Medellín Flower Festival

In Colombia, August is springtime, and the cities celebrate with bursts of fragrant hues and a variety of activities that last for days at a time. The annual Feria de Las Flores in Medellín is one of Colombia's most important regional festivities and has established itself as a traveler favorite. The event, which takes place over a week in early August, is a celebration of Medellín's identity as well as a showcase of the city's beautiful flowers. Certainly it also one of the most famous festivals in Colombia.

The festival's centerpiece is flowers, but there's a lot more to the weeklong event than roses, orchids, and lilies. Music is a top priority at this Colombian festival, and there are a variety of concerts, cultural events, and sporting activities to enjoy during the week. Even if flowers aren't your thing, there's no reason to skip out on the Flower Festival's enjoyment.

Even while there are other things to do in Medellín in August than admire the flowers, it wouldn't be a visit to the city without taking in the region's stunning blooming. Hundreds of local flower farmers parade through the streets of the city with large flower displays strapped to their backs during the festival, but the Defile de Silleteros (or "Flower Grower's Parade") is the actual highlight. They dress up in traditional garb and compete to see who can create the most beautiful and ornate arrangement. The procession is a riot of color and energy, and it is without a doubt one of the most enjoyable of any Colombian holiday.

Medellín is a bike-friendly city, and the Flower Festival is no exception: they conduct a special cycling event that highlights the finest of the festival and the city from the perspective of two wheels. The event begins at Lights Park in downtown Medellín and lasts until 8 p.m., allowing participants to explore the city by day and night while also seeing the city's most prominent exhibitions in a pleasant, safe, and ecologically friendly manner.

Dates : 03 - 12, August