General Context
Every year, Medellín transforms into one of the most vibrant cities in Colombia during the famous Feria de las Flores (Flower Festival), one of the country’s most important cultural celebrations. For 10 days, the city fills with music, flowers, parades, concerts, food, dancing, and thousands of visitors from all around the world who come to experience the unique energy of the festival.
The Medellín Flower Festival 2026 will officially take place from July 31 to August 9, 2026, making it one of the best times of the year to visit the city.
Originally created in 1957 to honor the customs, values, and traditions of Antioquian (Paisa) culture, Feria de las Flores especially celebrates the silleteros from Santa Elena: local flower growers who create the iconic floral arrangements known as silletas. Over the decades, this tradition has continued to grow, becoming Medellín’s most iconic festival and attracting travelers from all over the world.
Today, Feria de las Flores is much more than flowers. With its colorful parades, cultural events, concerts, dances, traditional food, and artistic displays, both locals and international visitors take over the streets of Medellín to celebrate together.
Whether you are visiting Medellín for the first time or planning your trip specifically for the festival, this guide will help you understand the main events, useful tips, and everything you need to know to make the most of Feria de las Flores 2026.
Must Read: Everyone Should Know This
The Flower Festival is primarily designed for the local community. Many concerts feature traditional Colombian and Paisa music, and some cultural events (such as the National Trova Festival) are best appreciated by native Spanish speakers.
If you do not speak Spanish, you can still enjoy the music, atmosphere, parades, floral displays, and performances. However, events based heavily on humor, improvisation, or wordplay may be harder to follow.
The festival takes place across Medellín, while several of its most authentic experiences are found in Santa Elena, the rural district about 45 minutes from downtown and the birthplace of the silletero tradition. For a complete experience, consider visiting both Medellín and Santa Elena (see Fincas Silleteras section).
Schedules and routes may be subject to last-minute changes. Check official information again before leaving for an event, especially for the major parades.
Safety and Practical Advice
The two main safety issues are heatstroke and pickpocketing.
The largest events attract very big crowds, and thieves feel attracted by foreigners. Arrive early, keep your personal belongings secure, agree on a meeting point if you are attending with other people, and expect delays when entering, leaving, or moving around the event area. (see our Safety Guide)
For street parades, bring water, sun protection, and an umbrella. August is the time of the year with the strongest sun radiation! Be prepared to wait for several hours outdoors.
For the Silleteros Parade, you can either buy tickets for designated seating areas through official distributors (this is usually done several weeks or months in advance. Beware of fishy scalpers selling fake tickets the day of the parade) or watch from the street. If you choose the street, arrive very early, stay hydrated, and prepare for sun and large crowds.
Visiting the fincas silleteras in Santa Elena can be complicated by public transport. Renting a motorcycle or joining an organized tour is usually more practical. (see Fincas Silleteras section)
Must-Attend Events at the Flower Festival
Feria de las Flores lasts for 10 days and transforms nearly every corner of Medellín into a celebration of flowers, music, culture, and tradition. To help you plan your visit, we selected the events that we believe offer the best Flower Festival experience for international visitors.
1. Antique Cars Parade
📅 Friday, August 7
The Classic & Antique Car Parade is one of the most anticipated events of the Flower Festival. Every year, nearly 300 beautifully preserved classic and vintage vehicles, manufactured between 1900 and 1987, parade through Medellín, celebrating more than a century of automotive history. For over 25 years, this beloved tradition has brought together car enthusiasts and families of all ages, making it one of the festival’s signature events.
There are no designated seating areas, so we recommend arriving early, bringing a folding chair or umbrella, and finding a comfortable spot along the route. The parade is scheduled to begin in the morning from Universidad Pontificia Bolivariana (UPB) in Laureles and finish at EAFIT University in El Poblado. The official route may be subject to last-minute changes.
2. Desfile de Silleteros (Silleteros Parade)
📅 Sunday, August 9
📍 Medellín
The Silleteros Parade is the heart and soul of the Flower Festival and Medellín’s most iconic cultural event. Every year, hundreds of silleteros from Santa Elena proudly carry breathtaking silletas—handcrafted floral arrangements made with thousands of fresh flowers—through the streets of the city. It is the grand finale of the festival and one of Colombia’s most extraordinary cultural traditions.
