Nightlife Events in Cali Only Locals Know: The Calendar of 'Fiestas de Barrio' and 'Verbenas

Why are fiestas de barrio the hidden soul of Cali nightlife?

If you arrive in Cali asking about the nightlife, you'll most likely be sent to Juanchito, Avenida Sexta, or Parque del Perro. And yes, those places are cool. But if you really want to understand why this city is called the salsa capital, you have to step off the tourist map and dive into a verbena de barrio. Here, there's no 50,000-peso cover charge or lines with bouncers. Here, the party is set up on a corner, with a borrowed picó, beer in a bag, and a crowd that dances until the sun comes up. In May 2026, this tradition is more alive than ever, and in this article I'll tell you where and when to find it.

What it is and context

The verbenas and fiestas de barrio in Cali are community events that originated in working-class neighborhoods as a way to celebrate patron saint festivals, neighborhood birthdays, or national holidays. There is no official organizer: the community action board, the neighbors, or a group of friends put the party together. They get a picó (that giant sound system that is a religion in Cali), set up speakers in the street, close off the block with tape, and that's it. Entry is free or costs a symbolic contribution. What is sold — beer, aguardiente, empanadas, chorizos — funds the next party.

For the tourist looking for authentic nightlife in Cali, this is pure gold. There's no show staged for tourists here. It's locals dancing like locals, with steps they learned as children. And if you dare to step into the circle, they'll welcome you with a smile and teach you a step or two.

Calendar of verbenas and fiestas de barrio in Cali (2025–2026)

This calendar is not in any tourist guide. I put it together by asking insiders, checking historical dates, and confirming with community leaders. Exact dates may vary each year, but the season is fixed.

January – March: Carnaval de Negros y Blancos in Siloé and Terrón Colorado

While Pasto gets all the fame for its Carnaval de Negros y Blancos, in Cali there are local versions that are a blast. In the barrio Siloé (western hillside of the city) and in Terrón Colorado (east side), during the first week of January, street verbenas are set up with costumes, black and white paint, and lots of salsa. People take over the streets from noon until dawn. The picó starts playing at 2 PM and doesn't stop until the neighbors get tired. There's no official stage: the street is the stage.

• When: First week of January (1st to 6th, approximately).
• Where: Main streets of Siloé (around the Iglesia de Siloé) and Terrón Colorado (near the multi-purpose court).
• What to bring: Clothes you can get dirty, because you will be painted, no doubt. Bring your own beer if you want, but they sell it at neighborhood prices: $3,000 – $4,000 COP per can.
• Fun fact: In Siloé, the January verbena is combined with the "Bajada de Reyes", a religious procession that ends in dancing. Yes, first the saint, then the rumba.

April – June: Fiestas de San Antonio and verbena de la 14

San Antonio is one of the most traditional and picturesque neighborhoods in Cali. In April or May (depending on the liturgical calendar), they celebrate the feast of their patron saint. The verbena is set up in the Plazoleta de San Antonio and the surrounding streets. Here, the atmosphere is more family-friendly during the day, but at night it heats up with salsa and some popular music. The empanadas from Señora María, who has been selling them on the church corner for 20 years, are a must-try.

On the other hand, the verbena de la 14 (Calle 14 with Carrera 5, in the barrio San Pascual) is a tradition that starts in June, during the festivities of the Sacred Heart. It's smaller, but more authentic. Here, the picó is provided by a neighbor who has been collecting salsa vinyl records since the 80s. If you want to hear Joe Arroyo, Grupo Niche, and Sonora Dinamita on original vinyl, this is your place.

• When: Fiestas de San Antonio: variable, usually April or May. Verbena de la 14: mid-June.
• Where: Plazoleta de San Antonio (Cra 6 with Calle 2) and Calle 14 with Cra 5.
• Reference prices (May 2026): Beer $3,500 COP, aguardiente $5,000 COP per glass, empanadas $2,000 COP each.
• Tip: In San Antonio, arrive before 7 PM if you want to get a spot in the square. After 9 PM, there's not a soul left to fit.

July – September: Craft Beer Festival in barrio Obrero

The barrio Obrero (near the MÍO station of the same name) is not famous for its nightlife, but since 2022 it has been organizing a craft beer festival that combines the best of both worlds: the tradition of the verbena with the craft beer scene. It is set up in the Plaza del Obrero (Cra 15 with Calle 7) during a weekend in August or September. There are about 10 stands from local breweries (like Cerveza Colón, Cerveza Macondo, and Brew House Cali), but there are also picós, live salsa dancers, and street food.

• When: Variable, usually the second or third weekend of August.
• Where: Plaza del Obrero, barrio Obrero.
• Prices: Glass of craft beer from $8,000 COP. Entry is free.
• Fun fact: This festival was born because a group of neighbors complained that the neighborhood had no nightlife events. The community action board supported them, and today it's one of the coolest verbenas in the city.

October – December: Christmas lights with rumba in barrio El Calvario

If you think Christmas lights are just for kids, you haven't been to El Calvario. This neighborhood in east-central Cali is decked out in lights from late November until January 6th. But what few people know is that, between blocks of decorations, improvised verbenas are set up. Neighbors put their picós on the corners and people dance salsa among colored lights and nativity scenes. It's a surreal experience: the smell of gunpowder, music at full volume, and streets full of entire families dancing.

• When: Late November until January 6th. The biggest verbenas are on December weekends.
• Where: Streets around the Iglesia de El Calvario (Cra 10 with Calle 9).
• Prices: Free. You buy beer from the local shops, which stay open late.
• Tip: Go early to see the lights before the heavy rumba starts (around 8 PM). After 10 PM, the street turns into a dance floor.

Prices and how to get tickets

Most of these verbenas do not have tickets. They are free and open to the public. The only thing you pay for is what you consume. Prices are popular:

• Canned or bottled beer: $3,000 – $4,500 COP.
• Aguardiente or rum per glass: $4,000 – $6,000 COP.
• Street food (empanadas, chorizos, arepas de huevo): $2,000 – $5,000 COP.
• At the Craft Beer Festival, a glass of specialty beer costs between $8,000 and $12,000 COP.

For more organized events (like the Craft Beer Festival), they sometimes sell pre-paid consumption cards at the entrance. Bring cash, because many stalls don't have card readers. ATMs near these neighborhoods can have long lines or run out of bills, so get cash beforehand.

How to get there

Most of these neighborhoods are connected by the MÍO system (Cali's articulated bus). Here are the key routes:

Event details (lineup, program, dates)

...

Tips for attendees

...