Colombian festivals are characterized by being happy and partying, not in vain a few years ago it was within the top five of the happiest countries in the world, so its customs reflect feelings, experiences and beliefs through endless parties, fairs and carnivals that cross the national territory.
From north to south, and from east to west, at different times of the year, there are various festivals and fairs that reflect the joyful and partying spirit of its people, and as the saying of the most popular Colombian festival goes … ¡He lives, he who enjoys it! We invite you to take a tour around 5 of the most famous festivals and fairs in the country:
The Barranquilla Carnival, one of the most important folkloric and cultural colombian festivals, brings together emblematic expressions of the memory and identity of the people of Barranquilla, the Colombian Caribbean and the Rio Grande del Magdalena.
That is why the Barranquilla Carnival is recognized by UNESCO as a Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. There are 4 days of festivities where the cumbiamba, the mapalé, the Marimonda, the Monocuco, the Negrita Puloy take to the streets and light up the city in a celebration that seems to have no rest. It does not have fixed days since its celebration depends on the dates of Holy Week, since this Colombian festival is celebrated the 4 days before Ash Wednesday.
The carnival that is celebrated in Pasto, within the first ten days of the year, is recognized due to the fact that it is one of the most colorful, original and beautiful there is. The Carnival was chosen in 2009 by UNESCO as an intangible heritage of humanity for highlighting the maximum expression of the Nariño culture and enhancing the ethnic diversity of the country.
Dozens of events, which take place between January 2 and 7, include the Parade of the song to the earth, the Rockarnaval, the Parade of Choreographic Collectives, the Latin American Music Concert, the Parade of the Castañeda Family, the Day of Negros, White’ Day and the Cuy Festival (typical dish) and Peasant Culture.
This Colombian feast has become a showcase for the country due to its importance and the large number of foreign tourists that Cali receives year after year, the city called “heaven’s branch”.
In this feast, music is lived and felt, as the main protagonist of the party. Its main event, the Salsodromo, is the right time to admire the dancers of the best salsa schools. In addition to dancing and music, during these days there is space for old cars, crafts, gastronomy and much more.
Every year, thousands of Caleños and foreigners are carried away by the joy, the music and the rumba that, during the last six days of the year, is a single Colombian festival that does not stop until a day before receiving the New Year.
Medellín, the city of “eternal spring”, is embellished with the best flowers to welcome everyone in one of the most beautiful Colombian Festivals. Within the activities of the Fair you can find events for all tastes that will allow you to spend unforgettable days.
The protagonists are the flowers that are exhibited in the famous silletas. And on which, the paisas of pure strain put all their ingenuity and creativity to make spectacular designs. The objective is to highlight the customs and traditions of this corner of Colombia.
In addition, you can hear the troubadours, who improvise rhymes to the rhythm of the guitar and tiple through which they make comments and make fun of specific situations or people.
It is a Colombian fair that integrates the best and most beautiful customs of the region, from the culture with the parade of the silleteros, the troubadours with their rhymes, the parade of old cars and the music that make this fair one more party to live and enjoy.
As the main exponent of vallenato, the vallenato festival takes place in the Valledupar city, also known as the world capital of vallenato. It is where the son, the puya, the paseo and the merengue are celebrated during the last 4 days of April. They are the four characteristic rhythms of vallenato.
During these days, the parade of the piloneras and the central event that is the battle of the accordion players to be crowned as the new King of Vallenato is celebrated with national and international artists.
The vallenato festival is identified as one of the most recognized Colombian festivals, it presents folk music and various types of cultural events. In addition, the genre of the piqueria, the parranda, peasant poetry, stories, legends, myths, oral tradition, literary, socio-cultural and artistic expressions associated with vallenato.
Here are five of the most important and recognized Colombian festivals and fairs. No matter the time of year, somewhere there is a fair, party and carnival that seeks to remember everything beautiful that life offers us… And that of course, we have to celebrate.
