Discover the festivals and celebrations that animate the life of Colombians. Colombians have reasons to celebrate all year long! Each region keeps its traditions and culture alive with carnivals, fairs and festivals. Come celebrate and discover the heart and joy of Colombians! Discover in this section our calendar with all the unmissable Colombian events!

Cultural events in January (100% tourism)

The winter months are the driest and sunniest. This is the high season and therefore the prices are the highest. It is necessary to plan your trip in advance.

Events and Holidays:

  • January 2 to 7, 2022: the Carnival of Negros y Blancos (Black and White), one of the biggest festivals in Colombia in the city of Pasto. This traditional carnival has been recognized as a World Immaterial Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
  • Every 2 years from the first Friday of the month to the following Wednesday, the Carnival of Riosucio also known as Carnival del Diablo, takes place in the small town of Riosucio is one of the most authentic carnivals, it has existed since 1847. This parade of “devils” is a typical and totally picturesque event where many cultural events of magic, poetry and concerts take place in the streets of the village.
  • Every year during the second week of January, the Feria de Manizales: This cultural event takes place during the feria you can enjoy great concerts, bullfights and the election of “Miss Coffee”.
  • Every year at the end of January in Cartagena, Hay Festival: This prestigious event is one of the largest literature festivals in Latin America. This event with renowned guests takes place at the same time in Riohacha, Medellin and Cartagena.
  • January 6: Dia de los Reyes Magos (Epiphany)
carnival black and white Pasto
Carnaval negro y blanco Pasto @Carnavalpasto

Cultural events in February (60% tourism) 

The month of February also has a very good climate. There are fewer tourists than the two previous months.

Events and Holidays:

  • February 18, 2022: La Guacherna, it is a pre-carnival in Barranquilla that consists of a night parade starting at 7pm.
  • February 24 to March 1, 2022: Carnavales del Fuego in San Andres de Tumaco. Is one of the most important carnivals in the Pacific region.
  • February 26 to March 1, 2022: the Carnival of Barranquilla, the 3rd most important Carnival in the world (after the Rio Carnival and the Venice Carnival). With more than one million participants. It lasts 4 days before the beginning of Lent. It was classified as Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO in 2003.
carnival of barranquilla
carnival of barranquilla @Juanjavierpulido

Cultural events in March (60% tourism) 

The dry season ends in March but rainfall is usually short during the day. 

Events and Holidays:

  • March 19: Dia de San José 
  • Festival internacional de cine in Cartagena: This is one of the largest film festivals in Latin America. It features primarily Colombian and Latin American films and offers free screenings all day, often outdoors.

Cultural events in April (40% tourism) 

It is the rainy season in most of the country. It is still possible to visit.

Events and Holidays:

  • April 10 to 16, 2022: Semana Santa, religious festival the holy week commemorates the Passion and Death of Christ for a week. Many religious processions can be admired as in Mompox or Popayan where you will find the most beautiful. This is a week when many Colombians travel and hotels and transportation are more expensive and require advance reservations. 
  • Festival de la Luna Verde: This Reggae music festival takes place on the Caribbean islands of San Andres and Providencia. Also called “green moon”, it takes place over 3 days and pays tribute to the Afro-Caribbean people. 
  • Every year for 5 days in late April-early May, the Festival de la Leyenda Vallenata : This festival of the famous Colombian music, the vallenato. This folkloric event is one of the most important and festive in Colombia. 
  • Every 2 years in the Colombian capital, the Festival Iberoamericano de Teatro: This festival of theater, and of the performing arts in general, is world-famous and is one of the largest in the world.

Cultural events in May (40% of tourism) 

It is the rainy season in most of the country. It is still possible to visit. There is less tourism which allows for better rates and more availability.

Events and Holidays:

  • May 1: Dia del Trabajo (Labor Day)

Cultural events in June (40% tourism) 

June is an intermediate month, it is not yet the full season but there are some tourists. It is the end of the rainy season and the beginning of the dry season in many parts of the country.

Events and Holidays:

  • Torneo Internacional del Joropo in Villavicencio: At the gates of the Llanos region takes place every year for 5 days this traditional Llanera music festival. For more information about the region, read our Practical Guide to the Llanos Region.
  • Festival Folclórico y reinado nacional del Bambuco: This festival takes place in the city of Neiva and is a beauty contest. Bambuco is a traditional dance of the region that you can enjoy in parades and demonstrations. 
  • 4 and 5, July 28 and 29, 2021, the festival of the sea: a tribute is paid to the women of Santa Marta who sail on a beautiful sea but it requires courage and a lot of tenacity. It is also an opportunity to promote tourism activities such as water sports, cultural and musical, dances and entertainment. During the festivities, the National and International Reign of the Sea and the National Water and Beach Games are held.
  • June 4: Corpus Christi
  • 11 juin : The Sacred Heart of Jesus 

Cultural events in July (70% tourism) 

The summer months are dry and sunny. This is the high season and therefore the prices are the highest. It is necessary to plan your trip in advance as there are many international tourists with the summer vacations.

