Colombia has a rich festival calendar, and several of its celebrations are among the best in South America. Timing your visit around one of them is well worth doing.
Carnaval de Barranquilla — held in February or early March (the four days before Ash Wednesday), this is the second largest carnival in the world after Rio. The Batalla de las Flores parade, the Danza del Garabato, and the coronation of the Carnival King and Queen draw hundreds of thousands. It's loud, hot, and exhilarating. UNESCO has recognized it as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Feria de las Flores, Medellín — runs for about ten days in early August. The highlight is the Desfile de Silleteros, a parade of flower farmers carrying elaborate flower arrangements on their backs. The city fills with concerts, orchid shows, and classic car parades.
Feria de Cali — runs from December 25 to 30, making it a good reason to spend Christmas week in Cali. It's the world's biggest salsa festival. The Salsódromo parade — a kilometre of salsa dancers — is the centrepiece.
Festival de la Leyenda Vallenata, Valledupar — held in late April. Vallenato is Colombia's national folk music, and this is where the best musicians compete. Smaller than Barranquilla but more intimate and deeply Colombian.
Festival Iberoamericano de Teatro, Bogotá — held every two years in March (even years). The city fills with theatre, street performance, and circus companies from around the world. One of the largest theatre festivals on the planet.
Fiestas de la Virgen de la Candelaria, Cartagena — held February 2, this is a major religious celebration and public holiday in Cartagena, with processions and festivities throughout the city.
Blacks and Whites Carnival, Pasto — January 5–6, near the Ecuador border. Dates to colonial times, involving playful face-painting (first with black dye, then white talcum powder) as a ritual of equality. UNESCO-listed.