Ten days of classical and chamber music in January inside Cartagena's colonial fortifications: concerts in the San Pedro Claver church, the Baluarte de San Francisco Javier, and outdoor stages on the Walled City's plazas.
The Cartagena International Music Festival uses the walled colonial city as its primary venue, positioning classical and world music performances in the courtyards, churches, and plazas of the UNESCO-listed old town. The festival has run since 2007 and draws established international chamber ensembles and soloists alongside Colombian classical musicians. The architectural settings elevate the listening experience: the Iglesia de San Pedro Claver, a 17th-century Jesuit church with an attached museum, and the Plaza de San Diego are among the most used spaces, with the reverberant stone acoustics working particularly well for chamber music.
Cartagena in January is peak season for the city, with dry weather (28–32°C) and the lowest rainfall of the year. The walled city, Getsemaní neighbourhood, and the Bocagrande beach peninsula are the three areas of most interest to visitors. Getsemaní, immediately adjacent to the old walled city, was for years the budget accommodation area and is now a rapidly developing creative neighbourhood with street murals, independent restaurants, and bars on Calle de la Sierpe. Hostel dorm beds in Getsemaní run COP 40,000–80,000 per night (approximately £8–£15). The festival's free outdoor concerts are announced daily on the festival website and at the tourist information office on the corner of Plaza de la Aduana.
Party hostels within reach of 's main celebrations. Ranked by guest rating.
Day-by-day breakdown
The morning heat in Cartagena in January means most activity is better in the late afternoon after 4pm when the temperature drops to the low 30s. The old town walls can be walked entirely in about 90 minutes; the section above the Las Bóvedas vaulted arches near the San Juan de Dios hospital has the best sea views. Festival venue locations are posted on boards outside the San Pedro Claver church and at the CEDETRABAJO cultural centre on Calle Tumbamuertos.
Evening concerts start at 7:30pm. The Plaza de San Diego is the best outdoor venue: the surrounding colonial houses, the church facade, and the late-evening temperature (24–26°C) combine into an ideal concert setting. After concerts, Getsemaní's bar street on and around Calle de la Sierpe and the Parque del Centenario plaza runs until 2am. The local rum punch, a guarapo of aguardiente, lime, and panela syrup, is the local festival drink.
Pre-booked private transfers and shared shuttles for your arrival.
