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Colombia🇨🇴 | festivalsFeria de las FloresSilletero parade, orchid shows, classic cars, horseback cabalgata | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Feria de las Flores
🏆 Top pickfestival ranked #2
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 19, 2026

The Feria de las Flores is not a one-day flower parade. It runs about ten days across Medellín, in Colombia’s Antioquia region, and the famous Desfile de Silleteros is only one afternoon of it. Most events sit in the city center, the Parque Arví area and the Botanical Garden, with others spread through the hills. The crowd is mostly Colombian families, with some foreign travelers. Skip the grandstand seats sold near the parade finish; they are pricey and the sun is harsh, so stand along the route early instead. Book beds in El Poblado or Laureles weeks ahead, because prices jump and dorms vanish. Watch for taxi drivers who skip the meter, and use a ride app. A vendor selling aguardiente-laced paper cups told me, “Mijo, drink water between each one,” and he was right. Go if you like color, craft and a city party. Skip it if you want quiet or a nightlife-only trip.

Discover everything you want to know in the 📖 Colombia Travel Guide.


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✨ Why go?
Ranked #2 festival in ColombiaWhat makes this festival worth celebrating

Feria de las Flores pulls backpackers onto the Medellín leg of a Colombia route because it is the city’s biggest local celebration, and it feels like one. Paisas turn out in the streets, so you spend ten days among residents rather than other tourists. Strike up a conversation at a fonda or a street stall and invitations follow fast.

The centerpiece is the Desfile de Silleteros, where farmers from the village of Santa Elena carry huge flower arrangements on their backs. It is a tradition that dates to when silleteros carried people and goods over the mountains, which gives the spectacle real roots. Watching it is free, which suits a tight budget.

Timing matters too. The festival falls in the first half of August, which suits a loop through the coffee region or the Caribbean coast. Medellín’s … read more 👉
Feria de las Flores pulls backpackers onto the Medellín leg of a Colombia route because it is the city’s biggest local celebration, and it feels like one. Paisas turn out in the streets, so you spend ten days among residents rather than other tourists. Strike up a conversation at a fonda or a street stall and invitations follow fast.

The centerpiece is the Desfile de Silleteros, where farmers from the village of Santa Elena carry huge flower arrangements on their backs. It is a tradition that dates to when silleteros carried people and goods over the mountains, which gives the spectacle real roots. Watching it is free, which suits a tight budget.

Timing matters too. The festival falls in the first half of August, which suits a loop through the coffee region or the Caribbean coast. Medellín’s metro and cable cars make the scattered events easy to reach, and the Parque Arví day gives you green space outside the crush. Book ahead, arrive early on parade day, and use the rest of the week for the smaller events.

💡 HighlightsThe experiences that define the visit

  1. Desfile de Silleteros: The headline event. Hundreds of farmers from Santa Elena walk the route carrying wooden frames loaded with orchids, roses and sunflowers, some weighing dozens of kilograms. Arrive early for shade and a rail spot.
  2. Santa Elena silletero village: This is where the tradition lives year-round. Visit family farms, see arrangements being built and hear how the craft passes between generations. Go in the days before the parade.
  3. Jardín Botánico de Medellín: Home to the orchid exhibition during the festival, plus a large collection of tropical plants and a lake with iguanas. Entry is usually free, and the paths suit a slow morning.
  4. Desfile de Autos Antiguos: A parade of classic cars through the streets, loved by local families. It adds a nostalgic counterpoint to the flower displays
… read more 👉
  1. Desfile de Silleteros: The headline event. Hundreds of farmers from Santa Elena walk the route carrying wooden frames loaded with orchids, roses and sunflowers, some weighing dozens of kilograms. Arrive early for shade and a rail spot.
  2. Santa Elena silletero village: This is where the tradition lives year-round. Visit family farms, see arrangements being built and hear how the craft passes between generations. Go in the days before the parade.
  3. Jardín Botánico de Medellín: Home to the orchid exhibition during the festival, plus a large collection of tropical plants and a lake with iguanas. Entry is usually free, and the paths suit a slow morning.
  4. Desfile de Autos Antiguos: A parade of classic cars through the streets, loved by local families. It adds a nostalgic counterpoint to the flower displays and is easy to catch from the sidewalk.
  5. Trova and cabalgata events: Paisa folk singers trade improvised verses, and a horseback parade fills the streets with riders in traditional dress. Both show a side of Antioquia that few visitors see.
Allow two full days for the main events and a third for Santa Elena or Parque Arví.
Spotted a mistake or missing something? Contact us.

