Manizales International Theater Festival 2026: Lineup, Dates, and How to Attend

What is the Manizales International Theater Festival?

If you are reading this, you have probably heard that Manizales becomes a different city for ten days each year. It is not the January Manizales Fair, with its stages and popular music. It is something more intimate, noisier in silence, more unsettling, and for many, more memorable. I am talking about the Manizales International Theater Festival, the FITM, which in 2026 reaches its 58th edition.

Since 1968, this festival has turned the capital of Caldas into the epicenter of performing arts in Latin America. It is not just another event: it is the oldest theater festival in Colombia and one of the most important on the continent. During its program, the city's theaters, streets, parks, schools, and even prisons fill with stories. The 2026 edition will take place from September 26 to October 4, and if you love theater, dance, or contemporary circus, this is your place in the world during those dates.

What makes the FITM special is not just the quality of the works, which is extremely high. It is the way the city transforms. You could be having a coffee in Plaza de Bolívar and suddenly a troupe of Ukrainian or Argentine actors appears, staging a scene three meters away from you. The people of Manizales grew up with this. Tourists, for their part, end up saying they had never seen a city so wholly devoted to a cultural event.

This article is a practical and honest guide, written by someone who knows Manizales firsthand, so you know what to expect, how to get around, how much it costs, and how not to miss the best of the 2026 lineup.

Official dates and main venues

The 58th edition of the FITM will take place between Saturday, September 26, and Sunday, October 4, 2026. These are nine days of intense programming, with performances in different parts of the city. Unlike other festivals that concentrate on a single venue, the FITM spreads throughout Manizales, which is part of its charm and also its logistical complexity.

Teatro Los Fundadores: the heart of the festival

The main venue is the Teatro Los Fundadores, located at Carrera 22 with Calle 63, in the heart of the downtown area. This is the stage where the biggest works, the largest international productions, and gala performances traditionally take place. If you can only attend one show, prioritize this theater's lineup.

The theater has a capacity of around 900 people, so tickets for the star performances sell out quickly. The recommendation is to buy at least two weeks in advance when the official box office opens.

Other traditional FITM venues

In addition to Los Fundadores, the festival uses several fixed spaces that you should know to plan your agenda:

• Teatro Universitario de la Universidad de Caldas (Calle 65 # 26-10): home to experimental works and university productions.
• Teatro Bellas Artes (Carrera 23 with Calle 61): a historic space for medium-format performances.
• Convención y Eventos de la Cámara de Comercio de Manizales: workshops and some special performances are held here.
• Parqueadero del Cable: open-air stage for large-format street works.
• Plaza de Bolívar: the heart of the city becomes a stage for massive free shows.
• Centro Cultural Universitario Rogelio Salmona, of the Universidad Nacional Manizales campus: a spectacular building that usually hosts contemporary dance performances.

There is also programming in neighborhoods like La Enea, Villamaría (neighboring municipality), and in peripheral communes where mobile stages are set up. The logic is to bring theater to those who cannot afford a ticket, and that is noticeable in the city's atmosphere.

Featured groups and works of the 2026 lineup

As of August 2026, the festival organization has confirmed that the complete official program will be announced in mid-September. However, there is leaked information and partial confirmations already circulating in the city's theater circles. Here is what is known so far, with the warning that the final lineup may vary.

Confirmed international companies

The FITM always brings the best of the Latin American and European scene. For the 58th edition, the presence of at least three major names has been confirmed:

• Teatro La Candelaria (Colombia): the most iconic Bogotá group of collective creation theater, with over 50 years of trajectory. They are expected to present a work from their recent repertoire.
• Grupo de Teatro de la Universidad de São Paulo (Brazil): they will bring a large-format production about urban violence, which already made waves at the Curitiba Festival.
• Compañía Nacional de Teatro de México: they will present a contemporary adaptation of a Mexican theater classic, with a cast of over 20 actors.

