fair

The “Feria de Quito Jesús del Gran Poder” was one of the most significant events of the Quito Festival until 2012.

However, a series of protests for animal abuse encouraged this tradition to be considerably reduced.

At present, events related to bullfighting proposals must cover the condition of not killing the animal.

After the measure, this tradition lost the great importance it previously had within the festivities, especially from the economic point of view.

References

1. Founder's Day in Quito, retrieved December 18, from: ecuadorexplorer.com
2. History of Ecuador by Enrique Ayala, retrieved December 17, from: repositorio.uasb.edu.ec
3. Cero Latitud: Culture, art and communication, retrieved December 17, from: cerolatitud.ec
4. Quito, Ecuador, retrieved December 18, from: newworldencyclopedia.org
5. History - Queen of Quito, retrieved December 18, from: fundacionreinadequito.org
6. Traditions in the Quito Festivities: santa-maria.com.ec