TOP 10 Festivals in Colombia For Your Bucket List
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Looking for the coolest and best music festivals in Colombia in 2023 & 2024? Well, you’ve come to the right place, as we’ve compiled the ultimate guide to Colombia Festivals that are guaranteed to impress.
Well-known for its Arabica coffee, salsa dancing, and passionate culture, Colombia is a country teeming with entertainment, history, and sensational music. It is a paradise for locals and tourists with scenic beaches, mouthwatering cuisine, and awesome parties.
The music festivals in Colombia are a hit, each as entertaining and exuberant as the last – so grab your tickets ASAP. It’s time to go on vacation and dance the day away in beautiful Colombia! And if you’re planning a trip to Colombia – be sure to read my guide on Glamping in Colombia for some awesome and unique stays in the country!
1) Estéreo Picnic Festival
Credit: Estéreo Picnic Festival Colombia
When: March 2024
Where: Bogota
https://www.festivalestereopicnic.com/
https://www.facebook.com/festivalestereopicnic/
The Estéreo Picnic Festival’s first edition was held in 2010. It originally was a one-day festival, but after some losses, it was reshaped and returned as a multi-day festival at a larger venue to grasp its success. Today, it is one of the most popular music festivals in Colombia!
The lineups at the Estéreo Picnic Festival are notorious for featuring internationally famous stars. For example, the festival’s 2023 lineup hosted big names like Billie Eilish, Drake, and Tame Impala. The four-day event was a major success, luring hundreds of thousands of fans to party and dance to their favorite artists.
2) Rock al Parque Festival
Credit: Rock al Parque Festival
When: November 11 – 13, 2023
Where: Bogota
https://www.facebook.com/rockalparquebogota
Established in 1995, the Rock al Parque Festival is one of the best free music festivals in Colombia that everyone flocks to see.
The Rock al Parque Festival attracts more than 300,000 visitors every year. It is the largest music festival in Colombia, and people don’t have to spend any money to buy tickets – one of the best things any festival addict could hear!
This festival promotes reflections and debates on social environments and is dedicated to establishing new trends in the rock movement. Fans of rock can jam out to raging good music and other genres like ska, punk, blues, and reggae in this inclusive music festival.
3) Vallenato Legend Festival
When: April 2024
Where: Valledupar
https://colombia.travel/en/fairs-and-festivals/festival-vallenato
https://www.facebook.com/fesvallenato
Loaded with beautiful Colombian culture and entertaining contests, the Vallenato Legend Festival is one of the most anticipated music festivals in Colombia.
Typically hosted in April, the event is dedicated to Vallenato, country music established in Colombia’s Caribbean region. The music genre has been recognized as culturally important by UNESCO, and there’s no better way to celebrate it than with a music festival!
The festival’s beginning was inspired by a famous Vallenato composer and the area’s governor, Rafael Escalona. Since then, the Vallenato Legend Festival has become a beloved event in Colombia, with competitive contests hosted on stage between musicians of different skills and ages.
4) Jazz al Parque Festival
Credit: Mathew Valbuena
When: September 2024
Where: Bogota
https://www.facebook.com/jazzalparque/
The Jazz al Parque Festival takes place in Bogota, soothing the soul with sensual hits and spectacular performances. Every September, when the weather is perfect for hanging outdoors, this outstanding music festival serves talented jazz performers in a cozy setting.
In the past, the festival has hosted enigmatic mentions such as Latin Grammy-award-winning composer and pianist Chucho Valdez. The lineup for this event is guaranteed to impress anyone and everyone with the undeniable skill displayed onstage at one of the most popular jazz music festivals in Colombia.
5) Salsa al Parque Festival
Credit: Salsa al Parque Festival in Colombia
When: June 2024
Where: Bogota
https://www.facebook.com/salsaalparque/
Showcasing Latino salsa artists from across the globe, the Salsa al Parque Festival hits Bogota with a twirl and a sensual dip. The event hosts artists from all over, but many come from Cali, a city in Colombia widely known as the world capital of salsa dancing.