What to expect from the national program

Manizales is a city with a strong theater tradition. The Universidad de Caldas and the Universidad Nacional have drama schools that train generations of actors, and the festival is their natural showcase. For 2026, productions are expected from:

• Matacandelas (Medellín): one of the most respected companies in the country.
• Teatro Petra (Bogotá): known for their physical research work.
• La Libélula Teatro (Manizales): the local house always has a presence, and their works are usually the most applauded by the home audience.

Street and large-format works

One of the biggest attractions of the FITM is street theater. In recent editions, performances in Plaza de Bolívar have gathered more than 5,000 people. For 2026, a French aerial theater company is expected to present a scene suspended above the Bolívar statue. It is a free show worth seeing even if you have never been to a theater in your life.

Parallel program: workshops, talks, and complementary activities

The FITM is not just about watching works. It is also a space for training and meeting for artists and students. If you are professionally interested in the performing arts, the parallel program can be as valuable as the performances.

Training workshops

During the festival, intensive workshops are held on acting, playwriting, directing, lighting, and cultural management. They are taught by international masters who come with the invited companies. Prices are modest (between $50,000 and $150,000 COP per workshop, depending on duration) and spots are limited.

Workshops usually take place at the facilities of the Universidad de Caldas and the Centro Cultural del Banco de la República. Registration is done directly on the festival's website or at the physical box office of Teatro Los Fundadores.

Talks and discussions

The festival's afternoons fill with discussions where the directors of the works talk with the public about their creative processes. These events are free and take place at the Biblioteca Pública Municipal and the Museo de Arte de Caldas. For the general public, it is a unique opportunity to understand what lies behind a production.

Street activities

The street program includes parades, urban interventions, and flash performances that appear without notice in places like Carrera 23 or Parque Caldas. If you see a group of people in strange costumes on the street, it is not a costume parade: it is the festival. Stop and watch, because it is probably a complete work in intervention format.

How to get tickets and prices

The FITM box office is managed directly by the festival organization. Sales usually open two weeks before the start, that is, around September 12, 2026. There are two official channels:

• Online sales: through the festival's official website (festivaldemanizales.com) and the Tu Boleta platform.
• Physical sales: at the Teatro Los Fundadores box office, Monday to Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Reference price ranges (August 2026)

Prices vary depending on the venue and the work. So you can budget, here are the ranges used in the 2025 edition, which will likely remain with slight adjustments:

• Star performances at Teatro Los Fundadores: between $60,000 and $120,000 COP per person.
• Performances at university theaters: between $30,000 and $50,000 COP.
• Street works and performances in parks: free.
• Training workshops: between $50,000 and $150,000 COP.
• Discussions and talks: free.

There are discounts for students, seniors, and groups of more than 10 people. If you are a student, do not forget to bring your ID because most performances have a special rate of 50% off the ticket price.

A local tip: the closing performance on the last day usually has cheaper tickets and a total party atmosphere, because artists from all companies stay to watch the final show and the audience mingles with them in the theater hallways.

