Barranquilla Celebrates Halloween with a Joyful Carnival

Barranquilla, one of Colombia’s most joyful cities, celebrated Halloween with the unique joy and rhythm characteristic of Carnival.

Halloween, or “Dia de las Brujitas” (“Day of the Little Witches”) as it’s known in Colombia, is celebrated worldwide on Oct. 31. In the Colombian Caribbean, especially in Barranquilla, this date takes on a unique twist, blending Halloween traditions with the festive spirit of Carnival. Each Oct. 31, the streets in the city’s northern part fill with color and joy during a popular parade. At night, families and children dressed as festive and spooky characters go trick-or-treating to the beat of songs and dances, making Halloween an unforgettable experience.

The Killero Parade: Halloween to the Rhythm of Carnival

The famous “Killero Parade,” organized by the folkloric group Los Cantores Killeros, brings a Caribbean twist to Halloween. Participants chant the traditional rhyme, “Triki Triki Halloween, quiero dulce para mi,” (I want candy for me) fused with Caribbean music and accompanied by a Millo group—a band known for using instruments made from the millo plant, which adds a distinctive rhythm to the parade.

Families in Barranquilla join the parade in costume, walking through the city’s northern streets, which are decorated with Halloween themes and Carnival-inspired details. While trick-or-treating, they request not only candies but also traditional sweets like cocada, alegría, and enyucado, along with empanadas, egg arepas, and carimañolas, blending local cuisine with the spirit of Halloween.

Origin of the Killero Tradition

The Killero Halloween tradition began over 10 years ago when Los Cantores Killeros decided to put a unique spin on Halloween night. It started with two parents and four children singing loudly to be heard while asking for candy, their enthusiasm quickly drawing attention and applause from onlookers. The following year, more families joined, and the group grew annually until they added a Millo band to enhance the festive atmosphere.

Founded by Los Cantores Killeros and led by Guillermo Rubio, the purpose of the parade is to preserve the tradition of trick-or-treating on Witch Night, allowing the community to enjoy this activity with the coastal flair that defines the Colombian Caribbean.

Today, the Killero Parade has become an eagerly awaited event every October 31. This year, the group paid tribute to the late Colombian salsa singer and composer Joe Arroyo by performing some of his hits. Hundreds of Barranquilla families enjoyed an unforgettable Halloween night to the rhythm of the Barranquilla Carnival, with the 2025 Carnival queens also joining the celebration.