Events and Holidays:

  • July 1: Jeep Parade in the Quindio Desfile de Yipao The Yipao Parade is a display of vehicles of the Willys Jeep that parade through the roads of the main cities and municipalities of the Eje cafetero region in Colombia and show. The word Yipao comes from the name of the vehicle itself, from Jeep would be “Jeepao”.
  • Every year on July 4, the fiesta del Grito de Independencia in Pamplona: This event takes place on the day of independence from the Spanish Crown on July 4, 1810. Find in Pamplona many festivities such as processions, concerts, traditional dances, bullfights and beauty contests.
  • Every year for 3 days in late July,Colombiamoda in Medellin: This fashion event is one of the most important in Colombia. Capital of fashion, Medellin invites the greatest designers of the country.
  • July 2: Day of San Pedro and San Pablo
  • July 20: Dia de la Independencia (National Day).
defile de Yipao Region du cafe Colombie @laureAC
Défile de Yipao, Région du café Colombie @laureAC

Cultural events in August (70% tourism) 

The summer months are dry and sunny. This is the high season and therefore the prices are the highest. It is necessary to plan your trip in advance as there are many international tourists with the summer vacations.

Events and Holidays:

  • August 6 to 15, 2021: Feria de las Flores in Medellín, the flower festival takes place over ten days during which there are many shows and floral exhibitions. It is one of the largest horticultural events in the world.
feria de las flores medellin @javierpress
Feria de las flores, Medellin @Javierpress
  • Every summer, the festival del Viento y de las Cometas in Villa de Leyva: Known in Colombia as the month of kites. These summer celebrations can be found all over Colombia, but Villa de Leyva has a unique celebration. For 3 days, the sky is filled with colors.
  • 3 days in May, June or August, the Festival de la Cultura Wayúu in Uribia: Uribia is the indigenous capital of Guajira, and of Colombia in general. This festival honors the Wayúu culture in the presence of sculptors, musicians, traditional doctors or storytellers.
  • Rock Festivalal Parque de Bogotá: Over 3 days, this free rock music festival takes place outdoors in the Simon Bolivar Metropolitan Park, the largest in the city. There are also concerts in the outdoor theater Media Torta.
  • Every year, the Festival Petronio Álvarez in Cali: this music festival honors the rhythms of the Pacific coast. It is one of the most festive events where you will learn a little more about the traditions and music of this unusual culture.
Petronio Cali @laureAC
Petronio Cali @laureAC
  • August 5 and 6: Bogotá Carnival
  • August 7 : Batalla de Boyacá 
  • August 20: The Assumption of Our Lady 

Cultural events in September (30% tourism) 

September is a “calm” month in Colombia. It is the beginning of the rainy season in a large part of the country, but it is possible to have several days without rain.

  • Every year for a week between September and October, the Festival Mundial de Salsa in Cali: We can call this cultural event, the premises of the Feria de Cali. The best salsa dancers in the world meet in extraordinary performances, concerts, expo and conferences.
  • Every year in early September, the Simon Bolivar Park, the Festival Jazz al Parque in Bogotá: honors Jazz music in numerous concerts.
  • International Theater Festival in Manizales: This international festival lasts for a week every year in early September. It is a must-see event in the coffee region.

Cultural events in October (20% tourism) 

October is the low season and rainy season in Colombia, there is relatively little tourism during this month, you will not be disturbed by the crowd.

Events and Holidays:

  • Hip Hop al Parque: Every year, Bogotá’s Simón Bolívar Park hosts the biggest hip hop festival in Latin America.
  • Fiestas de San Pacho in Quibdó: In the Chocó region, this grand parade in honor of St. Francis of Assisi (San Pacho) is listed as a UNESCO Cultural and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. During this event, the inhabitants parade in costume and dance to local rhythms.
  • 15 de octubre : Dia de la Raza

Cultural events in November (20% tourism) 

November is the low season and rainy season in Colombia, there is relatively little tourism during this month, you will not be disturbed by the crowd.

Events and Holidays:

  • Beauty Pageant and Independence of Cartagena de Indias: Cartagena de Indias is where Miss Colombia is elected every year. At the same time, parades and festivities are held to celebrate the independence of the city which took place on November 11, 1811. 
  • For 3 days at the end of the month, the festival Internacional de Música Popular Amazonesse in Leticia: El Pirarucú de Oro, this cultural and musical event pays tribute to the rich Amazonian culture and traditions.
  • November 5: Independencia de Cartagena, marks the day of independence of the city after 10 years of rebellion against Spain.

Cultural events in December (100% tourism) 

December is the high season and the beginning of the dry season in Colombia, there is a lot of tourism during this month, especially at the end of the month with the holidays.

Events :

  • December 25-30, the Feria de Cali: This is the most anticipated global salsa event in Cali (and for salsa lovers around the world). The festivities begin with a horse procession and end with wild parties where they dance salsa caleña until the end of the night.
  • Festival de Luces in Villa de Leyva: This primarily visual event takes place over 2 days in early December. The “noche de Velitas” is celebrated there as everywhere in the country, in honor of the Immaculate Conception. In addition, the city is illuminated with a thousand lights and many fireworks are fired into the sky, the greatest pyrotechnicians in the world participate in this event.
  • December 8, 2021: the Carnaval de Mitos y Leyendas in Medellín
  • December 8: Inmaculada Concepción (Immaculate Conception)

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