Colombia is a country where music, color, and celebration set the pace of daily life, and there is no better time to experience its vibrant energy than by joining its spectacular ferias y fiestas (fairs and festivals). As 2026 approaches, these cultural events promise an even greater sense of pride, tradition, and joy, making them truly unmissable for travelers. Each festival pulses with the spirit of Colombia—offering not only historical significance but also the unique opportunity to connect with local communities at the very heart of their annual celebrations. In 2026, planning your journey around these iconic festivals is the best way to dive deep into Colombia’s cultural tapestry and create lifelong memories.
Here is your essential guide to the top 10 Colombian festivals you simply cannot miss in 2026. We’ve included meaningful city tours to help you dive even deeper into the experience.
A Journey Through Colombia’s Best Cultural Events
1. Barranquilla Carnival (Carnaval de Barranquilla)
When: February (four days before Ash Wednesday)
Prepare yourself for the second-largest carnival in the world, a spectacle so magnificent it was declared a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. The Barranquilla Carnival is an explosion of color, music, and dance where the entire city comes alive. The motto, “Quien lo vive, es quien lo goza” (He who lives it, is he who enjoys it), perfectly captures the infectious energy of the parades, traditional cumbia performances, and elaborate costumes.
To know more about the carnival, visit our experience page right here!
What to do in Barranquilla?: While in Barranquilla, take a cultural tour to explore the Museo del Caribe (Caribbean Museum). It provides a wonderful context for the music and traditions you’ll experience during the carnival, connecting you to the rich heritage of Colombia’s Caribbean coast.
1. Barranquilla Carnival (Carnaval de Barranquilla)
When: February (four days before Ash Wednesday)
Prepare yourself for the second-largest carnival in the world, a spectacle so magnificent it was declared a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO. The Barranquilla Carnival is an explosion of color, music, and dance where the entire city comes alive. The motto, “Quien lo vive, es quien lo goza” (He who lives it, is he who enjoys it), perfectly captures the infectious energy of the parades, traditional cumbia performances, and elaborate costumes.
To know more about the carnival, visit our experience page right here!
What to do in Barranquilla?: While in Barranquilla, take a cultural tour to explore the Museo del Caribe (Caribbean Museum). It provides a wonderful context for the music and traditions you’ll experience during the carnival, connecting you to the rich heritage of Colombia’s Caribbean coast.
2. The Flower Festival (Feria de las Flores) – Medellín
When: August
Medellín, the “City of Eternal Spring,” blossoms in full glory during its famous Flower Festival. This ten-day celebration is a tribute to the region’s flower-growing heritage, culminating in the breathtaking Desfile de Silleteros. Here, local farmers carry enormous, intricate flower arrangements on their backs in a parade that floods the streets with fragrance and color. It’s a deeply moving display of artistry and tradition passed down through generations.
Best thing to do in Medellin: To understand Medellín’s story of transformation, pair the festival with a visit to Comuna 13. This vibrant neighborhood, once a symbol of conflict, is now a beacon of hope and creativity, covered in stunning street art. Check out our private comuna 13 to witness their powerful story of resilience.
3. Blacks and Whites’ Carnival (Carnaval de Negros y Blancos) – Pasto
When: Early January
Another UNESCO-recognized treasure, this carnival in the southern city of Pasto is a unique and joyful celebration of cultural diversity. The festival’s most iconic days are January 5th and 6th. On the “Day of the Blacks,” participants paint their faces black to commemorate the one day of freedom granted to slaves during Spanish rule. The next day, the “Day of the Whites,” everyone covers each other in white talcum powder and foam, symbolizing equality and unity. It’s a wild, playful, and deeply symbolic event.
Enhance Your Trip: While in the region, consider an excursion to the nearby Laguna de la Cocha, a stunning high-Andean lake with a Swiss-inspired village on its shore. It’s a peaceful natural retreat that contrasts beautifully with the carnival’s energy.
Imagen de ProColombia
4. Cali Fair (Feria de Cali)
When: Late December (25th-30th)
Welcome to the “Salsa Capital of the World!” The Cali Fair is a nonstop, five-day party dedicated to the rhythm that defines this city. Expect world-class salsa concerts, massive parades like the Salsódromo, and dance competitions that will leave you breathless. Even if you don’t know how to dance, the energy is so contagious you’ll find yourself moving to the beat.
Enhance Your Trip: Immerse yourself fully by taking a salsa dancing class at one of Cali’s famed schools. Afterward, put your new skills to the test at a local salsa club for an authentic night out. It’s the best way to experience the city’s true passion.
