CELEBRATION IN COLOMBIA! Each day has a special parade that maintains the same name and emphasis every year, but always offers a new surprise. In Roman Catholicism, All Saints’ Day is reportedly considered to be a holy day of obligation. We are sorry but we are facing our payment gateway error. Admittedly, the … The people of this South American country enjoy the national holiday celebrations of Colombia. Perhaps the most famous part of this festival is a parade called "El Defile de los Silleteros." There were several festivities. Calle 59 # 56 - 63 Int 3 Of. One of the biggest performing festivals in the world, the Festival Iberoamericano de Teatro is a unique Colombian festival that occurs every two years in Bogotá. This is known as Emiliani’s Law in Colombia, which was enacted on December 6, 1983 as Law 51. We have reviews of the best places to see in Colombia. Founded in 1538, Bogota celebrates its birthday on August 6. Please try again soon. And it’s very typical that you will hear fireworks early into the morning in many neighborhoods. Christmas Day celebrates the nativity of Jesus, which according to tradition took place on December 25, 1 BC. The holiday commemorates when Cartagena became the first Colombian city to declare independence from the Spanish. This is one list I came across which one other list concurs with…, 1 Jan Fri New Year’s Day Editors note: completely updated on December 25, 2019 with the dates for the Colombia holidays in 2020. Also, in Cartagena on this date is the ‘Battle of Flowers’, which is the beauty contest to pick Miss Colombia who will go on to represent Colombia in the Miss Universe contest. Here’s a list of several of the observed holidays in Colombia in 2021 that aren’t official public holidays: In Colombia, on the public holiday dates, all the banks, government offices, many shops and some restaurants close. 8 Dec Wed Immaculate Conception But banks and government offices normally only close on the two public holidays during this week on Thursday and Friday. This holiday commemorates the presentation of the infant Jesus to the three wise men. 20 Jul Tue Independence Day Ascension Day is the 40th day of Easter. Ash Wednesday solemnly marks the beginning of the lenten season. This day commemorates Mary’s death and her assumption into heaven. Many of the dates for holidays in Colombia fluctuate from year to year. The Assumption of Mary is holiday that is celebrated in August every year. The Barranquilla Carnival through the years has become one of the most important folkloric and cultural festivals in Colombia. Also, some employees will have to work on holidays, as not everything closes. Hi Jeff, regarding the holiday list for 2021, I’ve noticed several discrepancies from other lists. Holidays and Observances in Colombia in 2020. Thanks. This holiday is likely one of the oldest holidays celebrated in the Christian calendar. Tourist Visas: How to Extend a Tourist Visa in Medellín... How to Obtain a Colombian Visa – With Up-to-Date ... beautiful churches in Medellín and the Aburrá Valley, Día de Amor y Amistad (Valentine’s Day of Colombia), Medellin Guru weekly email newsletters and sign up here, Join the March Medellin Guru Meetup at Medellin Beer Factory, 10 Iconic and Popular Christmas Gift Ideas from Colombia, Join the April Medellin Guru Meetup at Mercado Del Tranvía Envigado, 2019 Classic Car Parade (Desfile de Autos Clasicos) Photos, 9 Common Colombian Visa Mistakes: How to Avoid Them – 2021 Update, Coronavirus in Colombia: Myth vs Reality – Current Status, Coronavirus Hospitalization in Colombia: Myth vs Reality, How to Obtain a Colombia Rentista Visa (Annuity Visa). The Flower Festival in Medellin (Festival de Flores en Medellin) I will update the article with this information. Parties and festivals Colombia enjoys up to 18 long weekends every year, an incredible number of holiday Mondays offering residents and visitors the chance to travel, party and celebrate whatever Saint or historical event the long weekend commemorates. So, we plan to update this article each year or post a new article so this website remains up-to-date. I pray for them to get back and running soon. First celebrated in 1988, the Festival Iberoamericano de Teatro was originally created to celebrate Bogotá's 450th birthday. And the most notable is in Cartagena where the most colorful parade takes place, which ends at Plaza Trinidad, the location where Cartagena’s independence was originally declared. Colombia is a country full of rich history and festive celebrations when the Christmas season rolls around. Furthermore, Colombia holidays are known as festivos. 28 Jan 2021 - 31 Jan 2021. It seems there are holidays every time I need to go to the bank. Please try again. While Mary was assumed or taken into heaven by God. Please try again with new dates. Booking completed. Like the Carnaval celebration in Rio de Janeiro and Mardi Gras in New Orleans, the Carnaval celebration in Barranquilla occurs in the days leading up to Lent. 711, Bogotá - Colombia  Tel: 57 (310) 865 06 95  NIT: 900.553.236-9  RNT: 27816. As a Catholic country, the most important celebrations are those held around Christmas and Easter time. Serving lunch & dinner daily. We provide a guide to the 18 holidays in Colombia in 2021. His song El chicle I will forever remember. 