Best Festivals to Experience in Colombia This January

As Colombia enters summer, some of the country’s best festivals are beginning. Far from taking a break from the excitement of December, Colombians are ready to continue celebrating with major festivals across the country. From Cartagena to Pasto, here are the top festivals Colombia offers in January.

Three unmissable festivals in Colombia in January

Carnival of Blacks and Whites in Pasto

The Carnival of Blacks and Whites, or “Carnaval de Negros y Blancos,” is an annual cultural celebration in Pasto, Nariño, Colombia. Recognized by UNESCO as a Cultural Heritage of Humanity, the event runs from Jan. 2 to 7.

The festival dates back to the colonial era, when enslaved Black people were granted a day of freedom on January 5. However, the festival can also be traced back to local indigenous harvest traditions. Over time, the celebration became a blend of African, Indigenous and Spanish influences, symbolizing the diverse nature of Colombian culture. The event’s name reflects the tradition of painting faces black and white during the festivities.

The carnival features a range of activities. Pre-carnival events in late December lead to the Carnavalito, a two-day event for children with costumes and parades. On January 4, the “Desfile de la Familia Castañeda” (Parade of the Castañeda Family) humorously depicts a fictional family’s arrival in Pasto.

January 5 is “Día de Negros” (“Blacks’ Day”), marked by participants painting each other black to honor Afro-Colombian heritage. January 6 is “Día de Blancos” (“Whites’ Day”), the festival’s peak, with elaborate parades, floats, and costumes. Streets are covered in white foam and powder. The celebration concludes with the “Castles of Fire” (“Castillos de Fuego”), when effigies are burned and firework displays are held.

Visitors can also enjoy traditional dances, artistic performances, parades, and local cuisine throughout the event.

The Manizales Fair

The Feria de Manizales (“Fair of Manizales”), an annual cultural celebration in the city of Manizales, showcases the region’s rich traditions and cultural identity. Recognized as within the Cultural Heritage of the Nation and Andean Cultural Heritage, the 2025 event will take place between January 4 and 12.

Founded in 1955 during a time of significant cultural change in Colombia, the fair was created by architect José María Gómez Mejía and his wife, Mariela López de Gómez. Inspired by the April Fair in Seville, Spain, it celebrates the culture of Colombia’s Coffee Region and broader “paisa” identity.

The festival’s centerpiece, the Gran Concierto, will take place this year on January 11. This year’s performers include Dominican artist and multiple Latin Grammy winner Juan Luis Guerra, Colombian urban music stars Ryan Castro and Kapo, and Colombian popular music icons Jessi Uribe and Paola Jara.

Another highlight is the Reinado Internacional del Café (International Coffee Pageant), an international beauty pageant featuring contestants from across Colombia and other nations.

One of the fair’s most iconic elements is the “Pasodoble Inmortal,” a musical composition by Juan María Asins from 1956. This unofficial anthem embodies the festive spirit of the fair and the “paisa” people.

Other notable events include soapbox car races, the Arriería Fair honoring the region’s muleteering heritage, and the Troubadour and “Liars” festivals, which reflect the area’s Spanish cultural roots.

The Cartagena International Music Festival

The Cartagena International Music Festival, locally known as “Festival Internacional de Música de Cartagena,” is a major festival held since 2007 in Cartagena de Indias, on the Caribbean Coast.

Inspired by Italy’s Spoleto Festival, the Cartagena International Music Festival was created with the aim of promoting classical music in Colombia and is now the country’s most important classical music event. The 2025 Cartagena International Music Festival is scheduled for January 4-12 with the theme “El canto del mar” (“The Song of the Sea”).

This 19th edition of the festival will explore the music of the Iberian Peninsula from the 19th and early 20th centuries, showcasing works by Isaac Albéniz, Enrique Granados, Joaquín Turina, Manuel de Falla, and Joaquín Rodrigo, among others.

Performances will take place in iconic locations around Cartagena, including the Adolfo Mejía Theater, the Chapel of Hotel Sofitel Santa Clara, and the Getsemaní Auditorium at the Cartagena Convention Center. Approximately 25 concerts will be held during the event, featuring both classical and traditional Colombian music.