Famous Festivals in Colombia
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Loading... - Shane Higgins
- 12 Jun 2023
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Colombia, a country known for its rich cultural heritage and diverse traditions, hosts a plethora of vibrant festivals throughout the year. From commemorating local customs to showcasing music genres, traditional dances, and even the production of flowers and coffee, these festivals offer a unique glimpse into Colombian culture. If you're planning a trip to Colombia and want to immerse yourself in the festivities, this article will introduce you to some of the most popular and renowned Colombian festivals.
Barranquilla Carnival
The Barranquilla Carnival, not only the second-largest carnival celebration in the world after Rio de Janeiro, but also the most prominent public and street celebration in Colombia, is a true spectacle. This carnival showcases a fusion of various local traditions through a repertoire of dances and musical expressions. Masked dancers, actors, singers, and instrumentalists come together to enchant the crowds with captivating theatrical and musical performances inspired by both historical and contemporary events.
While the official Carnival lasts for four days at the beginning of February, the pre-Carnival season kicks off in mid-January. Even before the official start, the city of Barranquilla comes alive with Carnival-themed decorations and music. During this time, smaller parades like la Guacherna and el Garabato take place in different areas of the city, offering a taste of popular dances and traditional Carnival music. These pre-Carnival events serve as a thrilling preview of the main celebration. So, make sure to embrace as many of them as you can! Once you've experienced the pre-Carnival events, don't miss the chance to attend the official Carnival events, such as parades, concerts, and various other activities throughout the city.
The Flower Festival
The Feria de las Flores, also known as the Flower Festival, is a remarkable event held in Medellín, Antioquía. This festival, spanning around 10 days, takes place during the first two weeks of August each year. One of the highlights of this festival is the famous parade called "El Desfile de los Silleteros," where silleteros, individuals who cultivate flowers and create stunning flower arrangements to carry on their backs, showcase their exquisite work to the public. Additionally, the Botanical Gardens in Medellín host a captivating flower exhibition, displaying an array of breathtaking and eccentric flowers.
Apart from the floral-centered events, the festival encompasses a wide range of activities, including traditional dance performances, culinary showcases featuring local cuisine, and much more.
Blacks and Whites' Carnival
The Blacks and Whites' Carnival is the largest carnival celebration in southern Colombia and one of the oldest festivals, offering a vibrant display of cultural diversity in South America. Held annually from January 2nd to 7th in the city of Pasto, this carnival traces its origins back to the Spanish colonial era when slaves were allowed to celebrate on January 5th, with their masters joining them by painting their faces black. The following day, the slaves would paint their faces white. Today, the Carnival of Blacks and Whites is a two-day extravaganza where people joyfully smear each other with black and white colors.
The preparation for the Carnival of Blacks and Whites starts well in advance. The festivities begin with the Day of Water, where people of all ages take to the streets and playfully drench each other with water. This is followed by the Little Carnival (El Carnavalito), during which children showcase their creativity and cultural expressions.
The Cali Fair
The Cali Fair, known as Feria de Cali, is a grand year-end celebration held in Santiago de Cali, Colombia. Since its inception in 1957, the Cali Fair has become a much-anticipated event that has continued without interruption. Initially centered around traditional Spanish bullfighting, the fair expanded to include a horse parade, ballroom dancing, and a beauty pageant. However, since the 1980s, the Cali Fair has transformed into a vibrant street carnival, placing a strong emphasis on celebrating salsa music and dance.
The festivities encompass public concerts and private performances by world-renowned salsa artists, showcasing the very best of the salsa music scene. The Cali Fair traditionally commences on December 25th and concludes on the 30th, with bullfighting activities extending until January 6th.
The Manizales Fair
The Manizales Fair, or Feria de Manizales, is renowned for its bullfighting season, concerts, exhibitions, parades, and the international Coffee Pageant. This fair draws inspiration from the April Fair of Seville in Spain while incorporating the customs of Colombia's coffee region. Spanning from January 3rd to January 12th, the fair celebrates the vibrant culture surrounding bullfighting while also showcasing the region's love for coffee.
As you plan your Colombian adventure, consider aligning your visit with one of these remarkable festivals to immerse yourself in the colorful traditions, energetic music, and captivating performances that define Colombian culture.