25 Oct 2020 ‘Not even the pandemic’ will stop Colombia protests, leaders say. Editors note: updated on March 29, 2020 with information that Semana Santa in 2020 will have no Semana Santa processions and no Masses in churches and parishioners have been told to stay at home during Semana Santa due to the national quarantine in Colombia. Fireworks in Medellín on July 20, 2010 as part of Colombia Bicentennial Independence Day celebration, photo by Danial Echeverri. Your email address will not be published. This holiday combined with Good Friday on April 10 are part of the holy week or Semana Santa in Colombia, which commemorates the death and resurrection of Jesus as told by the New Testament. It should be noted that many in Colombia take this entire Semana Santa week off. Also, the above photo is courtesy of Vecteezy. Larger grocery stores tend to be open and many shops in the malls and movie theaters will be open on Colombia holidays. 2 Apr Fri Good Friday There are festivals to celebrate heritage, there are festivals that celebrate music genres, and even festivals that celebrate flowers. Take a second to support Medellin Guru on Patreon! New Year’s Day is January 1st, the first day of the year. In the Roman Catholic tradition, this day is typically treated as a fast day – a day in which one only has one full meal and abstains from the consumption of meat. All countries except for Israel that use the Gregorian calendar celebrate New Year’s Day on January 1st. Thanks Jeff read earlier, then got busy. The Llanera Song Festival is a memorable experience for anyone that witnesses this huge celebration to the regional cultural heritage. Thanks for the helpful article. In addition, there are many observed holidays that aren’t official holidays. Many small businesses shut down but the malls and movie theaters will be open. While only two of these days are considered national public holidays and two days are on the weekend, it has become traditional for many smaller businesses in Colombia to close for this entire week. Several of the public holidays in Colombia in 2021 fall on a Monday. Cheers!! In some countries, during holidays everything seems to be closed. Día de Amor y Amistad (Valentine’s Day of Colombia) is on September 18 in 2021. This festival brings together folklore, cuisine and the ethnic culture of Colombia, Brazil and Peru. Colombia has more public holidays than in the U.S. or countries in Europe. 1 May Sat Labour Day 08092957, Uncover Colombia Ltda. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. All workers, both in the public and private sectors, have the right to paid for holidays. Usually I’m so out of the loop that until the morning of the holiday I haven’t a clue what’s going on. Sound a bit like Puerto Rico. Article is updated. Maundy Thursday is a religious Holy day that is observed all over the world. Now Reopen Sunday - Thursday 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. Friday - Saturday 11 a.m. - 10 p.m. . Saint Joseph’s Day is a holiday that celebrates the Virgin Mary’s husband and the adoptive legal father of Jesus Christ. So, there are seven long weekends in Colombia in 2021 due to Colombia holidays. We saw Koffee el Cafetero in concert. Home Calendar Holidays Colombia. This holiday actually starts on the evening before in Colombia. 14 Jun Mon Sacred Heart Day There are multiple sources with conflicting information in English and Spanish. Corpus Christi was established to create a feast focused solely on the Holy Eucharist emphasizing the joy of the Eucharist being the body and blood of Jesus Christ. Se describirán algunas celebraciones en Colombia que logran abarcar el arte y la cultura. Reportedly only two countries in the world have more public holidays than Colombia – Sri Lanka and India – according to WorldAtlas. And this uprising is celebrated by the Colombia Independence Day holiday. The Sacred Heart holiday commemorate the physical heart of Jesus as a symbol of his divine love for all humanity. But Carnival in Barranquilla is cancelled in 2021 due to coronavirus. I lived in Colombia and in all that time I found Colombians don’t need a reason to celebrate. 