From December to the beginning of January, party mode is fully activated for Colombians. During this time, fun and festive fairs take place throughout the country. Here Colombians celebrate their history and prepare for the New Year. Party like a local and enjoy these with these Colombian New Year festivals and fares.
Festival de Luces | December 7th
Taking place on Día de las Velitas (Candle Day), this festival of lights celebrates the Immaculate Conception. The free fair is held in Villa de Leyva, north of Bogotá, and is enjoyed by many Colombian families.
Traditionally, on December 7th, people get together with family and friends and light candles in their homes while eating and drinking. But on this day, the city of Bogotá also holds a festival for locals and tourists. Here, goers can enjoy fireworks, art exhibits, parties, food, and beverages and marvel at the illuminated city.
The fireworks display is an essential aspect of the festival. Artisanal firework makers from around the country each put on an explosive show, each competing for the best score.
The Cali Fair | December 25th - 30th
The Cali Fair or La Feria de Cali showcases the best salsa experts the world has to offer. You can see them dance along with the renowned orchestra and compete in the Salsa contest. Although this is an essential aspect of the festival, you can also watch bullfights, parades, and horse rides.
The fair will be held in Cali, a city in Colombia’s Valle del Cauca region. All the events will take place in the city’s Salsódromo.
Thousands of professional dancers will be showing off their best skills. However, most people in Cali can dance salsa very well. It is, after all, the salsa capital of the world. So, the best parts about being in Cali during this time is the nightlife and the salsa club scene. Every night you can go to a different salsa club and learn, practice, or show off your skills.
The festival takes place every year between December 25 and 30 and is enjoyed by over 2 million people.
The Manizales Fair | January 2nd to 9th
This annual festival has been running since 1955 and is a beautiful and inclusive celebration of colombian culture. Deemed a National Cultural Heritage, families can enjoy the week of events for completely free.
The festivities were originally inspired by the Spanish fair of Seville. Spectators of the Manizales festival can watch infamous Spanish-esque bullfighting shows right here in Colombia! The season attracts some of the best bullfighters from Colombia, South America, and the Iberian Peninsula.
The international coffee contest is a traditional event that showcases the most beautiful woman from all corners of the Americas. But, surprisingly, the event is less about coffee and is instead a well-respected beauty pageant. It draws in big crowds; observers watch over 20 contestants battle it out for the crown of Miss Internacional del Café.
However, the festival’s main draw is the incredible fireworks at the end of the week and the parade of Yipaos. The classic Colombian jeeps are symbols of the Colombian countryside and its coffee region. People line the streets to watch the procession as the Yipaos, filled with coffee and other typical items, make their way.
The fair takes place between January 2nd and 9th and is a great way to welcome the New Year.
Carnaval del Diablo | January 6th to 11th
In such a Catholic country, a festival named the Carnival of the Devil may seem slightly misplaced. However, the event is not an opportunity to worship the devil but to instead remember the war between the Quiebralomo and La Montaña municipalities and celebrate the subsequent peace.
The festival is focused around a giant, paper machete devil, which will be burned at the end of the week. This figure represents the past troubles of the area, with the burning signifying the destruction of all the bad.
Each year that the festival is held, a different Colombian artist will design the Devil figure, with directions of making the sculpture look as ridiculous and satirical as possible. The idea is to ridicule the devil throughout the week; however, the main event is called Las Cuadrillas.
Here people dress up in costumes and go around to different people’s houses, singing, dancing, and drinking “guarapo”- a traditional drink made from fermented pineapple skin and brown sugar.
The carnival happens every odd year in the town of Riosucio. For 2023 it will be held on January 6th to 11th. All week you can enjoy concerts, exhibitions, street parties, and local food-all for free!
Enjoy these Cultural Colombian New Year Festivals
Colombia has many religious and musical festivals. These events happen over several days and are usually free, so they offer an excellent opportunity to immerse yourself in the culture, live like a Colombian, and meet friendly locals.
During the festivals, the host cities are transformed into cultural center points. So, it’s a chance for people to explore a new city and soak up the electric atmosphere.