Things to do around Feria de las Flores

Medellin Historic Walking Tour with Expert Guide

Medellin Historic Walking Tour with Expert Guide

5.0(562) 3h
From €15.88
per personViator
Medellin City Private Tour

Medellin City Private Tour

4.8(88)
From €82
per personViator
Medellín Highlights: with local guide and transfers from hotel

Medellín Highlights: with local guide and transfers from hotel

5.0(23) 5h
From €120
per personViator
Private Pablo Escobar, Pueblito Paisa and Medellin City Tour

Private Pablo Escobar, Pueblito Paisa and Medellin City Tour

4.9(18)
From €113
per personViator
Medellin Metro Tour w/transport including Fernando Botero´s Plaza

Medellin Metro Tour w/transport including Fernando Botero´s Plaza

4.9(15) 4h
From €85
per personViator
Private Full Day City Tour of Medellin

Private Full Day City Tour of Medellin

4.9(12) 8h
From €212
per personViator
Medellín Museums Tour with transport: Botero´s Antioquia museum

Medellín Museums Tour with transport: Botero´s Antioquia museum

4.9(10) 4h
From €154
per personViator
Medellin City Tour with Plaza de Botero and Antioquia Museum

Medellin City Tour with Plaza de Botero and Antioquia Museum

4.4(10) 4h
From €137
per personViator
Private tour: Medellin, Pablo Escobar and Food with transport

Private tour: Medellin, Pablo Escobar and Food with transport

5.0(7) 8h
From €211
per personViator
ATV Adventure w/transport Including Medellin City and Food Tour

ATV Adventure w/transport Including Medellin City and Food Tour

5.0(6) 8h
From €211
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?When is the celebration of Feria de las Flores?

Feria de las Flores runs for about ten days in early August, usually from the first Friday to the second Sunday, in Medellín, with events spread across the city and the main parade on the final Sunday.
  • Best day: The Desfile de Silleteros, where farmers from Santa Elena carry flower arrangements on their backs along Avenida Guayabal and the Atanasio Girardot sports complex area, is the headline. Go on the last Sunday and claim a curb spot by 8 a.m. Weekdays are calmer for concerts, orchid shows and the Botanical Garden exhibits.
  • Weather: Expect 17 to 28°C (63 to 82°F), sunny mornings and afternoon showers. Bring a light rain jacket, sunscreen and a hat. Days run close to 12 hours of light.
  • Booking: Reserve beds four to six weeks ahead. Prices in El Poblado and Laureles climb 20 to 40 percent over
… read more 👉
Feria de las Flores runs for about ten days in early August, usually from the first Friday to the second Sunday, in Medellín, with events spread across the city and the main parade on the final Sunday.
  • Best day: The Desfile de Silleteros, where farmers from Santa Elena carry flower arrangements on their backs along Avenida Guayabal and the Atanasio Girardot sports complex area, is the headline. Go on the last Sunday and claim a curb spot by 8 a.m. Weekdays are calmer for concerts, orchid shows and the Botanical Garden exhibits.
  • Weather: Expect 17 to 28°C (63 to 82°F), sunny mornings and afternoon showers. Bring a light rain jacket, sunscreen and a hat. Days run close to 12 hours of light.
  • Booking: Reserve beds four to six weeks ahead. Prices in El Poblado and Laureles climb 20 to 40 percent over the final weekend. Parade viewing is free, but grandstand seats sell out early.
  • Crowds: Metro lines 1 and 2 jam on parade day. Leave your lodging early, and plan to exit by metro rather than taxi after 3 p.m.
Book your bed before you book anything else, since the parade weekend fills first.


source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: not recommended for travelingFEBFebruary: not recommended for travelingMARMarch: not recommended for travelingAPRApril: not recommended for travelingMAYMay: not recommended for travelingJUNJune: not recommended for travelingJULJuly: not recommended for travelingAUGAugust: excellent for travelingSEPSeptember: not recommended for travelingOCTOctober: not recommended for travelingNOVNovember: not recommended for travelingDECDecember: not recommended for traveling

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🛏️ Where to stay?Best areas and accommodation options

El Poblado and Laureles are the two areas I would choose for the festival, and which one suits you depends on whether you want nightlife or a calmer base.
El Poblado, around Parque Lleras and Provenza, has the densest concentration of backpacker accommodation and the easiest social scene. Solo travelers meet people at hostel rooftops, shared dinners and organized walking tours. It is safe on the main streets and well lit, though Parque Lleras itself gets rowdy and pricey. Keep your phone tucked away at night and use rideshare apps instead of walking late. The metro Poblado station puts you on the … read more 👉
El Poblado and Laureles are the two areas I would choose for the festival, and which one suits you depends on whether you want nightlife or a calmer base.
El Poblado, around Parque Lleras and Provenza, has the densest concentration of backpacker accommodation and the easiest social scene. Solo travelers meet people at hostel rooftops, shared dinners and organized walking tours. It is safe on the main streets and well lit, though Parque Lleras itself gets rowdy and pricey. Keep your phone tucked away at night and use rideshare apps instead of walking late. The metro Poblado station puts you on the line to the parade routes within minutes.
Laureles, around the Segunda Avenida and Calle 70, feels more like a local residential neighborhood. Bars and restaurants here are cheaper, the pace is slower, and it sits within walking distance of the Atanasio Girardot area where festival events cluster. Travelers who prefer a quieter evening and good local food will like it more. The hostel scene is smaller, but friendlier and less party-focused.
Centro is cheapest and close to the Botanical Garden, but I would skip it for sleeping because streets empty and get sketchy after dark. Visit it by day.
During the festival, both main areas fill quickly, so book early and choose a spot near a metro station.
Best hostels in Colombia


