From Fair to Festival: The Transformation of Bullfighting Events in Medellín

Origins: La Feria Taurina de La Macarena and its heyday in the 20th century

To understand the transformation of bullfighting events in Medellín, you have to start with the place where they were born: the Plaza de Toros La Macarena. This bullring, inaugurated in 1945 in the neighborhood of the same name, was not just a stage for bullfights; for decades it was the epicenter of the city's social and festive life. Its construction, promoted by the Sociedad de Mejoras Públicas and financed through public subscription, reflected the fervor of an elite that saw bullfighting as a symbol of sophistication and Hispanic tradition.

La Feria Taurina de La Macarena, held every January, coincided with the festivities of the Virgin of la Candelaria, patron saint of Medellín. During those weeks, the city dressed up: renowned Spanish and Mexican bullfighters arrived, the stands filled with entire families wearing their best attire, and downtown hotels were packed with visitors from all over the country. It was not just a bullfight; it was a social ritual that marked the annual calendar of the people of Antioquia. Bullfighting figures like César Rincón or Enrique Ponce were as famous in Medellín as any footballer, and their feats were discussed in the shops on calle Junín and in the gatherings at downtown cafés.

However, the rise of bullfighting in Medellín was never unanimous. From the early decades, intellectual and religious sectors criticized the violence of the spectacle. But the real turning point did not come until the late 20th century, when the animal rights movement began to gain strength in Colombia, driven by a new generation that saw bullfights as an anachronistic and cruel practice. The plaza, once a symbol of prestige, began to be perceived by many as a place of social contradictions: a venue where death was celebrated while the city fought for its image of modernity and progress.

Timeline or historical milestones

The transformation was not a single event, but a gradual process that spanned more than a decade. These are the milestones that marked the path from the traditional fair to the modern festival:

• 2002-2010: Public pressure grows. Organizations like Fundación Rescate Animal lead peaceful protests in front of the plaza every January. The bullfights continue, but lose audience; new generations prefer other spectacles.
• 2011: The Medellín City Council debates for the first time a draft agreement to ban bullfighting in the city. The initiative does not prosper, but it sets an important political precedent.
• 2012: The animal rights movement gets Colombia's Constitutional Court to declare that bullfighting is not a fundamental right, opening the door to local regulations.
• 2017: The municipal administration decides not to renew the plaza's lease contracts for bullfighting events. La Feria Taurina de La Macarena is canceled for the first time in its modern history. Only sporadic cultural events are held.
• 2018: The Medellín City Council approves in the first debate a project to definitively ban bullfights, but the process stalls due to legal appeals from bullfighting entrepreneurs.
• 2020: The COVID-19 pandemic accelerates the change. The plaza closes completely and, upon reopening, it does so under a new cultural administration that emphasizes concerts and festivals.
• 2022: The Constitutional Court ratifies the ban on bullfighting in Medellín, making the city the first Colombian capital to definitively ban bullfighting.
• 2024-2026: Plaza de La Macarena consolidates itself as an alternative events center, hosting everything from rock concerts to food fairs.

Key figures or events

The story of the bullfighting ban in Medellín has names worth remembering. One of them is Marcela Restrepo, leader of the local animal rights movement, who spent more than fifteen years organizing protests and open town hall meetings. Her persistence, along with that of other activists, managed to keep the issue on the public agenda consistently. Another central figure is former mayor Federico Gutiérrez, who during his term (2016-2019) made the administrative decision not to renew bullfighting contracts, arguing that the city should prioritize events that unite, not divide.

On the bullfighting side, businessman Gonzalo Mejía, representative of local cattle ranches, was the visible face of resistance. Mejía tried to keep the tradition alive by taking bullfights to other plazas in the department, such as La Taurina de Sabaneta, but without the backing of the capital, the business became unsustainable. It is also important to mention Carlos Gaviria, the iconic bullfighter from Antioquia who achieved international fame in the 1980s. His retirement in 1995, followed by his death in 2005, symbolized for many the end of a golden era that would not return.

A little-known fact is that the last official bullfight at La Macarena, held in January 2017, was interrupted by a torrential downpour. The attendees, barely 4,000 in a plaza with a capacity of 14,000, left the ring before the third bull finished. Some activists interpreted that moment as a perfect metaphor: even nature seemed to agree with the change.

What happened to the structure? Repurposing the plaza for concerts and cultural events

Plaza de Toros La Macarena was neither demolished nor abandoned. Its structure, with its characteristic circular design and exposed brick facade, was adapted for new uses. As of August 2026, the plaza is operated by Medellín's Secretaría de Cultura Ciudadana and has become a versatile space hosting all kinds of events. The ring, where bulls were once fought, is now covered with a mobile stage for concerts. The stands, once divided between sun and shade, are now used for audiences at independent music festivals and open-air film screenings.

The transformation was not only physical, but also symbolic. In 2023, local artist Jhon Jairo Beltrán painted a 200-square-meter mural on the plaza's exterior facade, depicting Medellín's evolution: from 19th-century carriages to modern trams, including an image of the plaza itself without bulls, full of people dancing. The mural, titled "La Macarena Renace", has become a reference point for tourists seeking to understand the city's cultural change.

Today, the plaza has renovated dressing rooms used for musical artists, modernized public restrooms, and a professional sound system installed in 2024. The most notable concerts held there include performances by local bands like Bomba Estéreo (on their "Deja" tour in 2023) and the Medellín al Aire festival, which since 2022 brings together musicians from across Latin America every September. General admission for these events typically costs between $30,000 and $80,000 COP, reference prices as of August 2026, well below what a ticket to a bullfight cost in its golden era, which could reach $200,000 COP adjusted for current inflation.

