Carnival Events in Barranquilla 2026

Carnival in Barranquilla unfolds across parades, parties, cultural programs, and countless public celebrations. For dates and daily planning, see the Calendar and Schedule. For deeper context, each category links to its dedicated guide.

Last updated: December 29, 2025

Events carnival Barranquilla guide

Major Carnival Parades

The core of Barranquilla Carnival is its parades. These events anchor the main days and reflect the city’s most important cultural traditions.

  • Batalla de Flores
    Type: Parade
    Traditionally held: Saturday
    Status: Traditionally held
    The opening parade and the most emblematic daytime event of Carnival.
  • Gran Parada de Tradición
    Type: Parade
    Traditionally held: Sunday
    Status: Traditionally held
    A parade centered on traditional dances, costumes, and folkloric forms.
  • Gran Parada de Comparsas
    Type: Parade
    Traditionally held: Monday
    Status: Traditionally held
    A more contemporary parade highlighting comparsas and modern choreography.
  • Joselito se Va con las Cenizas
    Type: Parade
    Traditionally held: Tuesday
    Status: Traditionally held
    The symbolic farewell that closes Carnival.

👉 Learn how these parades differ → /parades/

Carnival Parties & Nightlife

After the parades end, Carnival continues at night. Party programming varies each year and is often announced close to the event dates.

  • Carnival Ticketed Parties (Various Organizers)
    Type: Party
    Typically held: Saturday–Monday nights
    Status: Updating
    Large-scale ticketed events produced by different organizers.
  • Club Nights & Carnival Takeovers
    Type: Club night
    Status: Updating
    Local clubs adapt their programming for Carnival nights.
  • Pop-Up & Special Carnival Nights
    Type: Party
    Status: Updating
    Temporary venues and one-off events tied to the Carnival period.

👉 How Carnival nightlife works → /parties/
👉 LGBT-focused nightlife → /gay/

Cultural & Daytime Programming

Alongside parades and parties, Carnival includes exhibitions, performances, and daytime activities that highlight Barranquilla’s cultural heritage.

  • Río de Tradiciones (Macrofigures Exhibition)
    Type: Cultural exhibition
    Typically held: Pre-Carnival through Carnival
    Status: Announced
    Location: Malecón del Río / Malecón de Rebolo
    A public exhibition showcasing Carnival’s large-format figures.
  • Traditional Dance & Music Showcases
    Type: Cultural event
    Status: Traditionally held
    Folkloric performances presented across public spaces.
  • Semillero de la Tradición
    Type: Kids / Family
    Status: Announced
    Programming designed specifically for children and families.

👉 Cultural events guide → /cultural-events/
👉 Traveling with kids → /kids/

Informal & Free Carnival Events

Free & Informal Carnival Events
Type: Public / informal
Status: Ongoing
Street celebrations (carnaval de calle), open-air music, and neighborhood gatherings take place throughout the city. These moments are rarely published as formal events, but they are a constant part of the Carnival atmosphere.

👉 Free Carnival fun explained → /parties/
👉 Safety tips → /safety/

How This Events Index Fits Together

  • Schedule shows how events align day by day.
  • Parades explain the cultural center of Carnival.
  • Parties covers nightlife and after-dark events.
  • This index updates as organizers confirm and announce programming.

Quick links: /calendar/ · /schedule/ · /parades/ · /parties/