Ten days of flower parades, salsa, classic cars, and street concerts in the city that reinvented itself. Colombia's biggest annual celebration.
Annual. Typically runs for 10 days spanning late July into early August. Exact dates confirmed by Medellín's city government each year, usually by March.
Feria de las Flores has taken place in Medellín every year since 1957. The centrepiece is the Silletero Parade: flower artists from the Santa Elena corregimiento (a mountain village above the city) carry elaborate silletas (wooden frames bearing intricate flower arrangements) on their backs through the city streets. The largest silletas weigh over 70 kilograms. The parade draws 100,000+ spectators along the route through El Centro and Parque Berrío.
The wider Feria programme runs for 10 days and includes the Classic Car Parade (Desfile de Autos Clásicos y Antiguos: some of the best-preserved vintage American cars in South America), the Tango Parade (Medellín has deep tango roots, having been one of the cities where Argentine tango spread to in the early 20th century), free street concerts in El Centro and Parque Berrío, and flower exhibitions across the city.
Medellín is the most popular backpacker city in Colombia for good reason: the climate is permanently spring-like (the city sits at 1,495 metres altitude), the MetroCable is one of the most dramatic urban transport systems in South America, the street food is excellent, and the hostel scene in El Poblado is well developed. During the Feria, hostel beds fill 3–4 weeks in advance. Book before you book your flights.
El Poblado is where most BPH hostels sit: it is the party neighbourhood, with Parque del Poblado and the surrounding streets lined with bars and restaurants. The Feria parade route is in El Centro, about 30 minutes by Metro from El Poblado. The Metro runs reliably and covers the journey from El Poblado (Estadio or Industriales station) to Parque Berrío in the centre. Prices verified March 2026.
Party hostels within reach of Medellin's main celebrations. Ranked by guest rating.
Medellín has two airports. José María Córdova Airport (45 minutes from the city) serves international and most domestic routes. Enrique Olaya Herrera Airport (10 minutes from El Poblado) serves some domestic routes. Bogotá is the primary international gateway: most backpackers fly Bogotá–Medellín domestically.
Day-by-day breakdown
The Silletero Parade typically happens on a Sunday during the Feria. Flower artists from the Santa Elena mountain community carry silletas: frames of fresh flowers, often depicting scenes, landscapes, or portraits: through the streets of El Centro. Arrive at Parque Berrío by 9am to secure a position along the route. The parade itself runs from mid-morning through the early afternoon. The sheer scale and artistry of the silletas is unlike any comparable parade.
The Desfile de Autos Clásicos y Antiguos is one of the largest classic car parades in South America. Hundreds of immaculately maintained 1940s, 1950s, and 1960s American cars drive a route through the city. The Colombian enthusiasm for vintage American cars (a legacy of the mid-century import era) means the quality of the vehicles is genuinely impressive. Free to watch from the street.
Free outdoor concerts take place across El Centro and Parque Berrío throughout the Feria. The Tango Parade: Medellín's specific cultural contribution to the wider Colombia carnival tradition: runs through the streets of the Manrique neighbourhood. Tango has been danced in Medellín since the 1930s and the tradition is genuine rather than touristic.
El Poblado's nightlife is concentrated around Parque del Poblado and the streets of El Camino Real and La 10. During the Feria, the bars and clubs on these streets run at higher capacity than usual with live music and DJs. The area is safe for backpackers and extremely well served by hostels. The Metro back to El Centro runs until midnight; after that, registered taxis are the standard option.
Realistic costs per person · Verified March 2026
Prices in GBP. Festival week prices may be higher than standard rates. Prices verified March 2026.
Other festivals and parties in the same region
Pre-booked private transfers and shared shuttles for your arrival.
