La Feria de las Flores 2026: The Route of Parallel Events That Locals Keep to Themselves (and That Don't Appear on the

La Feria de las Flores 2026: beyond the official parade

La Feria de las Flores 2026, in its 69th edition, once again puts the spotlight on the Desfile de Silleteros. However, if you've already witnessed the silleteros passing along Avenida del Río or prefer to avoid the crowds downtown, there's another fair happening in parallel: the one that blooms in the veredas of Santa Elena, in the silletería workshops, and in the fondas along the highway. That's the celebration that paisas tend to keep to themselves.

Before heading out, we recommend checking the prices we mention, which are reference prices from October 2026 and may vary. Use the interactive cards on malokal.com to check a safe map by neighborhood (Locals vs. Foreigners), live holiday schedules, and make direct reservations via WhatsApp. That way, you'll have everything under control.

Located about 45 minutes from downtown Medellín, Santa Elena is reached by going up the road that leaves from barrio El Poblado or from the Terminal del Norte. There, among flower crops, greenhouses, and tapia pisada houses, the true silletera culture is concentrated. Most of the parallel events of the fair take place in veredas like Barro Blanco, El Plan, Piedras Blancas, and the urban center of Santa Elena itself. Entry to almost all these events is free or low-cost, and the atmosphere is family-friendly, calm, and much more authentic than that of the massive events.

Introduction: the fair that doesn't appear on the official agenda

The official Feria de las Flores traditionally opens in late July or early August, with the Desfile de Silleteros as the closing event. In 2026, this calendar is maintained. The Mayor's Office of Medellín publishes an agenda with concerts, parades, and activities in parks, but that agenda doesn't include most of what happens in Santa Elena.

Why does this happen? Because the events in the veredas are organized by community action boards, silletería schools, and farming families. They don't have a marketing budget or a website. They're announced in WhatsApp groups, on local shop bulletin boards, or through word of mouth. This means that if you only follow the official agenda, you'll miss the best part.

Silletera culture is not a spectacle for tourists; it's a peasant tradition that's over a century old. The silleteros carry silletas (wooden structures full of flowers) on their backs that can weigh between 50 and 90 kilos. Before the parade became famous, the peasants of Santa Elena would come down to sell flowers in downtown Medellín with those silletas. Today, the tradition is still alive in the veredas, and during the fair, doors open so anyone can see how the silletas are assembled, try the food at the fondas, and even participate in small contests.

What to do: the route of parallel events in Santa Elena

The fair in Santa Elena doesn't have a single venue. It takes place in several hubs where different activities happen, almost all on the same weekend as the official parade (though some events extend throughout the week). Here we propose a route through the main ones.

Vereda Barro Blanco

Barro Blanco becomes one of the most active veredas during the fair. There, small silleta contests are held, with children and young people from the area participating. It's not the massive parade on Avenida del Río: here the silletas are smaller, carried by kids who learn the trade from a young age. The atmosphere is a community celebration, with music from carpas, food sales, and crafts.

To get there, you can take a bus from the Terminal del Norte or from the center of Santa Elena. Entry is usually free, but check the schedules before visiting, as the programming changes every year. What is constant is that events start in the morning and end before nightfall, so people can return to the city without any issues.

Vereda El Plan

El Plan is another emblematic vereda of silletería. During the fair, several families open their farms to show the silleta assembly process. You'll be able to observe how they select the flowers, how they attach them to the wooden structure, and how they calculate the weight so it doesn't topple over. It's work that takes days, and seeing it live completely transforms the way you perceive the parade.

Some farms charge a symbolic entry fee for the workshops, while others ask for a voluntary contribution. Prices are reference prices from October 2026 and tend to be affordable. If you go with children, this is one of the most recommended activities, as they can participate in miniature silleta workshops.

Corporación Silletera de Santa Elena

The Corporación Silletera de Santa Elena groups together the growers and silleteros of the corregimiento. During the fair, it usually opens workshops to the public where the trade is taught: from planting the flower to assembling the silleta. It's not a museum or a formal tourist attraction, so don't expect a ticket booth or guides in multiple languages. It's a real workspace.

If you're interested in attending a workshop, the best thing is to ask at the tourist information booth in Santa Elena or directly to the silleteros you see in the plaza. The workshop schedule isn't always published in advance.

