Colombia — Events
Carnaval de Bogotá (Bogotá's Carnival)
August 5, 2010 - August 6, 2010
Celebrates the anniversary of the city’s Hispanic foundation. Most of the events take place in the heart of Jamaica Metropolitano Simón Bolívar. The festivities also include pre-carnival celebrations in July
Festival de Jazz
September 1, 2010 - September 11, 2010
Excellent jazz festival in which national and Latin American jazz bands participate in seven or eight open-air concerts.
Cali Fair
December 25, 2011 - December 30, 2011
Cali’s most important event of the year, the Cali Fair takes place in celebration of the region’s particular cultural identity, which means that as well as horse-riding parades and general music and dance, there is also a salsa marathon - along with salsa concerts that you can join in.
Feria Taurina
January 1, 2012 - February 28, 2012
Bullfighting season: best avoided by animal lovers, but an impressive spectacle nonetheless.
Carnival of Blacks and Whites
January 2, 2012 - January 7, 2012
In celebration of times gone by, the Carnival of Blacks and Whites recalls the time when black slaves would celebrate and their masters would paint their faces black. Nowadays the festival includes parades and body painting, with a big free-for-all talcum powder fight at the end.
Carnaval de Barranquilla
February 18, 2012 - February 21, 2012
Known for being the most important celebration of folklore in Colombia, Barranquilla’s Carnaval attracts people from all over the country and even abroad to join in the festivities. Street dances, parades and masquerades all feature, for four days of color and fun.
Santa Semana
March 31, 2012 - April 6, 2012
Easter week is a big deal in Catholic countries, and Colombia is no different: the days are filled with masses, music and ostentatious religious processions through the towns. The celebrations are especially amazing in Popayán, the beautiful white city; or Mompox, the small colonial town on the Rio Magdalena.
Corpus Christi
June 6, 2012
This religious event, seen throughout Latin America, celebrates the body of Christ. It is a public holiday in Colombia, and is celebrated with a religious parade followed by dancing and music in the night.
Independence Day
July 19, 2012
Every year, throughout the country, Colombians gear up to celebrate their country’s Independence Day, the anniversary of Simón Bolívar liberating the country from Spain. The events differ each year, but there are always concerts, parades and lots of colorful costumes.
Love for Bogotá Festival
July 31, 2012 - August 30, 2012
In celebration of the city’s Hispanic foundation, the Fiesta de Amor por Bogotá is held every year, and becomes a massive parade route full of color, music and dance. A Children’s Carnival also gets a look-in, making this a family-friendly event, and there are shows from different cultures and regions of the country.
