Good to know
Good to Know
- Most signature events are free or very low-cost; major festivals like Carnival attract millions and require booking accommodation 6+ months in advance.
- Bogotá's cultural calendar peaks June-August and during Christmas season due to stable mountain climate allowing year-round celebrations.
- Major festivals can cause significant traffic and crowding; use TransMilenio or bicycles rather than private cars.
- Book accommodation early for August Carnival (ideally by mid-year) as hotels sell out rapidly.
- Many cultural venues in La Candelaria and Simón Bolívar Park offer free or pay-what-you-wish events during major festivals.
- Events often feature both international and regional Colombian artists, reflecting the country's diverse cultural heritage.
Signature Events
Bogotá Carnival (Carnaval De Bogotá)
- Dates
- August 5-6, 2026
- Month
- August
- Main Venue
- Parque Metropolitano Simón Bolívar and La Candelaria district
- Accessibility
- Free entry for main parades; some special events may have costs
- Description
- Celebrates the city's founding anniversary with parades, street theater, costumed performances, and traditional food stalls. Combines Indigenous heritage, Spanish colonial history, and contemporary urban culture. Pre-carnival celebrations begin in late July.
Cultural Elements
- Comparsas (folkloric parades)
- Street theater
- Muisca indigenous rituals and performances
- Children's carnival in October
- Traditional food and regional gastronomy
Festival De La Candelaria
- Dates
- February 2 annually
- Month
- February
- Main Venue
- La Candelaria (historic center)
- Accessibility
- Free entry
- Description
- Honors Our Lady of Candelaria, the city's patron saint. Blends Catholic traditions with indigenous rituals in Bogotá's historic heart.
Cultural Elements
- Open-air theatre
- Folk dance troupes
- Live Andean music
- Traditional food vendors (chicha, obleas)
- Free artist talks at museums like Casa de la Moneda and Museo Botero
Bogotá International Book Fair (FILBo)
- Dates
- April 21 - May 4, 2026
- Month
- April-May
- Attendance
- Approximately 575,000 visitors over 14 days
- Main Venue
- Corferias Exhibition Center
- Ticket Cost
- COP 12,000
- Accessibility
- General admission required; student and child discounts available
- Description
- One of the most important cultural events in Colombia and the Spanish-speaking world since 1988. Features 500+ exhibitors, over 2,000 literary and cultural activities, author readings, workshops, film screenings, and concerts.
Cultural Elements
- Book presentations and author talks
- Literary workshops and debates
- Film screenings
- Concerts and music performances
- Guest of honor country pavilion (2026: India)
- Children's programming
- Gastronomic exhibitions
Ibero-American Theater Festival (FITB)
- Dates
- March 20 - April 5, 2026
- Month
- March-April
- Main Venue
- Multiple venues throughout La Candelaria and city center
- Accessibility
- Many free performances; some paid events
- Description
- The world's largest theater festival according to sources. Streets are transformed into stages with performances by international companies, workshops, and theatrical experiences.
Cultural Elements
- International theater companies
- Workshops
- Street performances
- Contemporary and traditional theater
Colombian Crafts Fair (Expoartesanías)
- Dates
- August 5-15, 2026
- Month
- August
- Main Venue
- Corferias
- Accessibility
- Open to public
- Description
- Artisans from across Colombia display ancestral crafting techniques and traditional wares.
Cultural Elements
- Wayúu weaving
- Ráquira ceramics
- Pre-Columbian jewelry
- Traditional handmade goods from all Colombian regions
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this signature annual events research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About Bogotá
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.