Every August, Medellín transforms into one of the most vibrant cities on the planet. The Feria de las Flores, Colombia's most famous festival, fills the city for ten extraordinary days with flower-covered parades, open-air concerts, vintage car shows, and a collective energy that has to be experienced to be believed. If you're planning to visit Medellín in 2026, this is the week to be here.
Feria de las Flores 2026: Dates
The 69th edition of Feria de las Flores runs from Friday, July 31 to Sunday, August 9, 2026, ten full days of events across the city. The grand finale, the Desfile de Silleteros, takes place on Sunday, August 9.
The festival officially kicks off with an opening concert on Friday, August 1 on Carrera 74, in front of the Estadio Atanasio Girardot, starting at 7pm and running through the night.
⚠ Book your accommodation now. August is Medellín's highest-demand month. Hotels in El Poblado and near the parade route are fully booked by June, and the best options sell out even earlier.
The Desfile de Silleteros: Heart of the Festival
Nothing at the Feria compares to the Silletero Parade. Silleteros are flower farmers from Santa Elena, the mountain community above Medellín, who have spent months building their silletas: elaborate floral arrangements worn on the back, some weighing up to 80 kilograms.
The 2026 parade features 530 silleteros, 430 adults, 50 young participants, 50 children, and 10 participants with diverse abilities. The most spectacular entries, the silletas monumentales, stand over 3 meters tall and can represent anything from Colombian landscapes to cultural symbols. Families invest months of work and significant resources in a single competition piece.
Parade route: The procession begins at Puente de Guayaquil (Industriales metro station) at 2pm, heads north, turns east on Calle San Juan, then south on Avenida del Ferrocarril, finishing at Plaza Mayor.
Free street viewing is available along the entire route, arrive by 10am to secure a good spot. Official grandstand tickets (which sell out fast) are available through the Alcaldía de Medellín.
Key Events Throughout the Festival
- Opening Concert (Aug 1), Carrera 74 in front of Estadio Atanasio Girardot. Free, starts 7pm.
- Desfile de Coches Clásicos y Antiguos, Hundreds of vintage cars from the 1920s–70s cruising Avenida Oriental. A car lover's dream.
- Festival Nacional de la Trova, Plaza Gardel. Colombia's finest improvisational poets compete in rapid-fire verse duels.
- Exposición de Orquídeas, The Botanical Garden hosts over 500 native Colombian orchid species, plus flowers and crafts.
- Plaza de las Flores, A traditional Antioquian village recreated in the city center, with live music, artisan crafts, and traditional food.
- Serenata a Medellín, The closing night concert: tango, bolero, and traditional Colombian music under the open sky.
- Tablados Públicos, Free outdoor stages across all neighborhoods with local and national artists. 70% of all events are free to attend.
Visiting the Silletero Farms in Santa Elena
For the most authentic Feria experience, visit the flower farms of Santa Elena the week before the parade. Families open their farms to visitors, where you can watch silletas being assembled, meet the silleteros, and buy cut flowers directly from the growers. The mountain setting, misty, green, and fragrant, is extraordinary.
Getting there independently is difficult due to transport and road closures during the festival. Ask Medellin Group about a guided Santa Elena farm visit, we handle transport and access so you just enjoy it.
Explore Medellín During the Feria
The Feria de las Flores is the perfect reason to see the full city. Between events, Medellín's neighborhoods, street art, and transformation story are best understood with a local guide, someone who can show you not just what the city looks like today, but how it got here.
Our Medellín City Tour covers the key landmarks, neighborhoods (Laureles, El Poblado, Colombia Avenue, the Metrocable), and the stories behind them. During Feria week, we also include stops at live flower displays and festival zones. It's the best introduction to the city, and the best context for understanding why the Silletero Parade matters so much to paisas.
Day Trip: Guatapé During Feria Week
If you're staying in Medellín for the full festival week, a day trip to Guatapé is one of the best things you can do. Just 75 minutes away, Guatapé offers a complete change of scene: the giant El Peñol rock (740 steps to the summit), the colorful lakeside town, boat rides on the reservoir, and fresh fish lunch with views that stretch for kilometers.
It's the perfect escape from the crowds of the festival, and a glimpse into the Antioquian countryside that gives the Feria its soul. We run the Guatapé Day Tour year-round, with private transport from your hotel in Medellín.
Practical Tips for the Feria
- Book accommodation now, ideally in El Poblado or Laureles. Properties with balconies along the parade route are premium and sell out first.
- Use the Metro, driving during Feria week is not recommended. The Metro runs to Industriales (parade start) and San Antonio (center).
- Arrive early for free viewing spots, good street-level positions are taken by 10am for the 2pm parade.
- Pre-book airport transfers, driver availability drops sharply during festival week. Book before you arrive.
- Carry cash, many street vendors and tablados only accept cash.
- Dress in layers, August mornings in Medellín can be cool before the afternoon sun arrives.
Book Your Feria de las Flores Experience with Medellin Group
We are a licensed travel agency based in Medellín with over 15 years of experience. During Feria de las Flores, we offer:
- Private airport transfers (JMC Airport ↔ Medellín hotels)
- Medellín City Tour with Feria highlights
- Guatapé Day Trip from Medellín
- Santa Elena flower farm visits
- Hotel recommendations and bookings
- Full Feria packages (hotel + transfers + tours)