Practical guide: transportation, lodging, and gastronomy in Manizales

Manizales is not a city ## Boletería, Precios y Dónde Comprar La venta de abonos y boletas para el 58 Festival Internacional de Teatro de Manizales inició el 10 de junio de 2026 con una tarifa especial de lanzamiento para los asistentes al evento de presentación en el Auditorio de la Universidad Nacional (entrada libre). Los precios oficiales para la edición 2026 aún no han sido publicados en su totalidad, pero se espera que mantengan rangos similares a ediciones anteriores: boletas individuales entre $30,000 y $80,000 COP, y abonos para toda la temporada entre $150,000 y $350,000 COP, dependiendo de la ubicación y la función. La compra se puede realizar a través de la plataforma oficial del festival (festivaldeteatrodemanizales.com) y en la boletería del Teatro Los Fundadores (Carrera 23 # 22-45). Se recomienda adquirir con anticipación, ya que las funciones principales suelen agotarse. Para el evento 'Dos para el Infierno' (programado en el Teatro Torreón del Instituto Técnico Marco Fidel Suárez, Carrera 10 # 12b-65, 7:30 p.m.), la boletería tiene un costo de $40,000 COP y es para mayores de 18 años. ## Programación Oficial y Horarios por Tarimas El 58 Festival Internacional de Teatro de Manizales se llevará a cabo del 26 de septiembre al 4 de octubre de 2026, con una variada programación en diferentes escenarios de la ciudad. Aunque la cartelera completa se publicará en agosto, se han confirmado las siguientes actividades: - **Obra 'Dos para el Infierno'** – Teatro Torreón (Instituto Técnico Marco Fidel Suárez, Carrera 10 # 12b-65), 7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. (boletería, mayores de 18). - **Funciones centrales** – Teatro Los Fundadores (Centro Cultural y de Convenciones, Carrera 23 # 22-45), con funciones en doble horario: 4:00 p.m. y 8:00 p.m. (confirmar cartelera). - **Eventos alternos** – Salas alternativas como el Auditorio de la Universidad Nacional y la Casa de la Cultura Palogrande, con funciones gratuitas o de bajo costo. La programación incluirá compañías internacionales y nacionales, con énfasis en el tema de la 'Incertidumbre y Crisis Civilizatoria'. Se recomienda consultar la página oficial y redes sociales del festival para actualizaciones diarias. ## Cómo Llegar y Consejos de Seguridad Manizales cuenta con un sistema de transporte público compuesto por buses y el Cable Aéreo. Para llegar al Teatro Los Fundadores (Centro Cultural y de Convenciones), se puede utilizar el Cable Aéreo hasta la estación Fundadores, o tomar buses urbanos que pasan por la Avenida Santander (rutas 1, 5, 9 y 18). El Teatro Torreón (Instituto Técnico Marco Fidel Suárez) se ubica en la Carrera 10 # 12b-65, en el centro de la ciudad; se puede llegar en bus (rutas 2, 7 y 12) o a pie desde el Parque Caldas. Recomendaciones de seguridad: - Asistir con tiempo (al menos 30 minutos antes de cada función) para evitar filas y contratiempos. - En zonas concurridas, cuidar pertenencias personales y evitar mostrar objetos de valor. - Usar transporte oficial o aplicaciones de movilidad (Uber, Didi) al salir de noche, especialmente en sectores como el centro y la Galería. - Para eventos al aire libre o en horarios nocturnos, ir en grupo y mantenerse en áreas iluminadas. - Verificar la programación actualizada en la web del festival, ya que pueden haber cambios de último minuto. ## Tickets, Pricing, and Where to Buy Tickets for the 58th Manizales International Theater Festival (FITM) will be available through the event's official platform and at the Teatro Los Fundadores box office. Although official prices per show will be announced soon (T-15), the festival typically offers tiered pricing: general admission, discounts for students, seniors, and groups. It is recommended to purchase tickets in advance, as main performances often sell out. For more information, visit the festival's official website or Plan 52 Manizales. Minimum age for entry is 14. ## Official Schedule and Stage Timetables The 58th FITM will take place from September 26 to October 4, 2026, with the main venue at Teatro Los Fundadores. The official program will feature a strong presence of international companies and significant representation of the Colombian scene, focusing on uncertainty and civilizational crisis. Daily schedules and showtimes will be published on the festival's official website and social media. Performances are expected in conventional halls and alternative spaces across the city. For a detailed schedule, check Plan 52 Manizales or the festival's website. ## Getting There and Local Safety Tips Manizales is served by La Nubia Airport (MZL) and overland connections from Bogotá, Medellín, and Cali. To get around the city, public transportation (buses and taxis) or ride-hailing apps are recommended. Teatro Los Fundadores is located downtown, near Plaza de Bolívar. It is advisable to arrive early for shows, avoid poorly lit areas, and use formal transportation. For more details on routes and recommendations, check the Manizales Mayor's Office website.