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Neon Christmas light display of a colorful house glows above crowds at Medellín's Alumbrados

Plan around the magic

Medellín's year of celebrations

The City of Eternal Spring throws a party almost every month. Here are the recurring highlights. Organizers announce exact dates each year, so always confirm on the official sites.
Vivid pink, turquoise, yellow and red threads stretched across a wooden weaving loom
January

Colombiatex de las Américas

Inexmoda's textile and apparel-industry trade fair at Plaza Mayor (January 27–29 in 2026); a business event that fills the city's hotels.

Official site
Atlético Nacional fans in green fill the stands under floodlights at Estadio Atanasio Girardot
All year

Football at Estadio Atanasio Girardot (Atlético Nacional and DIM)

Catch a Liga BetPlay match between Atlético Nacional (green) or Independiente Medellín (red) at the Atanasio Girardot. Two tournaments run through most of the year, with a mid-year break. The stadium is being renovated but is expected to host matches through mid-2027.

Official site
A tango couple in elegant black glides across a warm wooden dance floor at a milonga
June

Festival Internacional de Tango de Medellín

A week of milongas, dance and singing competitions, a gala night and mostly free shows across the city; the 20th edition ran in June 2026.

Official site
Outdoor audience under a sea of colorful umbrellas at the opening of Medellín’s poetry festival
July

Festival Internacional de Poesía de Medellín

One of the world's great poetry festivals: dozens of poets from 30-plus countries giving mostly free readings in parks, theaters and neighborhoods (36th edition, July 4–11, 2026).

Official site
Models in turquoise, yellow and lilac outfits walk the runway together at a fashion show finale
July

Colombiamoda

Medellín's fashion week and trade show, organized by Inexmoda, with runways and hundreds of brands at Plaza Mayor (July 25–31 in 2026).

Official site
Riders on horseback and cheering crowds fill a Medellín avenue during the Feria de las Flores
July · August

Feria de las Flores

The city's biggest celebration: ten days of concerts, parades, classic cars and flower culture, running from the last days of July into early August (July 31–August 9 in 2026).

Official site
A silletera in traditional dress carries a towering silleta of bright flowers in Medellín
August

Desfile de Silleteros

The Feria's grand finale: hundreds of flower growers from Santa Elena parade enormous flower arrangements ('silletas') on their backs (69th parade on August 9, 2026).

Official site
Hundreds of runners in bright shirts stream down a tree-lined city avenue during a marathon
September

Maratón Medellín

The city's marathon weekend, with 42K, 21K, 10K and a 5K fun run; the 2026 edition (September 5–6) drew more than 30,000 runners.

Official site
Relaxed reader with a book sitting on the grass under a tree at Medellín’s book fair
September

Fiesta del Libro y la Cultura

A free, ten-day book and culture festival centered on the Jardín Botánico, with author talks, readings and kids' activities (20th edition, September 11–20, 2026).

Official site
A huge open-air festival crowd dances as pink, yellow and teal smoke rises before the stage
October

Festival Altavoz Internacional

Free city-run festival of rock, punk, ska, reggae, rap, electronic and metal, with local and international bands (23rd edition, October 10–12, 2026, at Estadio Cincuentenario and Parque Norte).

Official site
Medellín's Christmas lights glowing in rainbow colors over the river at Parques del Río at night
November · December · January

Alumbrados Navideños (EPM Christmas Lights)

Millions of lights and handmade figures across the city, from Parques del Río to neighborhood parks; the 2025 edition ran November 28, 2025 to January 12, 2026, 6 p.m. to midnight.

Official site

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