Medellin’s Flower Festival or Feria de las Flores, the city’s most important cultural event of the year, returns for its 55th edition from August 3 to 12.
Over the course of ten days, Medellin will host some 150 events that are expected to attract thousands of national and international tourists.
Traditional highlights are the parade of “silleteros,” artisans who carry elaborate flower arrangements known as “silletas” on their backs, a horse parade and a classic car parade.
Lesser-known, but must-see events of the Flower Festival include musical theme nights as well as orchid and parrot expositions.
The following is a guide of recommended things to do and to see in Medellin during the Feria de las Flores:
Friday, August 3
• Official start of the Feria de las Flores – Alpujarra (6PM – 1AM)
• Concert “Festival of the Trova,” traditional music – Plaza Gardel (5PM – 11PM)
• Orchid, bird and flower exposition – Botanical Garden (all day)
• Artisan and gastronomy fair – Veracruz mall (all day)
• Flower and butterfly exhibition – Union mall (all day)
Saturday, August 4
• Children’s parade of flower arrangements – La Floresta (10AM)
• Bolero night, concert “Parque Cultural Nocturno” – Parque de los Pies Descalzos (5PM – 11PM)
• Orchid, bird and flower exposition – Botanical Garden (all day)
• Exhibition “Homage to artist Ramon Vasquez” – Palacio de la Cultura Rafael Uribe (all day)
• Tango show – Salon Malaga (5:30PM – 10:30PM)
• 7th International Women’s Soccer Tournament – Cancha Martes (from 2PM)
Sunday, August 5
• Afro-Colombian night, concert “Parque Cultural Nocturno” – Parque de los Pies Descalzos (5PM – 11PM)
• Parade of vintage and classic cars – Avenue 30 and 80 (9:30AM – 1PM)
• Marching band festival – Bus station Terminal del Sur (1PM – 10 PM)
• Culinary Festival “The art of cooking with flowers” – Hotel The Charlee in Parque Lleras (10AM – 11:30PM)
• Orchid, bird and flower exposition – Botanical Garden (all day)
• Car tuning show – Parque Juan Pablo (11AM – 11PM)
Monday, August 6
• Classical music, concert “Parque Cultural Nocturno” – Parque de los Pies Descalzos (5PM – 11PM)
• Exhibition “Colombia, a country to fall in love with” – El Tesoro Parque Comercial (all day)
• Orchid, bird and flower exposition – Botanical Garden (all day)
• Painting exhibition “Festival of Color, Flora and Fauna” – University of Medellin (all day)
• Army motorcycle parade – throughout the city (all day)
Tuesday, August 7
• “Silleteros” parade – Avenida del Rio (from 2 PM)
• Orchid, bird and flower exposition – Botanical Garden (all day)
• Dance show – Salon Malaga (from 3PM)
Wednesday, August 8
• Exhibition of the “silleta” flower arrangement winners – Plaza Mayor (all day)
• Classical music concert “Parque Cultural Nocturno” – Parque de los Pies Descalzos (5PM – 11PM)
• International artisan fair – Premium Plaza mall (all day)
• Musical about local culture – Salon Malaga (3PM)
Thursday, August 9
• Comedy night, concert “Parque Cultural Nocturno” – Parque de los Pies Descalzos (17PM – 23PM)
• Fauna photography competition – Santa Fe zoo (from 6:30PM)
• Tango show – Salon Malaga (3:30PM – 5:30PM)
• Classical music – Metropolitano Theatre (8PM)
Friday, August 10
• Concert “Festival of the Trova,” traditional music – Parque de los Deseos (5PM -11PM)
• Bonsai exhibition – Sandiego mall (all day)
• Tropical night, concert “Parque Cultural Nocturno” – Parque de los Pies Descalzos (17PM – 23PM)
• Music festival with Los Lopez – Carrera 43 / Calle 66 (6PM – 1AM)
Saturday, August 11
• Music festical with Tartana, Sentir Flamenco, Bin Ban Banda – Parque Infantil Zona que Suena (11AM – 6PM)
• Music festival – Parque de los Deseos (6PM – 1AM)
• Exhibition of flower arrangements – Bus station Terminal del Sur (all day)
• Musical “Vamos por ti, Medellin” – Carrera 80 / Calle 102 (2PM – 7PM)
Sunday, August 12
• Music festival with Dixie Band Medellin, Urban Flow and Miranda – Parque Infantil Zona que Suena (11AM – 6PM)
• Horse Parade – throughout the city (from 12PM)
• Acrobatic and artistic show – Casa de Gobierno (3PM – 10PM)
• Gospel concert – Parque de los Deseos (1PM – 10 PM)
• Viejoteca (cumbia) – Salon Malaga (3PM)
