From Def Leppard’s arena rock return on May 15 to a rare symphonic tribute to Héctor Lavoe on August 3, Puerto Rico’s summer calendar spans genres, generations, and stages. In between, you’ll find a flamenco-fueled concert by the Gipsy Kings (May 25), the islandwide plunge of Noche de San Juan (June 23), and a multiday celebration of classical music during Festival Casals (May 24–June 7). Whether you’re planning a cultural getaway or just looking to time your beach trip around something memorable, here are the season’s standout events for our Marco Polo Travelers.
May 15, 2025 | 8:30 PM
Def Leppard – 2025 Tour
British rock icons Def Leppard bring their 2025 world tour to San Juan for one night only, performing arena anthems like Pour Some Sugar on Me, Hysteria, and Photograph. Expect a high-energy set from one of the most enduring names in rock.
Coliseo de Puerto Rico. Tickets from $60. ticketera.com/events/detail/def-leppard-2025
May 17, 2025 | 8:00 PM
Tito Nieves – 50 Años: La Historia
Salsa legend Tito Nieves celebrates five decades of music with a one-night-only concert filled with timeless hits and unforgettable energy. Known as the “Pavarotti of Salsa,” Nieves brings his signature voice to the Coliseo for a major anniversary tour stop in Puerto Rico.
Coliseo de Puerto Rico.Tickets from $40. ticketera.com/events/detail/tito-nieves-50-anos-la-historia-yzxbha
May 25, 2025 | 5:00 PM
The Gipsy Kings by André Reyes
Founding member André Reyes leads The Gipsy Kings in a one-night-only concert blending flamenco guitars, pop rhythms, and global hits like Bamboléo and Volare. A high-energy performance that brings Mediterranean flair to the Caribbean stage.
Coca-Cola Music Hall. Tickets from $65. ticketera.com/events/detail/gipsy-kings-rnrcj6
May 24–June 7, 2025
Festival Casals
The island’s most prestigious classical music event returns with standout performances including Golijov’s flamenco-infused opera Ainadamar (May 24), a golden anniversary recital by Dúo Figueroa (May 25), and pianist Ingrid Fliter’s romantic repertoire at the Conservatory (May 29). Other highlights: guitarist Rafael Aguirre joins the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra for Concierto Antillano (May 31), while Apollo’s Fire presents a spirited Baroque voyage from Spain to the Americas (June 1). The festival closes June 7 with Mahler’s Fifth Symphony and cellist Mark Kosower performing Ginastera’s Concerto No. 2.
Various locations. Ticket prices vary. ticketera.com/events/detail/festival-casals-2025
June 1, 2025 | 5:00 PM
Jorge Laboy & Friends – La Trayectoria de un Ícono
One of Puerto Rico’s most versatile guitarists marks over 40 years of music with a tribute concert featuring special guests. Blending rock, Latin pop, and acoustic flair, Jorge Laboy revisits the standout moments of his multi-genre career.
Centro de Bellas Artes, San Juan. Tickets from $51. ticketera.com/events/detail/jorge-laboy-friends-la-trayectoria-de-un-icono
June 21, 2025 | 8:00 PM
Elvis Crespo – El Dueño de la Puntería
The #PoetaHeridoTour kicks off in Puerto Rico as Elvis Crespo returns to the island stage with a night of merengue hits and emotional storytelling. Expect classics like Suavemente alongside new material in a show that bridges nostalgia and rhythm for all generations.
Coliseo de Puerto Rico. Tickets from $40. ticketera.com/events/detail/elvis-crespo-el-dueno-de-la-punteria
June 23, 2025 | Evening
noche de San Juan
On the eve of Saint John the Baptist’s feast day, Puerto Ricans gather at beaches across the island for a night of celebration and ritual. At the stroke of midnight, tradition calls for three backward plunges into the sea to cleanse the spirit and usher in good luck—an unforgettable midsummer experience blending folklore, music, and moonlight.
Condado, Ocean Beach, and Isla Verde beaches recommended.
August 3, 2025 | 6:00 PM
Lavoe Experience
This symphonic tribute to Héctor Lavoe brings the golden age of salsa to life with a full orchestra, theatrical staging, and one of today’s top salsa vocalists performing Lavoe’s most iconic hits. A nostalgic and high-energy celebration of the “Singer of Singers.”
Puerto Rico Convention Center. ticketera.com/events/detail/lavoe-experience
stay close to all the action
Stay with the Marco Polo Collection in San Juan’s top neighborhoods—Condado, Ocean Park, and Isla Verde—and enjoy stylish accommodations to take advantage of all the island’s top cultural happenings. But even if you stay further out at Bahia Beach, the Northeast Coast or Palmas del Mar, you’re just an hour or less from events in San Juan.