What is Feria de las Flores and why you can't miss it?
If there's one week when Medellín transforms completely, it's during Feria de las Flores. It's not just a tourist event: it's the city's most important celebration, where the farming tradition of Santa Elena takes over the streets, neighborhoods fill with music, and the entire city breathes culture. For August 2026, the Mayor's Office of Medellín has prepared an edition with more than 120 official activities, most of them free, under the official slogan “Medellín Loves You and Blooms for You”.
The Feria is not just a single parade. It's ten days of concerts, classic car parades, the trova festival, orchid exhibitions, stages in every neighborhood, and, of course, the famous Desfile de Silleteros, which is the heart of the celebration. If you're coming from outside, this is the closest thing to seeing the paisa identity in its purest form. If you're local, you probably already know that these days the city is experienced with a different energy.
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The best part is you don't need a huge budget to enjoy it. The vast majority of events are free and open to the public. All you have to do is organize yourself well, and that's what this guide is for.
Key dates: the official calendar of Feria de las Flores 2026
Feria de las Flores 2026 will officially take place from Friday, July 31 to Sunday, August 9, 2026. Note this is important: although many people associate the Feria only with the Desfile de Silleteros (which is almost always the second Sunday of August), the program starts days earlier and there are events every day.
Here's the calendar with the dates you can't miss. Keep in mind that the Mayor's Office publishes the complete and detailed program on its official website www.medellin.gov.co, where you can download the PDF of more than 110 pages with all events. It's worth checking before traveling, because some activities change times or are confirmed at the last minute.
Friday, July 31: Official opening
The Feria kicks off with an opening event that generally includes a big concert in the city center or at a main stage. In addition to the opening, the Plazas de Flores begin to set up in different points of Medellín. These plazas are spaces where local florists sell their products and display traditional arrangements. They're perfect for warming up and taking photos without the weekend crowds.
Saturday, August 1 and Sunday, August 2: First weekend of concerts and parades
The first weekend of the Feria is packed with activities. It's very likely that the Desfile de Autos Clásicos y Antiguos will take place on Saturday, along Avenida del Poblado or in the El Poblado area. This parade is free and brings together hundreds of collectors with automotive gems from the early 20th century. The stages (open-air venues) also start in different neighborhoods, with local and national artists.
On Sunday, there are usually family events in the main parks, such as Parque de los Deseos or Parque Norte. It's a good day to explore the city without the chaos of the main parade.
Monday, August 3 to Thursday, August 7: Culture, trova, and tradition
During the week, the Feria becomes more cultural. The semifinals and final of the Festival de la Trova take place, an unmissable event to understand the humor and wit of the paisa people. Trova is a duel of improvised singing in verse, and the finalists are true folk poets. The festival is held at different venues, but the final is usually in a theater or large auditorium. Tickets for the final are limited, but the open-air semifinals are free.
Also during these days, the Calle de los Artistas takes place, a space where painters, sculptors, and artisans exhibit and sell their works right on the street. It's a unique opportunity to buy local art directly from the creators.
Friday, August 7 and Saturday, August 8: The prelude to the grand parade
On Friday, the Noche de la Feria or concerts take place in the Zona de la 70 or downtown. Saturday, August 8 is the day of the Desfile Avenida Primavera, a relatively new activity that has already become a tradition. This parade runs along Avenida Primavera (in the Manrique neighborhood) and features big artists, comparsas, and floats. It's like a dress rehearsal for the Desfile de Silleteros, but with a more local and less massive atmosphere.
The same Saturday, the Cabalgata takes place in some nearby municipalities (although this activity has been debated due to animal welfare concerns, so check if it remains in the official 2026 program).
Sunday, August 9: Desfile de Silleteros (the most important day)
This is the day everyone waits for. The Desfile de Silleteros runs along Avenida del Poblado from early morning. Thousands of farmers from Santa Elena carry on their backs the silletas, floral arrangements that can weigh more than 70 kilos and measure up to 1.80 meters tall. It's a spectacle that combines physical effort, art, and tradition. That day, Medellín comes to a standstill and the whole world looks at the city.
Desfile de Silleteros: History, tickets, and the best spots to watch it for free
To understand the Desfile de Silleteros, you have to talk about Santa Elena, a corregimiento of Medellín about 40 minutes from the center, located 2,600 meters above sea level. There, farmers have cultivated flowers for generations. The tradition of the silleta was born over a century ago, when farmers used a kind of wooden chair on their backs to transport family members or goods. Over time, that structure became a canvas for creating floral arrangements.
The parade is a contest in which the silleteros compete in different categories (traditional, emblematic, monumental, among others). The top prize is the Ganador Absoluto, a title awarded to the most spectacular silleta and meaning prestige and recognition for a lifetime of work. In the 68th edition (2025), the winner was Juan Pablo Sánchez Martínez, and for 2026, an even more competitive contest is expected.
A novelty for 2026 already announced by the Mayor's Office: the silleteros, silleteras, and silleteritos (children starting in the tradition) will debut a new uniform. This is a nod to the evolution of the tradition, which seeks to keep the flame alive among new generations.
How to get tickets for the Desfile de Silleteros
The parade has a section with official grandstands that are sold in advance. These tickets include seating, portable toilet areas, and in some cases hydration. The problem is they sell out fast. For 2026, sales were enabled online through the Mayor's Office official platform and authorized tour operators.
If you didn't get a ticket (or don't want to pay), don't worry: there are many free spots along Avenida del Poblado. However, you have to arrive early and be patient with the crowds.
Best places to watch the parade for free
The parade runs along Avenida del Poblado from Calle 10 to Parque de El Poblado, approximately. Here are some local tips:
- The stretch of Calle 10 with Avenida del Poblado: It's the start of the route. There are fewer people than at the end, but the silleteros are still warming up and don't always go at their maximum pace. However, since it's the start, you can see them unload the trucks and prepare.
- The area of Estación Poblado of the Metro: This area has wide sidewalks and trees that provide shade. Arrive before 7:00 am to secure a good spot.
- The Los Parra area (near Parque del Poblado): It's the end of the route. The silleteros are already tired, but they strive to finish with pride. Here, people celebrate a lot and there's a marathon finish-line atmosphere.
A key recommendation: bring an umbrella, water, and sunscreen. The sun in Medellín in August is intense and the parade lasts between 4 and 6 hours. Also bring a folding chair if you can, because standing for so long is tiring. And please, don't push or get onto the road: the silleteros need space to
