Medellín Flower Festival (Feria de las Flores)

The Feria de las Flores is Medellín’s big festival: ten days of concerts, parades and markets ending with the Silleteros Parade, when the farmers of Santa Elena march carrying huge flower arrangements on their backs. It takes place every year between late July and early August; in 2026 it ran from 31 July to 9 August. In my view it’s worth planning your trip around the parade, but only if you book everything months in advance. Here are the dates, the typical programme, how to watch the parade and where to stay.

When is the Flower Festival?

The festival lasts about ten days between late July and the first half of August, and the dates change every year. Medellín city council publishes the official programme a few months beforehand.

2026 edition
Dates	31 July to 9 August
Opening	Friday 31 July, opening concert near the Obelisco
Silleteros Parade	Sunday 9 August, 2 pm-7 pm

The 2027 dates haven’t been announced yet: expect a similar calendar, between late July and the first half of August, and check the Medellín city council website before booking.

The Silleteros Parade

The silleteros are farmers from Santa Elena, in the mountains above Medellín. They once carried flowers and produce down to the city on their backs using a wooden chair frame, the silleta; today the tradition lives on in the parade, with arrangements that can weigh tens of kilos. The parade has been recognised as part of Colombia’s intangible cultural heritage.

In 2026 the route, about 2.4-2.5 km long, started at the Guayaquil bridge and followed Avenida Regional to the Palacio de Exposiciones area. The silletas come in several categories (traditional, monumental, emblematic and commercial), with messages and designs made entirely of flowers.

How to watch the parade

• Free from the street: there are open stretches along the route. Arrive very early, as front-row spots fill up from the morning.
• Free grandstand seats: the city allocates some grandstand seats through registration and a lottery a few weeks beforehand. Follow the official announcements if you’re in Colombia at the time.
• Agency packages: several agencies sell grandstand seats with transport and a guide. In 2026 reported prices ranged from about 399,000 to 570,000 pesos per person, depending on the agency and booking date. Check exactly what’s included and only buy from operators with verified reviews.

Other festival events

The programme changes every year, but some events come back almost every time:

• Free concerts and tablados in neighbourhoods and squares, with popular music and orchestras.
• Other parades: in 2026 there were also the Avenida Primavera parade, a dog walk and the Héroes de la Patria parade.
• Flower and orchid shows, often at the Botanical Garden.
• Visits to the silleteros’ farms in Santa Elena (see below).
• Craft and food markets around the city.

The full programme with times and venues comes out a few weeks before on the Medellín city council website.

Visiting the silleteros’ farms in Santa Elena

Santa Elena is about an hour from downtown Medellín, in the mountains towards Rionegro. During the festival many silletero families open their farms: you see how a silleta is built, the flower fields and the local country cooking. In 2026 the official programme included a farm trail from 24 July to 16 August. You can go on an organised tour, which usually includes transport and lunch, or by bus or taxi from Medellín, checking first which farms are open.

Where to stay during the festival

During the festival Medellín is full and prices rise sharply. Book 3-6 months ahead.

• El Poblado: the most convenient for nightlife and restaurants, but far from Avenida Regional: on parade day, use the metro.
• Laureles: quieter and well connected by metro.
• Downtown: close to many events, but it’s best not to walk around at night: I don’t recommend staying there.

The neighbourhoods are compared in our Medellín travel guide.

Practical tips for parade day

1. Take the metro: many roads are closed and traffic is gridlocked. Line A runs close to much of the route.
2. Bring water, a hat and sunscreen: you’ll wait for hours, often in the sun.
3. Keep your phone and money safe: pickpocketing rises in the crowds. Read the tips in our guide to safety in Colombia.
4. Use the toilet beforehand: there are few along the route.
5. Plan the rest of your trip around the parade: in the days before, see the city with our guide to things to do in Medellín.

Mistakes to avoid

• Booking accommodation at the last minute: during the festival prices rise sharply and the best hotels are full.
• Arriving at the parade just before it starts: without a seat you may see nothing.
• Buying tickets from unofficial resellers: the city’s free grandstand seats are not for sale.
• Assuming the dates: they change every year, so wait for the official programme before buying flights.

FAQ

When is the Medellín Flower Festival?

Every year between late July and the first half of August, for about ten days. In 2026 it ran from 31 July to 9 August; the 2027 dates haven’t been announced yet.

When is the Silleteros Parade?

On the festival’s last Sunday. In 2026 it was held on Sunday 9 August, from 2 pm to 7 pm, along Avenida Regional.

Is the Silleteros Parade free?

Yes, you can watch it for free from the street along the route. Free grandstand seats are allocated by a city lottery; agencies sell packages with seats and transport, in 2026 from about 399,000 to 570,000 pesos.

Who are the silleteros?

They’re farmers from Santa Elena, in the mountains above Medellín, who once carried flowers and produce to the city on their backs using a wooden chair frame, the silleta. Today they march with large flower arrangements in the parade that closes the festival.