The new ecosystem: music festivals, food fairs, and events taking its place

The ban on bullfights did not leave a void; on the contrary, it opened space for an ecosystem of events that today defines Medellín's cultural offering. The most important is the Festival Internacional de Música de La Macarena, held every February and attracting more than 40,000 attendees over three days. This festival not only occupies the plaza but also extends to Parque de la Macarena and the surrounding streets, with free stages for emerging artists. The August 2026 program includes tributes to Colombian Andean music and a night dedicated to Latin jazz.

Another event that has taken center stage is the "Sabores de la Montaña" Food Fair, held every June. Tents are set up in the plaza's ring with more than 60 local restaurants offering everything from bandeja paisa to fusion cuisine with Asian influences. Attendees can sample dishes from $15,000 COP and enjoy free cooking classes taught by renowned city chefs. This fair has been key to changing the perception of the space: where there was once blood, there are now the aromas of sancocho and arepa de chócolo.

Additionally, the plaza has become a venue for corporate and cultural events that previously had no space in Medellín. The Medellín Book Fair, traditionally held at the Plaza Mayor convention center, has moved its youth section to La Macarena since 2024. Entrepreneurship fairs are also held, such as the Expo Artesanal Antioquia, which every December occupies the stands with more than 200 exhibitors from across the department. Hours vary by event, but most activities run between 10am and 10pm, and it is recommended to check schedules before visiting.

Legacy and memory: how the ban redefined Medellín's festive identity

The disappearance of bullfighting was not just a legislative change; it was a redefinition of what Medellín considers festive. For decades, La Feria Taurina de La Macarena was the flagship event of January, and its absence left a gap that the city filled with more inclusive proposals. In 2026, the month of January in Medellín is synonymous with the Summer Festival Season, which includes the Tango Festival (in homage to the legacy of Carlos Gardel), the Feria de las Flores (which remains the most important event of the year, every August), and the new Night of Candles and Music, held on the first Friday of January at Plaza de La Macarena, featuring acoustic concerts and street food.

This change has also had a notable economic impact. According to data from Medellín's Secretaría de Cultura, non-bullfighting events at La Macarena generate approximately 25% more revenue than bullfights in their heyday, thanks to attracting a more diverse audience that spends on food, transportation, and lodging. Hotels in the La Macarena neighborhood, which previously only filled during the bullfighting fair, now have constant occupancy year-round.

The legacy of bullfighting, however, has not been completely erased. The plaza retains its original name, and in its interior hallways, old photographs of bullfighters can still be seen, which the cultural administration decided to keep as a reminder of history. The Museo de la Ciudad, which has had a temporary branch at the plaza since 2023, offers a permanent exhibition titled "Del ruedo al escenario", documenting the transformation with videos, original bullfight posters, and testimonies from those who lived through both eras. Museum admission is free on Sundays.

A curious fact few know is that the ban on bullfighting in Medellín inspired other Colombian cities. Bogotá, which still allows bullfighting at Plaza de Santamaría, has seen an increase in animal rights protests since 2022, and in 2025 the capital's City Council initiated a similar debate. Medellín has become an international reference, and delegations from Mexico and Peru have visited the city to study how the plaza was repurposed for cultural purposes. In August 2026, the city hosted the first "Latin American Meeting of Cities Without Bullfighting", bringing together mayors from more than 20 municipalities.

The transformation of bullfighting events in Medellín is, at its core, a story about how a city can change its symbols without erasing its memory. Plaza de La Macarena is no longer a place of death, but it remains a place of encounter. And that, for those of us who love this city, is a victory worth celebrating with a concert, an arepa, and a stroll through its renovated stands.

If you want to explore the spaces that replaced the fair, download our interactive map "La Macarena Hoy" from the Malokal homepage. It includes the stops on the new cultural circuit.

## Tickets, Pricing, and Where to Buy The Flower Fair 2026, held from July 31 to August 9 in Medellín, is mostly free and open to the public. Concerts and shows at public stages do not require tickets, but some special events like the final of the Trova Festival at Plaza Gardel may have free entry with limited capacity. For private events or grandstands at the Silleteros Parade, it is recommended to purchase tickets through the official channels of the Medellín Mayor's Office and authorized organizers. Prices vary depending on the event and location; check the official Fair website for updates on ticketing and availability. ## Official Schedule and Stage Timetables The official agenda begins on Friday, July 31, with the inaugural stage at the Obelisco sector. During the first weekend (August 1-2), the semifinal of the Trova Festival, the Fair at Bike Rhythm, and the Chivas and Flowers Parade will take place. From August 2 to 6, the Dog Walk, the Avenida Primavera Parade, and the final of the Trova Festival at Plaza Gardel will be held. The main event, the Silleteros Parade, will take place on August 9. For specific stage schedules and events, check the full program on the Medellín Mayor's Office website. ## Getting There and Local Safety Tips Medellín has an integrated transport system: Metro, Metrocable, Metroplús, and buses. To get to the Obelisco and Plaza Gardel, use nearby Metro stations (Estadio and Gardel, respectively). During the Fair, it is recommended to use public transport and avoid private vehicles due to road closures. Keep your belongings safe, use well-lit and busy routes, and follow the instructions of the authorities. For the Silleteros Parade, arrive early and locate yourself in the designated public areas.