Best quality hotels in Colombia

👛 Costs (as of 19 October 2026)Travel costs and budget guide for Feria de las Flores

Expect to spend around US$31 to 123 a day for Feria de las Flores, or about US$65 on a typical festival day for a budget traveler.
CategoryBudget RangeLocal Reality
Festival ticketsUS$0 to 25The silleteros parade and many outdoor events are free. Grandstand seats and some concerts cost US$10 to 25.
AccommodationUS$12 to 35Hostel dorms in El Poblado and Laureles run US$12 to 20 normally and rise 20 to 40 percent in festival week.
Local transportUS$2 to 8The metro costs under US$1 per ride. Rideshares across town are US$3 to 7.
Food & drinksUS$12 to 30Set lunches cost US$4 to 6, street snacks US$1 to 3, and beers US$1.50 to 3.
Miscellaneous expensesUS$5 to 25Sunscreen, rain poncho, souvenirs, tours to Santa Elena and tips.
Total Daily BudgetUS$31 to 123About US$65 on a typical festival day.


source: colombia.travel
⚠️ Prices can change and everyone travels differently, so take this as a rough guide. Hope it helps you plan your adventure!

🍲 FoodWhat to Eat & Drink

Festival food in Medellín is paisa through and through, and the best of it is sold at stalls around the Botanical Garden, Parque de los Deseos and the parade route.
The dish to try is the bandeja paisa, a huge platter of beans, rice, chicharrón, ground beef, fried egg, plantain and arepa. Order one and share it, because a single plate easily feeds two. Lighter options include empanadas, buñuelos, arepas con queso and fresh fruit cups with lime and salt. Near Santa Elena and the silletero villages, look for sancocho and trout grilled by the roadside.
For drinks, try fresh juices such as lulo, maracuyá and mora, plus tinto, the small black coffee sold everywhere. Aguardiente, the local anise spirit, flows freely at evening concerts. Beer is mostly Águila and Poker, served cold in plastic cups. … read more 👉
Festival food in Medellín is paisa through and through, and the best of it is sold at stalls around the Botanical Garden, Parque de los Deseos and the parade route.
The dish to try is the bandeja paisa, a huge platter of beans, rice, chicharrón, ground beef, fried egg, plantain and arepa. Order one and share it, because a single plate easily feeds two. Lighter options include empanadas, buñuelos, arepas con queso and fresh fruit cups with lime and salt. Near Santa Elena and the silletero villages, look for sancocho and trout grilled by the roadside.
For drinks, try fresh juices such as lulo, maracuyá and mora, plus tinto, the small black coffee sold everywhere. Aguardiente, the local anise spirit, flows freely at evening concerts. Beer is mostly Águila and Poker, served cold in plastic cups.
Pay in cash at street stalls. Carry small bills, since vendors rarely have change for large notes. Lines move fast but are informal, so stand your ground politely and say your order clearly. Prices on parade day rise, so eat a filling breakfast first and buy water before heading to the curb. Many stalls close by late evening, so plan dinner around 8 p.m. if you want hot food.

FAQTraveler FAQ

Feria de las Flores takes place in Medellín for about ten days in early August, usually running from the first Friday to the second Sunday. The Desfile de Silleteros parade closes the festival on the final Sunday. Most events happen across the city, including the Botanical Garden and Atanasio Girardot area.
Attending Feria de las Flores can be nearly free, since the silleteros parade and many outdoor events cost nothing. Grandstand seats and concerts typically cost US$10 to 25. Budget travelers should expect roughly US$55 to 90 per day including a hostel bed, which costs US$12 to 35 during festival week.
For Feria de las Flores, you do not need tickets to watch the main silleteros parade, since the route is open and free along the street. Reserved grandstand seats and some concerts do need advance tickets, which cost about US$10 to 25. Buy them several weeks ahead, as the best seats for the final Sunday sell out.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Colombian festivals near Feria de las Flores

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We 💚 feedbackIs it worth it?

Give Feria de las Flores four days, not the whole ten. That covers the silleteros parade, a Santa Elena visit and one slow day in the botanical garden. Stay longer only if Medellín’s cafés and neighborhoods already have you hooked. I would book the bed first and plan everything else around parade day.

✈️ When did I visit Colombia?
Did a good 3-week trip around Colombia in August 2014.

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Colombia, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

This site is built on a combination of firsthand travel experience and carefully curated insights from other backpackers. Many guides are based on places I’ve personally visited, while others bring together tips, observations, and practical advice shared by trusted travelers I’ve met along the way.

The goal is to provide realistic, experience-driven guidance — not generic itineraries — so you can explore destinations with better context, clearer expectations, and more confidence.

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