Colombia is a country without seasons, surrounded by two oceans, which means that all year round the weather is perfect for a beach party or a walk through the snow. This same geographical versatility is reflected in the Colombian popular culture that offers locals and foreigners festivals and cultural events that meet the interests of all travelers. In the calendar of Colombia find out which are the most important cultural events that take place each month in this land of magical realism! [caption id="attachment_13007" align="aligncenter" width="675"] The parties in Colombia begin with the Carnaval de Blancos y Negros / Source[/caption]

Festivals in January

- Blacks and Whites’ Carnival- Pasto. The celebrations in Colombia kick off with this event, which always begins the first week of January. In 2009 it was declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by Unesco and it is a festival that has its origins in 1546. With an explosion of rhythms that reflects the traditions of Andean and Pacific ethnic groups, the Blacks and Whites’ Carnival in Pasto is divided into four stages: the inaugural parade, the blacks’ day, the whites’ day and the closing, which occurs on January 7 with the Day of the Cuy (guinea pig). When: From January 2 to January 7 2019 Travel tip: Find the official program here. - Manizales fair – Manizales. For 62 years, the Manizales Fair has combined the traditions from Seville (Spain) with the coffee culture. Fans of bullfighting will find various activities that are ideal for them, because over the years the fair has had bullfighters like 'El Juli', Ponce, Roca Rey, Manolo González and Alfredo Jiménez, among others. Bear in mind that 80% of this fair’s events are free, except for those related to bullfighting. The closing concert has artists of different genres: vallenato, reggaeton, salsa and mainstream music. When: From January 5 to 13, 2019. Travel tip: Discover all the details in the Fan Page - Hay Festival – Cartagena. ‘Hay festival’ is a European initiative that seeks to bring together the literati with music and the arts. In Colombia this event takes place in Cartagena, as the main venue, during the last weeks of January. Year after year, film critics, musicians, writers and journalists from different parts of the world gather at forums, conferences and workshops for a week to debate, comment and inform about the literary works of the moment, making every corner of the walled city come alive. Due to the convergence of foreign artists, the event is intended for both Spanish and English speakers. When: From January 31 to February 3 2019. Travel tip:  Visit the official Hay Festival website to learn more. [caption id="attachment_12999" align="aligncenter" width="675"]Festival The Bahía Group during the Hay Festival Cartagena / Photo by: OAGREDOP[/caption]

Festivals in February

- Barranquilla Carnival: The Barranquilla Carnival is the Colombian festival par excellence. This event has international recognition and stands out among other important festivals in Latin America. Beginning in mid-January the city is decorated for carnival along with preview dance events, parades and performance troupes. When February arrives, which is the month of the carnival, the city stops everything in order to receive its visitors with the biggest party of the year, where dancing and popular folklore are an excuse to experience this magnificent city. It begins with 'The battle of the flowers' which is a wonderful parade led by the queen of the carnival and preceded by large floats of flowers, typical music of the region and different typical characters. After the opening, there are more parades, music and parties on each block of Barranquilla, because 'whoever experiences carnival is the one who enjoys it'. The closing consists of the burial of 'Joselito Carnaval', a symbolic funeral to dismiss so many days of celebration. When: From January 18 to March 5  2019. Travel tip: Read up on the official Carnival program and, if you wish, you can book a tour package for the Carnival of Barranquilla that include tickets to the parades, accommodation and transportation. [caption id="attachment_13000" align="aligncenter" width="675"]Festival The colorful Carnival of Barranquilla / Photo by: Ashley Bayes[/caption]

Festivals in March

- Ibero-American Theater Festival - Bogotá. The Iberoamericano Festival at Bogota Theatre has become one of the most important events in Latin American, bringing together independent theater companies from all over the world. For a week, in the Colombian capital you can see about 20 different exhibitions from galleries and street art, from various genres such as clown, dance, drama etc. When: From March to April. (The festival takes place every two years) Travel tip: Find the official festival program here and make the most of your days with the best tours and activities in Bogotá to get to know the city. [caption id="attachment_13001" align="aligncenter" width="675"]Festival The Ibero-American Theater Festival / Photo by: Carlos Martínez, Ministerio de Cultura[/caption]
- Holy Week – Popayán. Colombia is the third most religious country in Latin America, so Holy Week, also known Easter, is a very important holiday for the population in general. If you like to partake in religious tourism and want to discover more about Catholic traditions, in the city of Popayán you will find a complete experience from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday: events, processions and allegories centered around reflection and the Christian faith. When: From April 14 to April 21, 2019. Travel tip: Consult all the details of Holy Week in Popayán on the official web page.

