Feria de las Flores in Medellín

The “Ciudad de la eterna primavera” is adorned every year in August to celebrate its traditional Feria de las Flores. You can’t miss this festivity if you want to experience an incredible blend of tradition and modernity, characteristics that have made Medellín a worldwide example of growth and innovation, as well as an attractive destination to visit at least once in a lifetime.

History tells us that this celebration began in 1957 thanks to the tradition of carrying flowers grown in different parts of Antioquia in silletas, which are carried on the back, to be transported to Medellín for sale. This tradition, which has been an Intangible Cultural Heritage of the Nation since 2010, not only pays homage for several days to the beautiful flowers cultivated in the region but also coincides with the same month as the independence of Antioquia and the Battle of Boyacá.

Learn more about its history at: Feria de las Flores.

Get ready for the best of the Feria de las Flores

The main event of the Feria is the Desfile de Silleteros, where hundreds of local farmers carry on their backs creative and colorful silletas that they design and adorn themselves with all kinds of flowers. The more than 80 flower varieties used to create the silletas are carefully grown all year long in corregimientos such as Santa Elena, where the silleteros were declared Cultural Heritage of the Nation in 2003.

Another main event that takes place is the Festival Nacional de la Trova. The trova paisa (as people from this region are called) is a musical style from Antioquia in which improvisation and humor take center stage.

An event that sparks people’s interest is the Feria a Ritmo de Bicicleta, which involves cycling through the streets of Medellín in a creative effort to promote tourism and mobility using this environmentally friendly means of transport. In different categories—such as one where bicycles are decorated with flowers or another where classic bicycles take the spotlight—the traditional bicipaseo offers a fun program for people of all ages.

La Feria se disfruta a Ritmo de la Bicicleta, Medellín, Colombia. — Foto de Manuel Saldarriaga.

Experiencing this cultural expression is one of the best ways to get to know part of the character and humor of the paisa culture; it’s an excellent opportunity to have fun while connecting with one of the traditions of the Andes Occidentales Colombianos.

The Feria de las Flores is rounded out by many other activities, such as gastronomic exhibitions, concerts featuring renowned local and international artists, and the traditional Desfile de autos clásicos y antiguos, which fills the city streets with unique contrasts. Each year, thousands of national and international tourists travel from various places to witness these shows, in which expressions of tradition and culture are displayed as part of the identity of the department of Antioquia.

Find out more: Cinco eventos imperdibles de la Feria de las Flores.

Experiences to enjoy around the Feria

If you want to use the Feria as an opportunity to learn more about flower cultivation and why flowers are so important to the region, you have two great options. On one hand, you can visit natural spaces that adorn the landscape of Antioquia, such as:

The Jardín Botánico de Medellín, which features collections of various flowers. One of these is the orchid, a true symbol of the country, as it is Colombia’s national flower.
El Parque Arví, in Santa Helena and accessible from Medellín. It’s a nature reserve with trails where you can see local flora and fauna.

The other great option chosen by many tourists is to visit fincas located on the outskirts of the city to learn firsthand about the world of flowers, which several generations of Antioqueños have protected and cultivated. The Asociación de Silleteros de Santa Helena invites you to discover different silletero fincas that offer an immersive experience in the world of flowers and their cultivation.

We invite you to stay up to date on the latest news about this traditional event through the social media of the Alcaldía de Medellín and to plan your trip in advance, according to the Feria dates and the time you have available to explore more of the country of beauty.

On your visit to Medellín, you will discover why the capital of Antioquia is an example of culture, tradition, and innovation. Modern buildings and advanced solutions in every area of life can be seen on every corner of the city. However, as you explore, you’ll also find that modernization has not led people to forget their roots. In fact, paisas are known for treasuring the legacy of their ancestors.

So take advantage of August to visit Medellín and discover its greatest celebration. Here, you’ll see that the beauty of this great city lies in the hospitality of its people and the preservation of its most enchanting traditions. We look forward to welcoming you with open arms at the Feria de las Flores in Colombia!