If you like to dance or simply appreciate those who can, then the Salsa al Parque Festival is the place for you. The vibes are absolutely immaculate, encouraging audience members to sway and dance along with the beat of the music and the sway of the salsa dancers.
The festival is a great way to learn about and improve salsa dancing, especially since the locals are ready to help you!
6) Hip Hop al Parque Festival
Credit: Festival Hip Hop al Parque
When: July 2024
Where: Bogota
https://hiphopalparque.gov.co/
https://www.facebook.com/hiphopalparquebogota/
Centered around hip-hop culture, the Hip Hop al Parque Festival is widely known amongst musicians and fans. It is one of the most popular hip-hop music festivals in Colombia, attracting thousands upon thousands of attendees each year to the capital, Bogota.
This hype event began in 1998. It has heavily contributed to promoting hip-hop in Colombia, hosting artists and travelers from all over the globe to celebrate the enigmatic genre.
Over the years, the Hip Hop al Parque Festival has entertained artists on stage like Mamborap from Chile, Aczino from Mexico, Trueno from Argentina, and Grandmaster Flash from the USA.
7) Colombia al Parque Festival
Credit: Juan Santacruz
When: March 2024
Where: Bogota
https://colombiaalparque.gov.co/
https://www.facebook.com/colombiaalparque/
Out of all the music festivals in Colombia, the Colombia al Parque Festival is one of the most popular. It is free, welcoming all to experience the beauty of Colombia’s culture.
At the Colombia al Parque, attendees can savor the melodic rhythms of Colombia’s music scene through native genres like cumbia and joropo and other hype-worthy genres like traditional reggaeton. The liveliness of this festival is notoriously exuberant, full of dancing, jumping, and singing.
Over the years, the lineup for the festival has featured many icons, like Shakira and Carlos Vives. From established to up-and-coming stars, the entertainment is off the charts, and as an attendee, you’re guaranteed to have the time of your life at the Colombia al Parque!
8) Carnaval de Barranquilla
When: February 2024
Where: Barranquilla
https://carnavaldebarranquilla.org/
https://es-la.facebook.com/carnavalbaq/
Luring locals and tourists alike, the Carnaval de Barranquilla is believed to be the second-largest carnival after the Rio de Janeiro Carnival. It takes place four days before Ash Wednesday every year.
The Carnaval de Barranquilla is a gigantic celebration of vibrant colors and costumes, hip-swaying music, and endless entertainment. The kick-off for the festival begins with La Batalla de Flores, which translates to The Battle of Flowers.
The six-hour parade is an eyecatcher with cumbia dancing, striking costumes, decorated floats, and the crowning of the Carnival King and Queen.
The following days of the Carnaval de Barranquilla are filled with more parades and street parties filled with salsa dancing, folk music, and loads of fun!
9) Baum Festival
When: May 2024
Where: Bogota
https://www.facebook.com/BAUMFESTIVAL/
Taking over the entire city each year since its first edition in 2015, the two-day Baum Festival is one of the hottest electronic music festivals in Colombia.
International icons decorate this hit music festival’s lineup with past stars that have performed, including Loco Dice, DJ Hell, and Miss Kitten.
Though the primary focus is on electronic music, this inclusive festival also dishes out techno, house, and dance music with addictive beat drops and goosebump-raising base across its five stages.
10) Festival Internacional de Cine de Cartagena
Credit: Festival Internacional de Cine de Cartagena
When: March 2024
Where: Cartagena
https://www.facebook.com/FICCIfestival
The week-long Festival Internacional de Cine de Cartagena is the longest-running film festival in South America. For film and art lovers, this festival is a glorious opportunity to dive into Colombia’s arts and culture scene.
Originally named the International Naval and Sea Film Week, the festival was once focused on screening films with coastal themes. In 2005, it was renamed Festival Internacional de Cine de Cartagena and encouraged other film themes to be more inclusive.
The outdoor venues for the festival are free to attend. Other events for the Festival Internacional de Cine de Cartagena hosted at other venues may require a purchase of a ticket for access.