Imagen de Feria de Cali
5. Cumbia Festival (Festival Nacional de la Cumbia) – El Banco, Magdalena
When: Mid-October (Historically)
Travel to the undisputed birthplace of Cumbia for the most authentic musical pilgrimage in Colombia. Held on the banks of the mighty Magdalena River, this festival celebrates Cumbia—the rhythm that became an identity-defining musical genre across all of Latin America. El Banco comes alive to the hypnotic sounds of the gaita (flute) and the tambora (drum) as dancers perform the traditional candlelit cumbiambas (Cumbia street dances). This event is a raw, powerful, and essential journey into the very source of Colombian—and Latin American—musical identity.
How to travel to the Cumbia birthplace?: Since El Banco is a remote, magical town, securing a specialized, managed tour package is highly recommended to handle complex transfers and accommodation. Ask about connecting with the local changemakers who are preserving the traditions of El Maestro José Barros Palomino. Take a sunset boat trip on the Magdalena River to truly feel the historical atmosphere that birthed this iconic rhythm.
Discover more of the unique festival in our experience page!
6. Petronio Álvarez Festival – Cali: Latin America’s Afro-Cultural Heartbeat
When: August (Historically)
Experience the soul of the Colombian Pacific at the Petronio Álvarez Festival in Cali. This is the largest Afro-cultural event in Latin America and an unmissable immersion into one of Colombia’s most vibrant heritages. Held every August, the festival transforms Cali into the epicenter of the Pacific, celebrating powerful and deep rhythms like Currulao, Bunde, and Juga. The hypnotic sound of the Marimba de Chonta—a UNESCO-recognized instrument—is the essential soundtrack to passionate dance, unique Pacific cuisine, and an incredible display of community resilience. It’s a mandatory pilgrimage for anyone seeking authentic Afro-Colombian music and a profound cultural connection.
How to experience Cali’s music culture?: Combine your festival visit with a dedicated Salsa dancing night in Cali, the Salsa Capital of the World, to experience the city’s other infectious rhythm. Look for our gastronomy tours within the festival to fully appreciate the complex, exotic flavors of Pacific Coast cuisine, including traditional beverages like viche. Get more information in our Petronio Alvares page!
7. Bambuco Festival (Festival del Bambuco) – Neiva
When: Late June / Early July
In the heart of the Huila department, the Bambuco Festival celebrates the traditional music and dance of the Andean region. The main event is the competition to crown the National Bambuco Queen, where contestants perform the intricate and beautiful Sanjuanero Huilense dance. The festival also features colorful parades, delicious local food like asado huilense (a special pork roast), and folkloric performances.
Enhance Your Trip: From Neiva, take a day trip to the extraordinary Tatacoa Desert. Its surreal, ochre-colored canyons and star-filled night skies offer a starkly beautiful landscape that feels like another world.
Imagen de Calendario Colombia
8. Sea Festival (Fiestas del Mar) – Santa Marta
When: Late July
Santa Marta, the oldest surviving city in Colombia, celebrates its anniversary with the Fiestas del Mar. This festival is a tribute to the Caribbean Sea, featuring water sports, concerts, parades, and the crowning of the National Queen of the Sea. It’s a festive beach party that combines cultural pride with the relaxed vibe of the coast.
What to do near Santa Marta?: No visit to Santa Marta is complete without exploring Tayrona National Park. Just a short trip from the city, this protected area is home to some of Colombia’s most stunning beaches, lush jungle trails, and ancient ruins. It’s the perfect natural escape.
9. Cartagena International Music Festival (Festival Internacional de Música)
When: January
Cartagena’s colonial charm provides the perfect backdrop for this world-class classical music festival. For over a week, historic churches, plazas, and theaters fill with the sounds of orchestras, chamber ensembles, and acclaimed soloists from around the globe. It’s an elegant and enchanting event that allows you to experience the Walled City in a truly magical way.
What to do in Cartagena?: Before an evening concert, take a rum an coffe tour in Getsemaní neighborhood. This bohemian quarter is bursting with colorful street art, lively cafes, and an authentic energy that reveals a different side of Cartagena.
10. Festival of Lights (Festival de Luces) – Villa de Leyva
When: December 7th
Imagine a historic colonial town, with its massive cobblestone plaza, lit up by a dazzling display of fireworks. That’s the Festival of Lights in Villa de Leyva. Held on the Day of the Little Candles (Día de las Velitas), which marks the unofficial start of the Christmas season, this event brings together some of Colombia’s best pyrotechnic companies for a competition that illuminates the night sky in spectacular fashion.
Enhance Your Trip: Villa de Leyva is a destination in itself. Spend the day exploring its charming streets, visit the unique Casa Terracota (a house made entirely of clay), and discover the region’s prehistoric past at the nearby paleontological museum.
Imagen de Sala de presna Gov. Colombiano
Prepare your 2026 calendar with any of these Colombian festivals where you’ll find more than just a party. You’ll discover a country that celebrates its identity with open arms, ready to share its stories, rhythms, and soul with the world.
If you want to secure your entrance to these unforgettable carnivals—or discover even more spectacular celebrations—reach out to us today. Let’s craft your extraordinary festival experience in Colombia!
