Holidays

In Colombia something is almost always being celebrated: carnival on the Caribbean, the flower festival in Medellín, candles in December, and fireworks from rooftops.

Below - the year in order: festivos (banks), festivals, and the December season. Floating dates (carnival, Easter) shift every year - check official announcements before a trip.

For relocators

Banks and paperwork

On festivo banks close; Migración / DIAN by appointment often do not work. Do not schedule visa submission or a large currency exchange for the Monday after a long weekend without buffer. Calendar: calendariodecolombia.com.

Puente

Many leave for 3–4 days: bus/Airbnb prices rise in popular destinations. If you stay in the city - expat zones can be quieter instead.

December in Medellín

Alborada (Dec 1) and Velitas - noisy all night. For pets: dens, vet-approved calming aids, closed windows. See Pets and the timeline entry below.

Carnival / Feria

Book housing weeks ahead. Crowds = pickpockets: no dar papaya. Guides and trips: Tourism.

Calendar for the year

No month grid needed - there are not that many events. Read the feed top to bottom, from carnival to New Year.

Year-round · law

Festivos: banks and offices

About 18 official public holidays per year. Some dates under Ley Emiliani (Ley 51 de 1983) move to the following Monday - a long “puente” weekend. Banks and government offices close; supermarkets usually stay open. List for your year: calendariodecolombia.com. Festivo ≠ festival: the first is a day off, the second is an event people travel for.
Feb–Mar · Barranquilla · dates tied to Easter

Carnaval de Barranquilla

One of Latin America’s largest carnivals, UNESCO intangible heritage. For several days the city lives parades: Batalla de Flores, coronation, cumbia and Haitian rhythms.
- Book lodging early - prices and demand spike sharply
- Grandstand tickets are published closer to the date on the official site
UNESCO · carnavaldebarranquilla.org
August · Medellín / Antioquia · fireworks some years

Feria de las Flores

The festival symbol is the silleteros parade: flower arrangements on wooden frames. Around it - concerts, fairs; some years fireworks are on the official program.

Medellín · Guides and tourism · medellin.gov.co
From late November · Medellín

Alumbrados

Light strings on river-side avenues, concerts, fairs. The season runs into January - a good excuse for evening walks even if you do not love “official” Christmas.
Dec 1, 00:00 · Medellín · fireworks

La Alborada

Unofficial celebration since 2003: fireworks from rooftops and balconies across the city, not run by authorities. Best viewed from a mirador or roof. Loud; pets get scared. Critics cite safety and litter - the event remains hugely popular.

Story of La Alborada (medellin.co)
December 7 · nationwide · candles, often fireworks

Día de las Velitas

Day of candles: on balconies, sidewalks, and squares. In the evening many cities have fireworks. Calmer than Alborada, but dense neighborhoods can still be noisy.
Dec 25 → Dec 31 · major cities · fireworks

Christmas and New Year

December 25 is a family day; many services pause. December 31 - fireworks in Bogotá, Medellín, Cartagena, and other big cities. Streets and roofs get loud near midnight - plan your way home ahead of time.
Year-round · by city

City festivals

In Cali - salsa and city fiestas (including Feria de Cali). In Cartagena - festivals and cruise season. In Bogotá - jazz, film, Banco de la República cycles.

Guides and tourism · Why Colombia? · Cali