Festivals in April

- Filbo - Bogotá. Bogotá, declared one of the world's book capitals by UNESCO in 2007, holds its traditional International Book Fair in April, one of the most important literary events in Colombia. There are records of visits from 550 thousand people in just one edition! During the tour of the 14 pavilions, you can find not only premieres of literary works premieres, concerts, talks by international lecturers but also the pleasure of uniting literature with activities such as cuisine and art through a variety of demonstrations. It is a good opportunity to get that book you always wanted, but also to learn more about Latin American culture. When: From April 25 to May 6, 2019. Travel tip: Visit FILBO's official web page to find out the details. - Festival of the Vallenata Legend - Valledupar. Half a century recreating the myths and customs of a land through vallenato music, they uphold the Festival of the Vallenata Legend as one of the most important traditional musical events in Colombia. For 4 days the city of Valledupar is transformed into a single sound emitted by the vallenato accordion. The event not only exalts the music, it also gives space to storytelling, dance and oral narration, making the visitor completely immersed in the vallenato culture. There are different scenarios, depending on the level of expertise of the participants and age. At the end of the event, the "King of Kings" is crowned, which is the highest award that can be received at the event. Each year the festival has a different honoree, who is an ambassador of vallenato music, and last year was the renowned singer Carlos Vives. Don’t miss out! When: From April 26 to April 30, 2019. Travel tip: Find all the information about this event on the official festival web page. [caption id="attachment_13002" align="aligncenter" width="675"]Festival Coronation of the king of kings/ Photo by: Festival de la Leyenda Vallenata[/caption]

Festivals in May

- Mono Núñez Festival - Valle del Cauca. In order to exalt and preserve Colombian Andean music, several festivals have been created throughout the country; one of the most important is the Mono Núñez Festival. It takes place in a small town called Geneva in the Valle del Cauca, and for three days all the inns, family homes and hotels are full of musicians from different regions and countries, singing to the frets of guitars, bandolas and tiples, from visitors who participate in the festival. When: From May 30 to June 2, 2019. Travel tip: The group in charge of organizing the event is Funmúsica, Funmúsica, find their official web page here.

Festivals in June

- Festitango – Medellín. Tango is not only found in Río de la Plata. Medellín has an important tango tradition, even to the point that Carlos Gardel often came to make presentations in the city until the day of his death. As one of the tango capitals, Medellín holds a traveling tango festival, where you can find not only great dancers but also wonderful interpretations of this rhythm from Rio de la Plata. During three days the festival moves throughout the city, drawing in both children and adults. Travel tip: consult the festival’s Facebook page for the exact dates and if you are travelling to the city outside of the month of June, reserve a Tango tour in Medellín online.

Festivals in July

- Colombia Moda – Medellín. One of the most important industries in Medellín is that of textile, which makes it Colombia’s fashion center. Because of this, every year the most outstanding Latin American referents of this industry are found at fashion week: Colombiamoda. About 13 thousand buyers and more than 500 Latin American brands meet at this event to make connections and mark trends. During the event there are free conferences and workshops to catch up on fashion and the industry. When: From July 23 to 25, 2019. Travel tip: Learn all the details in the official Colombiamoda web page and enjoy your vacations in the city of eternal spring with the tours and activities in Medellín. [caption id="attachment_13003" align="aligncenter" width="675"]Festival Colombia Moda:know the trends in the region / Photo by: Martín Mortality[/caption]

Festivals in August

- Feria de las Flores (Flower Festival) – Medellín. This festival is known for its traditional silleteros parade, in which not only the qualities of the man paisa but also its origins are glorified. The silleteros are agricultural farmers who head out to the festivities with a wooden frame on their backs, decorated with an immense variety of flowers arranged in such a way that each “silleta” tells a different story. The decorating of the silletas is a tradition that has been passed down from generation to generation, and characterizes the path to Santa Elena. During the fair there is also the Festival de la Trova, different events in pubs and family run inns, concerts and a large exhibition of Paisa culture in the North Park. When: From August 2 to August 11 2019. Travel tip: Visit Medellín City Hall's official web page o learn more about the tradition and reserve a Silleteros and Flowers tour here.