But what exactly is a silleta? It is an intricate floral arrangement, often depicting portraits, landscapes, messages, or artistic designs. Each one is carefully handcrafted by farming families from Santa Elena, using dozens of flower varieties and techniques passed down through generations. The parade is accompanied by marching bands, traditional music, dancers, and folkloric performances.
As the festival’s most popular event, the Silleteros Parade attracts hundreds of thousands of spectators. If you plan to attend, expect large crowds and warm weather.
- Buy tickets for the designated seating areas only through official distributors. Get tickets.
- Alternatively, bring an umbrella and a folding chair to watch from the street. Be patient, stay hydrated, and prepare to wait for several hours under the sun.
3. Orchid Exhibition at the Botanical Garden
📍 Medellín Botanical Garden
📅 August 4–9
Discover one of Medellín’s most beautiful floral experiences at the Botanical Garden. “Florecer: Orchids, Nature & Traditions” features stunning orchid displays, native plants, artistic floral exhibitions, educational activities, and cultural experiences celebrating Colombia’s biodiversity and traditions. It is a perfect event for nature lovers, photographers, and families looking to enjoy a more peaceful side of the Flower Festival. Get tickets here.
4. Fincas Silleteras
The silletas displayed during the Flower Festival are crafted by skilled farmers from Santa Elena, the rural part of Medellín. This tradition has been passed down through generations, with local families using flowers from their crops to create the designs proudly showcased in the parade.
A popular activity among locals and visitors is to visit one of these farms, have a traditional lunch, and learn about silletero culture. We recommend renting a motorcycle or joining a tour because reaching the farms by public transport can be complicated.
We recommend Turismo en Medellín. You can contact them here. They have several daily departures, but the English-guided departure is normally in the morning. The experience introduces visitors to the different types of silletas and the traditions of Paisa culture.
5. National Trova Festival
🎟️ Free admission
📍 Semifinals: Parque de los Deseos (July 31 and August 1)
🏆 Grand Final: Plaza Gardel (August 6)
One of Antioquia’s most authentic traditions, the National Trova Festival celebrates the art of trova—a unique form of musical improvisation in which performers create witty, rhymed verses on the spot in response to different themes and challenges.
This event is best enjoyed by Spanish speakers, as much of the humor relies on improvisation and wordplay. If you do not speak Spanish, you may still enjoy the music, atmosphere, and the performers’ improvisational skills, but you probably will not want to spend the entire evening there.
Whether you are curious about local traditions or simply want to experience a festival loved by Medellín locals, the National Trova Festival offers a unique glimpse into Paisa culture.
Flower Festival Agenda: Day by Day
The following events are the ones we think are most worth considering as an international visitor.
Friday, July 31
- Opening Concert: A free concert in front of El Obelisco in Laureles, about a 10-minute walk from Estadio Metro station. Expect reggaeton, vallenato, and other Colombian music. From 5:00 pm to 1:00 am.
- National Trova Festival – Semifinals: Parque de los Deseos at 6:00 pm.
Saturday, August 1
- Desfile de Chivas y Flores: One of the festival’s most colorful and joyful parades. Colombia’s iconic chivas—traditional rural buses—are decorated with flowers and filled with live music, dancers, and performers. The event celebrates Antioquia’s rural traditions in a lively, family-friendly atmosphere. Regional Avenue at 9:00 am.
- National Trova Festival – Semifinals: Parque de los Deseos at 6:00 pm.
- Zona que Suena — Free Admission: Parque Norte, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. A free family-friendly event featuring live music, dance, circus performances, workshops, and interactive activities for children.
Sunday, August 2
- Avenida Primavera: The newest of Medellín’s major parades transforms Avenida Regional into a vibrant celebration of flowers, music, dance, and creativity. Featuring artistic floats, cultural groups, and floral displays, it showcases the city’s diversity and officially welcomes visitors to the heart of the Flower Festival. You can see it from Parques del Rio and there is no fixed time yet, but it could be around 3 pm
- Free Outdoor Concert – Comuna 4, Aranjuez: Cancha Brasilia, from 7:00 pm to 12:00 am.
