The Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastián (San Sebastián Street Festival) take place every January in Old San Juan. The event is a blend of religious tradition and popular culture — with processions, live music, dance, artisan markets, parades of cabezudos (giant papier-mâché heads), and performances that spill through the cobblestone streets. It marks the unofficial close of Puerto Rico’s long holiday season.

Printmaking has played a central role in promoting and documenting the festival. Each year, artists create commemorative prints (carteles) that serve both as posters to announce the event and as collectible artworks. These prints often use silkscreen techniques developed in Puerto Rico’s graphic arts workshops (like DivEdCo and the Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña), where masters such as Lorenzo Homar and Rafael Tufiño established a strong tradition of poster art.

Because each year’s poster is created by a different artist, the collection of San Sebastián Festival prints also tells a story of Puerto Rican graphic arts — blending humor, social commentary, and vibrant design. They are prized by collectors and reflect how art, tradition, and community celebration intersect on the island.