Festivals in September

Colombia to the rhythm of Jazz. In September, different cities and towns in Colombia such as Barranquilla, Manizales and Mompox devote three days to jazz. The largest jazz festival is organized in Bogotá, so if you are thinking of traveling to Colombia this month, we recommend that you stop in the Colombian capital to enjoy the event. Jazz in the Park - Bogotá. This festival has had, for 20 years, artists on par with Richard Bona or Chucho Valdes. The event takes place at the Country Club, to the north of the city. While you’re at the concert you can eat something, read or just lie on the grass to listen to the invited performers. When: September 14 and 15, 2019. Travel tip: If you are interested, you should be aware of this year's program! So visit Jazz in the Park's official web page. [caption id="attachment_13004" align="aligncenter" width="675"]Festival Jazz at the Park in September at the Country Club/Photo:Carlos Lema- Idartes[/caption]

Festivals in October

- “Coffe time” in Quindío! In October International Coffee Day is celebrated. To celebrate it, we invite you to visit Armenia, one of the three cities in the Coffee Region, which is more than a century old. The city festivities take place in mid-October; its theme is in constant homage to the coffee culture, there are parades of the traditional yipao, which are decorated cars with elements of the coffee culture and you can also pick up national souvenirs and international crafts. If you are travelling to Colombia during this month, we recommend that you participate in the festivities. Travel tip: Take home the essence of the Coffee Axis with the best coffee tours in Armenia, Manizales and Pereira.

Festivals in November

- “Patron Saint Festivals” – San Andrés. The entire group of islands celebrate the festivities of its patron San Andrés. They do it in two very special ways: by celebrating the International Reign of Coco, and the best rhythm of Caribbean music accompanied by the typical dishes of this region. The event takes place during the last week of November, so we invite you to schedule starting now, in order to enjoy the party and organize your itinerary that includes visits to the other islands, take a walk underwater, party on a cruise, and -Why not? - Do a diving mini-course so you do not miss the beautiful coral reef that surrounds this place. Reserve tours for a dream island vacation in San Andrés [caption id="attachment_13005" align="aligncenter" width="640"]Festival Celebrate the San Andrés festivities  / Photo by: Sofía Romero[/caption]

Festivals in December

- The month of the little candles. On December 7 and 8, all of Colombia celebrates Velitas “Little Candles” Day, a Catholic tradition where candles are lit to celebrate the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary. The celebration varies in every region. In Quimbaya, a town in the Coffee Triangle, they close off their streets to put out handmade lanterns, and there is music and liquor in all the homes; other cities such as Cali and Medellín light their large lanterns in parks and on the banks of rivers. On the Caribbean coast dawns processions usually take place at dawn, after a long night of celebration. With this holiday, Christmas begins. Travel tip: Be part of this beautiful tradition with the Christmas Lights Tour in Medellín. - La Feria de Caña – Cali. Cali is known as the world’s salsa capital, so its grand festival, which always begins after Christmas Eve, is permeated by this rhythm. The Cali Fair or Feria de la Caña is made up of cultural and gastronomic events for everyone: from presentations by national and international artists, to the creation of spaces for music lovers and collectors. Every year, a branch of heaven opens its doors to the best exponents of salsa, to amateurs and, of course, to all visitors who come wanting to learn more about this Caribbean rhythm. At the commencement of the festival there is a grand parade that evokes the best of salsa, and the salsódromo is also officially opened. When: From December 25 to 30, 2019. Travel tip: As an alternating event the city begins its bullfighting season. Visit the Fair's official web page to get the details and book your tours and activities in Cali online. [caption id="attachment_13006" align="aligncenter" width="675"]Festival The end of the year in Cali: do not miss Feria de la Caña / Photo by: Claudio Bustos[/caption]
After signing a Peace Treaty, Colombia created new routes to promote tourism and open itself to the world as a country with immense biodiversity and multiculturalism. "It's time to experience Colombia. You will love it!".  

See more activities and tours in Colombia

By: Laura García Betancur, Laura García Betancur, Colombian audiovisual journalist and communicator