The Most Anticipated Events in Medellín – Here’s What You Can’t Miss

Do you feel like traveling but haven’t decided where to go yet? Medellín, a multicultural city of exuberant beauty, is the perfect destination. We’ll tell you why: You’ll never run out of plans! Whether you love poetry, fashion, live music, or unique cultural festivals, Medellín will give you an option for every mood you’re in. Host to huge national and international events, the City of Eternal Spring is lively and diverse. Its combination of tradition and global openness has made it one of the most exciting and fun cities to visit; in fact, in 2022, Medellín was named one of the top three cities to visit by Time Out for its vibrant nightlife, dynamic cultural scene, and huge selection of restaurants and bars. Keep reading to find out what events are taking place this year so you know when to schedule your trip.
 

Hay Festival Medellín

    The year begins with the Hay Festival. This festival was born in the United Kingdom 35 years ago, and today is present in many countries such as Spain, Mexico, Italy, and Colombia. The love for literature, ecology, social sciences, and the exchange of ideas and thoughts summons thousands of people around the world every year. On this occasion, the Medellín edition will feature important leading authors in their respective fields, including the Nobel Laureate in Physics Serge Haroche. This festival is perfect for you if you are intellectually curious and want to share with people from all over the world who are passionate about books and the diversity of voices.  When? It will be held on the 24th and 25th of January. All conferences will be held at the Museum of Modern Art of Medellín and will be free of charge.
 

Colombiamoda

Medellín has the ultimate event for those who like to keep up with fashion trends and have the most unique and exclusive closet.  More than a century ago, the country’s first textile companies opened their doors in Medellín. Today the city is the fashion capital of Colombia. Therefore, it is only logical that the most important fashion event in all of Latin America is held here. Colombiamoda was born more than 30 years ago with the purpose of positioning the collections of national and international designers and Colombian clothing manufacturers. Currently, more than 60,000 people attend this event every year. Businessmen, fashion experts, designers, models, and more than 300 media make this event one of the most anticipated in the fashion world. However, what makes it even more striking is that it is not only aimed at experts but also offers room for everyone interested in acquiring unique and fun pieces. When? It is usually held the third week of July each year, and to enter the pavilions you must pay a fee ranging from $9 to $52.
 

International Poetry Festival of Medellín

Are you a poetry lover? We’ve got the perfect plan for you! The International Poetry Festival of Medellín is a prestigious event that has been held annually for more than thirty years. During this festival, poetry readings in more than 40 languages are held in theaters, parks, auditoriums, and different open areas of the city. There are also conferences and conversations with participants from all continents. More than 130 authors from more than 80 countries participate. In addition to being an impressive literary event, it also stands out for its commitment to peace and the defense of human rights and the planet. For this, it received the Alternative Nobel Prize in 2006, and in 2009 it was declared a cultural heritage of Colombia. When? It is celebrated during the month of July. There are about 100 activities with free entrance.
 

Medellín International Tango Festival

The fever for tango crosses borders. For decades Medellín has been recognized as the second home of this passionate genre. The Medellín International Tango Festival brings together the best musicians and dancers in the world, whose art fills the city with an electrifying mystique. Documentary screenings, collectors’ meetings, and music and dance exhibitions and competitions take place throughout the city during an intense week. When? This festival is usually held in June each year. It has events both in theaters and outdoors, and admission to all activities is free.

Music Festivals

Music is the center of Medellín. Its active nightlife and the successful artists that have been born there are proof of this: J Balvin, Karol G, and Juanes are some of them. As a result, Medellín has been the stage for artists such as Madonna, Guns n’ Roses, Beyoncé, and Snoop Dogg. Medellín is your ideal destination if you are a fan of music festivals. The perfect weather and the most energetic, upbeat crowd will give you the experience of a lifetime. This year, Medellin will host great artists of urban music, electronic and alternative rhythms. Festival La Solar will feature Sean Paul, Bomba Estéreo, Black Coffee, Chencho Corleone, Rels B, Sky Rompiendo, and many more. It will be an unforgettable day for those who love to dance to Latin rhythms and enjoy euphoric atmospheres.  When? February 11th at Parque Norte. You can find tickets from $106 to $162. Another highly anticipated festival for urban and Caribbean music lovers is El Choli Se Muda A Medellín. It will feature the most important duos in the history of reggaeton: Wisin y Yandel, Zion y Lennox, Jowell y Randy, and Alexis y Fido. There will also be performances by many more artists, such as Maldy, famous for his career in Plan B with Chencho Corleone and for his recent collaboration with Karol G. When? February 25th at the Atanasio Girardot Stadium. Tickets range from $30 to $85.

Flower Festival

Of course, the calendar of events would not be complete without the Flower Festival. If you are looking for a unique cultural and sensory experience in the world, this festival is for you. The entire city is flooded with the most beautiful, exotic, and fragrant flowers. Orchids, carnations, roses, and chrysanthemums are just some of the flowers you will find in every corner. Parades and exhibitions of high artistic level floral arrangements, parades of classic and antique cars, bike rides through the city, concerts, and dance performances are some of the activities you can enjoy during the festival. When? The Flower Festival is held every year in August. Almost all events are free, and those with admission fees are usually very affordable.

Christmas Season

To close the year, you can’t miss some of Colombia’s most curious and impressive Christmas traditions. The Christmas season is officially inaugurated with the Parade of Dances, Myths, and Legends on December 7th. Paisa folklore takes to the streets of the city to bring to life the characters of myths and legends of the Antioquian region. Also, throughout the month there are several cultural presentations, such as classical music concerts by the Medellín Philharmonic Orchestra, and Christmas ballet presentations by the Ballet Metropolitano de Medellín. And of course, you can’t miss the Day of the Little Candles, one of the oldest and most breathtaking traditions in Colombia. Medellín, home of artists, writers, and entrepreneurs, always has a plan for every type of traveler. In addition to the ones we mentioned above, you will also find the International Jazz Festival, the Santa Fe de Antioquia Film Festival, the Book and Culture Festival, and international conventions on all kinds of topics such as tourism (like Tourism Cares), financial markets (like the International Trading Festival), architecture (like EKOTECTURA), the wedding industry (like the Forever Wedding Summit), and countless other areas. Plus, there are incredible concerts of all kinds of genres every month of the year. Every season provides a unique opportunity to experience Medellín to the fullest. Some say the best time to travel is around Christmas, while others prefer to visit the city during the Flower Festival. We believe that each season has its own magic. Contact us to plan your trip and help you discover the treasures that this beautiful city has to offer.