Medellin is a city that throbs with daily cultural, artistic, economic, and business activities that identify the metropolis internationally.
The Flower Fair, the largest and longest-running festivity in the city, has in the Silletero Parade its central and unequaled attraction that year after year draws thousands of tourists. The Fair is held for two weeks between July and August. Its varied schedule of activities include well-known band presentations on specially set up stages throughout the city, the Antique Auto Show Parade, the Flower Fair Cavalcade, the Orchid, Bird, and Flower Exhibition, the City of Medellin Troubadour Meet, and the Chivas and Flower Parade, among many other activities that would appease the most demanding of tastes.
Another event that has become a symbol of the city is the Christmas lights display that also attracts thousands of visitors. During December and January, Medellin transforms itself into “the light capital”, thanks to the creative use of colorful lights displayed along a good portion of the Medellin River, the Nutibara Hill, the Avenida La Playa Street, and other city roadways and squares. The Christmastime festivities are complemented by the Myths and Legends Parade, fireworks displays, and innumerable cultural activities that take place throughout the city.
As a city of meetings, conventions, and events, Medellin holds the two most important textile and garment sectors fairs in Latin America. Hundreds of buyers and exhibitors from different countries meet at Colombiamoda and Colombiatex, to see the latest in design, materials, and machinery.
Besides the two fairs mentioned above, the city holds an ample array of fairs and events like Expocamacol (construction), Expohogar (home), Expofinca (farm), a Book Fair, the International Poetry Festival, and the International Jazz Festival. Also, important symposiums, seminars, and conventions covering different fields call Medellin home throughout the year.
Medellin then, is a city that vibrates throughout the year extending invitations to locals and visitors alike to partake of the many ever-changing events.
Tourist and Cultural Agenda for 2008
December 2008 January 2009
December 1
Lanterns and Gaiety Musical Group
December 1 to 7
7 Hills Medellín – Extreme Sports Competition
December 4 to 8
Expoheliconias
December 7
Dances, Myths, and Legends Parade
December 7 to January 8
Christmas Holidays in Medellín
Traditional Dances, Myths, and Legends Parade on December 7, officially opens the Christmas Holiday Celebrations in Medellín, which extends into January. On that date the city becomes a multicolored showcase of lights you would not want to miss. The Medellín River Walkway, the Avenida La Playa Street, Pueblito Paisa, thoroughfares, squares, streets and neighborhoods, each compete for a place of honor with their Christmas Lights displays. Traditional Escalera buses tour the city with their charges of contagious merrymakers. Medellín as a whole becomes a veritable sea of revelry and cultural activities. The Christmas Holiday Season is an exceptional time of year to visit Medellín.
First Saturday of every month
Sanalejo Flea Market – Bolívar Square
Last Wednesday of every month
Free admission to 21 different theatres
January 20 to 22
Colombiatex
January 24 to March 8
La Macarena Bullfight Festivities
March 16 to 19
City of Religious Art and Culture
March 27 and 28
Medelink (Digital Culture Festival)
March 27 to 31
Inter-American Development Bank's Annual Meeting
April 17 to May 3
XIX La Fanfarria International Puppet Festival
April 23
Book Day
May 19 to 23
Ibero-American of Porrismo
June 21
Music Festival. Summer Solstice
June 23 to 29, 2009
Medellín International Tango Festival
The topmost expression of a cultural phenomenon; international reference for Medellín, making the city an essential part of Tango's world destinations.
June 12 to 15
XVII Porro Festival
July 4 to 11
XXI International Poetry Festival
July 11 to 20
National Handicrafts Festival
July 21 to 26
VII Medellín Coral Festival
July 29 to 31
Colombiamoda
August 1 to 10
Flower Fair
The Flower Fair, living cultural expression of Antioquia, included as one of the most important of celebrations in the Colombian Calendar, attracts a great influx of national and international visitors year after year. Following we list some of the highlights from among its intense and varied schedule: the Silletero Parade, which in 2007 celebrated its 50th anniversary, the Antique Car Show and Parade, the Cavalcade, Arrieros, Mulas y Fondas, the Silleterito Parade, Orchids, Birds, and Flowers, Talented Women Meet, the National Trova or Troubadour Festival, and the special Musical Tablados or stages, among hundreds of other events.
August 2 to 10
VIII International Storytelling Festival
Corporación Cultural VIVAPALABRA has brought the International Storytelling Festival Among Stories and Flowers since 2000. This year storytellers from Spain, Mexico, Cuba, Chile, Argentina, Colombia, and the best from Medellín will be in attendance.
(574) 239-6104
www.vivapalabra.com
August 7
Silletero Parade
August 7 to 10
Orchids, Birds, and Flowers
Organizes: Orchideology Society of Colombia
August 25 to 30
Sixth City of Medellín Colombian Cinema Festival
September 3 to 13
XII International Jazz and Music of the World Festival
September 14
City of Medellín Half Marathon
September 26 to October 5
Book and Culture Celebration
October 11 to 13
Altavoz: V Music for Youth International Encounter
October 14 to 17
XII Tourist Trade Exchange of the Americas
October 21 to 24
VI National Chamber Music and Colombian Composers Festival
November 15 to 23
Mime and Clown International Festival – MÍMAME |
