The Carnaval de Barranquilla is celebrated every year in Colombia, first beginning in the 19th century. This year, the carnival is being celebrated March 1st-March 4th. This carnival has many traditions, events, characters and celebrations during these four days.

The Barranquilla Carnival celebrates traditions from South America, Africa and Europe and the coming of spring. Dances like champeta and cumbia and music are seen and heard throughout the week. It’s the second largest carnival celebration in the world with folklore coming from Colombia’s diverse population.

Before the official start of the festival, on the Thursday before, the city celebrates Noche de Rio where people dance during musical traditions of Caribbean and Magdalena River communities. On Friday, they start the Río de tradiciones with dances and lots of food. Then, the choosing of the Carnival Queen happens, which has been a tradition for over a hundred years.

On the first day of the festival, Saturday, it starts with the Batalla de las Flores (Battle of the Flowers). This is a float competition which is decorated with all sorts of flowers. The Carnival Queen will surely be passing by. This tradition began as a way to celebrate the end of the Thousand Days War. After, the King Momo Parade begins. Throughout the day, there is dancing and music and comedic performances.

The next day, Sunday, is Gran Parada de Tradición y Folclore (Great Tradition and Folklore
Parade). Dancing, folklore music, cumbia bands are all involved. There are more celebrations and partying after this like the Festival de Orquestas (Orchestra Festival) and the Gathering of Comedies.

On Monday, the Gran Parada de Comparsas, Fantasía y Tradición (Grand Fantasy Parade)
occurs, with more music and dancing. These dancers have spectacular costumes from folklore groups with so many colors!

Finally, Tuesday is the Entierro de Joselito Carnaval (the Funeral for Joselito Carnaval). This is a mock funeral that ends the carnival. It is a mourning of all the celebrations and parties as people say goodbye until the next year. This carnival ends but remains through the memories of all who experienced it.

If you ever happen to be in Colombia during this time, you absolutely have to experience this festival. There are so many parts to it, the dancing, music, traditions, parades. The Carnaval de Barranquilla is a spectacular piece of tradition and just showcases the amazing things that happen when people come together and just have fun. It’s beautiful, and I hope one day I will be able to experience it.

Works Cited

“Ultimate Guide for the Barranquilla Carnival in Colombia.” Metropolitan Touring, July 2024,
www.metropolitan-touring.com/blog/culture/barranquilla-carnival/#:~:text=Its%20purpose%20ha
s%20always%20been,America%2C%20Africa%2C%20and%20Europe. Accessed 27 Jan.
2025.
Taylor, Virginia. “A Tourist’s Guide to Barranquilla Carnival.” Broken Boots Travel, 23 Sept. 2024,
brokenbootstravel.com/barranquilla-carnival-guide/. Accessed 27 Jan. 2025.
“Carnival of Barranquilla.” Colombia.travel, Mar. 2025,
colombia.travel/en/fairs-and-festivals/carnival-barranquilla. Accessed 27 Jan. 2025.