Plaza principal de Santa Elena

The urban center of Santa Elena comes alive during the fair. There are entrepreneurship fairs, gastronomic showcases, musical performances, and flower sales. It's the natural meeting point to plan your route: from there, buses and colectivos leave for the veredas. The plaza has a church, cafés, and restaurants around it, and it's a good place to start the day with a tinto and an arepa de maíz.

Most activities in the plaza are free. Food prices are reference prices from October 2026 and tend to be cheaper than in El Poblado or Laureles.

Where to eat and drink: the fondas along the Santa Elena road

The road going up from Medellín to Santa Elena is full of fondas and roadside stops. During the fair, many of them offer special menus, live music, and extended hours. They're not luxury restaurants; they're country houses adapted to receive travelers, with wooden tables, wood-fired stoves, and mountain views.

Fonda El Palmar

Fonda El Palmar is one of the traditional stops on the road to Santa Elena. Its specialty is the classic paisa food: bandeja paisa, arepas with quesito, chorizo santarrosano, and mazamorra. During the fair, it usually has a special menu and music from carpas. It's a place to go with time, without rushing, because on fair weekends it fills up quickly.

Prices are reference prices from October 2026 and remain in a mid-range. We suggest checking schedules before visiting, as during the fair they open earlier and close later than usual.

Fondas and roadside stops

In addition to El Palmar, there are several fondas without famous names that serve as bus stops and rest areas for walkers. They offer caldo de costilla, chocolate with cheese, arepas de chócolo, and regional coffee. They don't have a website or social media, but they're there, open every day, and during the fair they're the best place to take a break before continuing up.

If you go by car, keep in mind that the road to Santa Elena has foggy stretches and sharp curves. If you decide to go by bus, ask the driver where to get off: many stop at the fondas if requested in advance.

How to get there and transportation

Santa Elena is connected to Medellín by several routes. The one most used by locals is the bus from the Terminal del Norte, which goes up the old road and takes between 40 minutes and an hour, depending on traffic. Another option is to take the Metro to Acevedo station and from there a bus or colectivo to Santa Elena. There are also buses that leave from downtown Medellín, near Parque Berrío.

During the fair, traffic to Santa Elena increases considerably, especially on the weekend of the parade. If you can, go up early (before 8 a.m.) or on a weekday. Buses usually have affordable fares, and prices are reference prices from October 2026.

If you decide to go by car, there are parking lots in the urban center of Santa Elena and at some fondas, but they fill up quickly. The road has partial closures during the official parade, so check the Mayor's Office mobility plan before heading out. Every year, the Mayor's Office of Medellín publishes road closures and detours for the Desfile de Silleteros and the Desfile de Silleteritos.

Local tips

• Go on a weekday if you can. The weekend of the parade is the most congested. If your plan is to see workshops and fondas, Tuesday or Wednesday are much calmer.
• Bring cash. Many fondas and workshops don't accept cards. The nearest ATMs are in the urban center of Santa Elena, but they don't always work.
• Wear cold-weather clothing. Santa Elena is over 2,500 meters above sea level. It's cold in the morning and it can rain in the afternoon, so bring a waterproof jacket.
• Ask before entering a farm. Not all of them are open to the public. If you see an open gate with people assembling silletas, ask if you can watch. The people of the vereda are friendly, but respect the workspace.
• Don't make up routes. If someone offers you a "secret tour" through tunnels or underground vaults in Santa Elena, be suspicious. They don't exist. Silletera culture is experienced above ground: in the farms, the fondas, and the plaza.
• Buy flowers directly. During the fair, many families sell flowers on the roadside. Buying directly from them supports the peasant economy and you take home an authentic souvenir.

Frequently asked questions

When is La Feria de las Flores 2026 and the Desfile de Silleteros?

La Feria de las Flores 2026 is celebrated in its 69th edition, traditionally in late July or early August. The Desfile de Silleteros is the closing event and runs along Avenida del Río. The exact dates are published by the Mayor's Office of Medellín every year, so it's recommended to check the official calendar before planning your trip.

Are the events in Santa Elena free?

Most of the parallel events in the veredas of Santa Elena are free or low-cost. Some silletería workshops ask for a voluntary contribution, and the fondas charge for food and drinks. Prices are reference prices from October 2026 and may change, so confirm directly with each place.

How do I get to Santa Elena without a car?

You can take a bus from the Terminal del Norte, which goes up the old road, or take the Metro to Acevedo station and from there a bus or colectivo to Santa Elena. There are also buses from downtown Medellín. The trip takes between 40 minutes and an hour, depending on traffic.

Can I participate in assembling a silleta?

Some workshops of the Corporación Sillete