Famous Festivals In Colombia

There is always some sort of festival happening in Colombia . There are festivals to celebrate heritage, there are festivals that celebrate music genres, and even festivals that celebrate flowers. Today we'd like to tell you about three of the most popular and well-known festivals that occur in Colombia. If you are planning to visit Colombia you could plan your trip to include one of these festivals in your tour.

1. Carnaval de Barranquilla

Like the Carnaval celebration in Rio de Janeiro and Mardi Gras in New Orleans, the Carnaval celebration in
Barranquilla occurs in the days leading up to Lent. The Carnaval of Barranquilla is the second largest carnival celebration in the world, and is considered by most to be the most famous and most important festival in Colombia.

While the Carnaval season begins long before the actual celebration, there are only four "real" days in which Carnaval is officially celebrated—the Saturday, Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday, before Ash Wednesday. Each day has a special parade that maintains the same name and emphasis every year, but always offers a new surprise. The parades really are a true demonstration of many historical, cultural, and musical, and heritages of Colombia.

2. Festival de las Flores

The Feria de las Flores (the Flower Festival) is another incredible festival in Colombia that takes place in Medellin , Antioquía. This festival happens every year during the first two weeks of August and lasts around 10 days.

Perhaps the most famous part of this festival is a parade called "El Defile de los Silleteros." This parade gives silleteros (people who cultivate flowers and create beautiful artwork out of flowers to carry on their backs) a chance to display their amazing work to the public. There is also a flower exhibition that takes place at the Botanical Gardens in Medellín where you will find both outrageously gorgeous as well as crazy strange flowers on display.

In addition to events centered around flowers, there are many other types of events taking place as part of the festival, such as shows featuring typical dances and traditional foods among other things.

3. Festival Iberoamericano de

Teatro

One of the biggest performing festivals in the world, the Festival Iberoamericano de Teatro (Ibero-american Theater Festival) is a unique Colombian festival that occurs every two years in Bogotá . The festival lasts around 20 days and always occurs before and during Semana Santa (Holy Week). Focusing on performing arts presentations, concerts, plays, conferences, street performances, and even interpretative dances are part of this magical festival that converts 

Bogotá into a theatrical wonderland.

First celebrated in 1988, the Festival Iberoamericano de Teatro was originally created to celebrate Bogotá's 450 birthday. Since that first celebration, it has grown to be one of the biggest and most popular festivals celebrated in Bogotá with both Colombians and foreigners arriving to both participate in and watch the varied performances of the festival.

We hope you decide to come to one of these great festivals.

Happy travels.

*culled from www.unconvercolombia.wordpress.com