5 Jul Mon Feast of St Peter and St Paul This holiday is observed on the Friday before Easter Sunday. One does not match your list – Corpus Cristi is on June 7 not June 3, as it was moved to a Monday. COVID-19 Testing in Colombia: Reality About Coronavirus Testing, PCR Test: How to Get a COVID-19 Test in Medellín. Black and White Carnival, Pasto. If you are planning to visit Colombia you could plan your trip to include one of these festivals in your tour. Today the feast of flowers takes place in early August and lasts ten days and it is the most important social event for the city. 1 Apr Thu Maundy Thursday In Colombia, we have our own Christmas carols, unique decorations, and many celebrations besides Christmas day, like “Día de las Velitas” (Day of the Candles) which we celebrate on December 7th. This festival happens every year during the first two weeks of August and lasts around 10 days. It covers all aspects, from cities to airports, cruise ports to ski and beach resorts, attractions to events, and it also includes weekly travel news, features and quizzes. Some cities in Colombia have additional public holidays. In 1264 Pope Urban IV declared Corpus Christi as a holiday. This celebration is the 2nd largest Easter Celebration in the world. Even though fighting continued for a few more years, the victory at Boyacá is seen as the definitive battle in Colombia’s war for independence. This public holiday commemorates the martyrdom (torture, suffering and death) of two saints, the two apostles, Saint Peter and Saint Paul. There is always cool festivals in Colombia. Colombia Coronavirus Death Rate: What are the Chances of Dying? The Brotherhood Festival (Festival de la Confraternidad) is held in July in Leticia. Día de la Raza is more to remember the indigenous community, colonization, and cultural diversity of Latin America. Ibagué, in the Tolimia region of the Andes, is considered Colombia’s cradle of musical culture. Great post, sorry that was years ago I was sailing much of PR. On July 20, 1810, an uprising in Bogota is seen as the start for independence in Colombia. Also, the government declares public holidays in Colombia on these occasions. For many Colombia holidays, if they fall on a weekend or in the middle of the week, the holiday date is moved to the following Monday. Registered in England and Wales No. For example, Barranquilla normally has two holidays on the Monday and Tuesday of Carnival in Barranquilla. This marks the date of the Battle of Boyacá on August 7, 1819, which was a decisive victory in the war for Colombia’s independence from Spain. There are certainly lots of celebrations and commemorations to look forward to. On this date in 1810, Colombian patriots stirred the population of Bogotá into a major uprising in the streets against Spanish rule. 25 Dec Sat Christmas Day. Famous for its colonial architecture, Popay á n is also known as the religious capital of Colombia and is home to more churches per capita than any other settlement in the country. Also, as in most festivals in Colombia, there has to be a beauty queen, so the corresponding beauty pageant happens under the name of Joropo International Beauty Pageant. All over Colombia, cities, towns, family and people normally celebrate and recognize Holy Week in a variety of different ways and levels of intensity. So, nine of the 18 holidays in Colombia in 2021 are on a Monday. We were so lucky we visited Cartagena during there independence celebration in November. Christmas is more of a month-long celebration in Colombia than just a day. 11 Jan Mon Epiphany Holiday And several times Colombia has been ranked number one. 18 Oct Mon Columbus Day Holiday This holiday celebrates Christ’s holiness. And the malls are normally open this week as well as most grocery stores and many restaurants. Now Puerto Rico is in serious trouble. Updated every day by a dedicated global editorial team, the portal logs 1 million+ unique users monthly. Suggested countries: United States ... Events and observations associated with the holidays we list may be canceled or otherwise affected due to measures taken to combat the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2010, images of Peter and Paul were found on the wall of catacombs dating back to the 4th Century AD. It was Jesus Christ who ascended into heaven. Visit top-rated & must-see attractions. So this list of specific dates goes into my permanent file. In addition, there are many festivals and carnivals. Delicious food, religious ceremonies and family games are just some of the historic components of Christmas traditions in Colombia. Places in Colombia. Thanks for this article Jeff. Hi there, let us inspire you for your next holidays and get exclusive offers and updates on our latest tours! In Colombia, you’ll see fireworks displays in many cities in pueblos. Top Colombia Blogs: A Guide to the Top Colombia Blogs by Expats. At the end of March with Maundy & Good Friday–you mentioned many businesses close for a week–does this mean 3/29–4/4? They are placed to honor Virgin Mary and the Immaculate Conception. Labor Day originated in the United States where it falls on the first Monday in September. Every article about celebrations in Colombia. Independence Day in Colombia is typically celebrated with parades and marches throughout the country. With so many Colombia holidays each year, it turns out that many Colombians on some of these holidays don’t even know what is being celebrated in my experience. The Feria de las Flores (the Flower Festival) is another incredible festival in Colombia that takes place in Medellín, Antioquía. He has traveled to over 40 countries and hasn’t found a place he prefers living in more than Medellín. Hi David, thanks. 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