The biggest street party in La Paz is a religious festival with a carnival feel. The "Festividad del Senor del Gran Poder", the festival of the All-Powerful, stems from a cult that developed around a painting of the Trinity of the early 17th century. The second person in the painting represents Christ depicted with native features. From the 1930s, street processions began, headed up by an image of a dusky Christ carried on a ceremonial bier. Nowadays the event has a strong folkloric element, with more than 50 "brotherhoods" contributing costumed participants, adopting varied themes such as Incas, conquistadors, colonialists and so on. Thousands of dancers follow the parade, their voluminous skirts twirling along the way. Eating and drinking plays a prominent role in the day's celebrations. Pinning down the date of Gran Poder can be problematic: this is a moveable feast of the people

Themes: Culture , Dance , History , Music , Food & Drink , Religion
Hours: From early morning
Cost: Free
Where: Streets of La Paz
Includes Calle Antonio Gallardo and Iglesia Parroquial del Gran Poder (parochial church)
La Paz, Bolivia

Getting there:
Foot: Celebrations take place in the centre of La Paz