- Night Cultural Park – Afro Night: Celebrate Afro-Colombian heritage through music, dance, and live performances inspired by Colombia’s Pacific and Caribbean cultures. Plaza Gardel, from 6:00 pm to 12:00 am.
- Zona que Suena — Free Admission: Parque Norte, from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm. A free family-friendly event featuring live music, dance, circus performances, workshops, and interactive activities for children.
Monday, August 3
- Free Outdoor Concert – Comuna 12, La América: La Floresta Park, from 7:00 pm to 12:00 am.
- Night Cultural Park – Colombian Night: A journey through Colombia’s musical traditions, featuring artists and rhythms from different regions of the country. Plaza Gardel, from 6:00 pm to 12:00 am.
Tuesday, August 4
- Night Cultural Park — Tribute to Grupo Suramérica: A special concert honoring Grupo Suramérica, one of Medellín’s most influential musical ensembles, known for preserving and promoting Colombian folk music. Plaza Gardel, from 6:00 pm to 12:00 am.
- Florecer: Orchids, Nature & Traditions at the Medellin Botanical Garden. 9 am to 7 pm. Get tickets here.
Wednesday, August 5
- Free Outdoor Concert – Comuna 14, El Poblado: El Poblado Park, from 7:00 pm to 12:00 am.
- Night Cultural Park – Son & Bolero Night: An elegant evening dedicated to two of Latin America’s most beloved musical genres, featuring romantic melodies and live orchestras. Plaza Gardel, from 6:00 pm to 12:00 am.
- Florecer: Orchids, Nature & Traditions at the Medellin Botanical Garden. 9 am to 7 pm. Get tickets here.
Thursday, August 6
- Free Outdoor Concert – Comuna 16, Belén: Carrera 70, Juan Pablo II Airport sector.
- National Trova Festival — Grand Final: Plaza Gardel at 6:00 pm.
- Florecer: Orchids, Nature & Traditions at the Medellin Botanical Garden. 9 am to 7 pm. Get tickets here.
Friday, August 7, National Holiday
- Desfile de Autos Clásicos y Antiguos: Travel back in time during one of Medellín’s most beloved traditions. Hundreds of beautifully preserved classic and antique vehicles parade through the city while thousands of spectators enjoy the festive atmosphere.10:30 AM (Official start). Read the complete guide.
- Free Outdoor Concert – Comuna 5, Castilla: Feria de Ganado, from 7:00 pm to 12:00 am.
- Night Cultural Park – Tropical Night: Dance to salsa, tropical rhythms, and festive music during one of the liveliest nights of the festival. Plaza Gardel, from 6:00 pm to 12:00 am.
- Fondas de Mi Tierra – Paid Event: A celebration of Antioquia’s traditions featuring local food, live music, regional culture, and artisan products. Get tickets.
- Florecer: Orchids, Nature & Traditions at the Medellin Botanical Garden. 9 am to 7 pm. Get tickets here.
Saturday, August 8
- Fondas de Mi Tierra – Paid Event: A celebration of Antioquia’s traditions featuring local food, live music, regional culture, and artisan products. Get tickets.
- Super Concierto Feria de Flores – Paid Event: The festival’s biggest concert, featuring nationally and internationally renowned artists. Tickets are required and usually sell out well in advance. Get tickets.
- Florecer: Orchids, Nature & Traditions at the Medellin Botanical Garden. 9 am to 7 pm. Get tickets here.
Sunday, August 9
- 69th Desfile de Silleteros: The most iconic event of Feria de las Flores and the cultural symbol of Medellín. More than 500 silleteros from Santa Elena proudly carry handcrafted floral arrangements weighing up to 70 kilograms. If you can attend only one event during the festival, make it this one. Read the complete guide.
- Florecer: Orchids, Nature & Traditions at the Medellin Botanical Garden. 9 am to 7 pm. Get tickets here.
Experience Medellín Beyond the Festival
We hope this guide has been useful and look forward to seeing you in Medellín during the Flower Festival. To learn more about Paisa and Colombian culture, join one of our daily tours through the city and check the schedule for our free walking tour.
