¡Fiesta! ¡Fiesta! ¡Fiesta! If there’s one thing Colombians love it’s a party…or a festival…or a carnival…or a parade. Colombian festivals abound all year long, and we cover the most important or most common ones in this article.
After reading about these festivals in Colombia, we’re pretty sure you’ll be dying to visit. You might also want to learn some Spanish with Rosetta Stone, which offers an immersive method of language learning designed to get you speaking on the very first day.
Table of Contents
1. Carnaval de Negros y Blancos (Black and White Carnival)
When: Late December into January
Where: San Juan de Pasto
What to expect: A celebration of mestizaje, or the intermingling of various cultures and races (including Pacific, Amazonian, and Andean), this is the most important carnival in southern Colombia. It was initiated in the mid-sixteenth century after the arrival of the Spanish. The festival underwent a process of fusion among indigenous, African, and Catholic traditions.
Three Kings Day on January 5th was declared a holiday for the African slaves (negritos) to celebrate their heritage, so coloring the town and their faces black became a fun game. This tradition took great hold in the region of Pastos. Much later on January 6th, a blancos (whites) game started in a brothel, where tailors powdered people’s faces of everyone there or at the church after mass.
Carnaval de Negros y Blancos developed even more until it became what it is today: a parade known for its exceptional artistry in terms of its floats. These huge sculptural creations of bright colors take about a year to create and sometimes hold dozens of dancers.
On the second to the last day of the festival, attendees wear a dark pigmentation to honor the traditional heritage. Then on the last day, they apply white powder to their faces. As a whole, these black and white cosmetics are meant to represent the unity of the races. The Carnaval de Negros y Blancos is included in UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Fun fact: Carnaval kicks off with the Water Carnival where water fights with balloons and buckets are all part of street fun. If you decide to venture out, be prepared to get wet!
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2. Feria de Manizales (Manizales Fair)
When: early January
Where: Manizales
What to expect: Manizales, Columbia, is famous for its coffee, and one highlight of this fair is the Coffee Queen competition. It’s a beauty pageant that attracts contestants from around Columbia and even neighboring countries. There’s also another competition in which trova singers compete by singing improvised lyrics.
Though it has its share of floats, folklore and music like other Colombian festivals, Feria de Manizales has a couple unique events that other festivals in Columbia don’t hold: bullfighting and tango events. Don’t be fooled that this is a small festival—over 300 events are held each year. You’ll find something fun to do with the locals!
Fun fact: This fair was inspired by the April Fair in Seville, Spain, but this version has a distinct Columbian flair.
3. Día de la Candelaria (Candlemas)
When: Early February
Where: Various places in Colombia but especially in Cartagena
What to expect: Día de la Candelaria commemorates the moment when the Virgin Mary took the infant Jesus and some candles to be blessed in the temple.
In Cartagena, you’ll see processions, fairs, and cabalgatas, which are popular parades. The focal point is usually horses and riders but you’ll also see bands, music, and floats designed to celebrate this special moment. People also climb up Cerro de la Popa (Popa Hill) and descend with an image of the Virgin of Candelaría. Candlemas is also celebrated as a popular festival in Peru.
Fun fact: The Virgin of Candelaria is represented by a black Madonna statue in Tenerife, Spain, in the Canary Islands.
4. Carnaval de Barranquilla
When: January into February
Where: Barranquilla
What to expect: This centuries-old Colombian festival is the biggest celebration of all, with pre-event celebrations happening for several weeks. The Barranquilla Carnival takes place over four days, filling the streets with bright colors, masks, dances, music, and so much more. Tickets are required to attend, but it’s worth doing as it might be the “partiest” party you’ll attend in Columbia. Plan to be here on the Saturday before Ash Wednesday, as that’s usually the start date of the festival.
Fun fact: You can learn a lot of cultural dances like the African congo, indigenous mico y micas, or multiple Colombian dances like porro and puya.
5. Festival de Música Andina Colombiana ‘Mono Núñez’ (Andean Music Festival)
When: Early March
Where: Teatro Mayor Julio Mario Santo Domingo, Bogotá
What to expect: Characterized as “the most important Andean music event of Colombia,” this festival is also considered to be one of the best of its kind in Latin America. Each year, the most exceptional participants are selected, and they become the headliners for the following festival. Music lovers don’t miss out on this lyrical festival that’s held annually in Bogotá.
Fun fact: The festival is also simply called El Mono Núñez, the nickname for the Colombian musician named Benigno Núñez.