Mark your calendars for the 2025 Barranquilla Carnival, set to take place from March 1 to 4. This is your chance to make history. Grab your tickets now and secure your place at an event that promises unmatched excitement. Immerse yourself in the tradition, music, and joy of the Colombian Caribbean like never before.
Create unforgettable memories at the 2025 Barranquilla Carnival. Tickets are selling fast, and you don’t want to miss a moment of this extraordinary celebration. As Colombia’s most important folk and cultural festival, the Barranquilla Carnival transforms the city into a vibrant stage for folkloric dance and musical expressions that captivate both locals and visitors. The Carnaval de Barranquilla stands as Colombia’s most authentic, enthusiastic, and joyful celebration, second only to Rio de Janeiro’s carnival in size.
The 2025 Barranquilla Carnival will run from March 1 to 4, featuring captivating folk and musical events, grand parades, monumental floats, top musical groups, and unique experiences that everyone should witness. Pre-carnival events will kick off around February 1st.
Plan your 2025 Barranquilla Carnival Experience with Discover Barranquilla
Do you want to travel to the 2025 Barranquilla Carnival, but don’t have time to plan it? Get in touch with Discover Barranquilla and we can assist you with creating a personalized experience by reserving your accommodation at a hotel or hostel within your budget, purchasing your carnival tickets, and organizing your transportation while you are in Barranquilla. Please use our contact form and one of our representatives will be in touch with you shortly. You can also reach us via Whatsapp.
Pre-Carnival Events
Although the main carnival weekend will be from March 1 to 4, there are numerous pre-carnival events you can enjoy during the month of February. Learn more about these events, organized in order by date.
1. Lectura del Bando
Date: Saturday, January 18, 2025
This event officially opens the festivities by presenting the keys to the city and reading the proclamation. The event includes the presentation of the Carnival Queen and her King (Rey Momo) and a top-tier musical guest. It’s a folkloric show of tradition and music. Tickets required.
2. La Guacherna
Date: Friday, February 21, 2025 Saturday, February 22, 2025
UPDATE: La Guacherna was moved to Saturday, February 22, 2025 due to Shakira having her concert the night before on Friday, February 21st.
A magical night parade, La Guacherna illuminates the city with an enchanting display of lights. Participants don vibrant costumes adorned with LED lights, turning the streets into a dazzling spectacle. Live music, dance performances, and the infectious joy of the revelers accompany the procession, making it an unforgettable experience. Tickets not required, but palco tickets are available. Route: Carrera 44/Calle 53
3. Noche del Río
Date: TO BE ANNOUNCED
“La Noche Del Río” returns with force on Carrera 50! It’s a spectacle that embodies the very essence of our lush Colombian Caribbean, weaving the magical threads of the riverside music of the iconic Magdalena River. Imagine immersing yourself in the flow of infectious rhythms, allowing you to carry them away. This event is a traditional music concert. Tickets required.
4. Coronation of the 2025 Carnival Queen
Date: TO BE ANNOUNCED
A highly anticipated event, the coronation of the Carnival Queen is a glamorous affair. The 2025 Carnival queen, Tatiana Angulo Fernandez de Castro, will be crowned on stage, embodying the spirit and grace of the Carnival. The crowning ceremony is a lavish spectacle, featuring elaborate gowns, dazzling jewelry, and electrifying performances. Tickets required.
Carnival Weekend
The Barranquilla Carnival (Carnaval de Barranquilla) is one of Colombia’s most vibrant cultural events, celebrated annually in the coastal city of Barranquilla. This colorful festival, declared a UNESCO Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity, blends African, indigenous, and Spanish traditions. Over four days, participants and spectators enjoy parades, music, and traditional dances such as cumbia, mapalé, and garabato. The carnival kicks off with the “Battle of the Flowers” parade and features flamboyant costumes, masks, and lively rhythms. It’s a joyful expression of Barranquilla’s cultural diversity and creativity, attracting both locals and international visitors.
1. La Batalla de Flores Parade (The Battle of the Flowers)
Date: Saturday, March 1, 2025
The Battle of Flowers is the Carnival’s iconic opening parade, showcasing extravagant floats adorned with intricate floral arrangements. Dazzling queens, dressed in stunning costumes, lead the procession, accompanied by dancers, musicians, and revelers. The parade winds through the city streets, filling the air with music, laughter, and the sweet scent of blossoms. Palco tickets are recommended.
2. Gran Parada de Tradición y Folclor (Grand Parade of Tradition and Folklore)
Date: Sunday, March 2, 2025
This grand parade celebrates the cultural diversity and traditional roots of Barranquilla. Groups representing different ethnic backgrounds perform traditional dances, wear colorful costumes, and showcase folkloric music. From cumbia and mapalé to merecumbé and porro, the rhythms of Colombia reverberate through the streets, captivating spectators. Palco tickets are recommended.
3. Gran Parada de Comparsas de Fantasía (Grand Parade of Fantasy Dance Groups)
Date: Monday, March, 3, 2025
A colorful and musical parade featuring a variety of traditional and fantasy troupes that create a lively human river filled with authentic carnival flavor. It’s an exciting parade full of feathers, sparkles, and lively dancing. It’s also this author’s favorite parade of the three! Palco tickets are recommended.
4. Joselito se va con las cenizas Parade (Joselito is off with the ashes)
Date: Tuesday, March 4, 2025
This is the final day of the carnaval and the parade route is usually on Carrera 54, NOT on Vía 40. Joselito represents the death of the carnival, and his wife, in this case, the carnival queen, dons black attire as a symbol of her widowhood. She mourns him throughout the entire parade route. Attendees are expected to wail dramatically as the queen approaches. Joselito symbolizes the joy of the carnival. It is said that this character “resuscitates” on Carnival Saturday and “dies” on the last day, tired and drunken, to again be revived for the next carnival. This event is free, takes place in the street, and there are no palcos.
5. Baila la Calle (Dance the Street)
Dates: Friday, February 28th; Saturday, March 1st; and Sunday, March 2nd, 2025
Balla la Calle is a a very popular open-air street concert that takes place over the course of three nights. You don’t have to attend all three nights, with just one you should be fine. Numerous bands play at this three-day-long concert that goes into the night. The event takes place on Carrera 50. Tickets required.
Where can I buy palco tickets?
You’ve probably seen the word “palco” numerous times by now and you’re wondering what that is. The palcos are grandstands or bleachers. When you buy your palco tickets bear in mind that there is no assigned seating. Each palco is assigned a name, such as Palco Rey Momo, with no specific seat allocation. We recommend you arrive early to secure a good spot.
The most expensive palcos in 2025 are $495,000 COP if you buy directly from Tuboleta. To purchase your 2025 palco tickets please click HERE.
If you are unable to complete the purchase yourself, Discover Barranquilla can purchase the tickets on your behalf for an additional fee. Please use our contact form or message us on Whatsapp for further assistance.
IMPORTANT: You cannot buy tickets for individual days. All palco tickets are sold for all three days (Saturday, Sunday, Monday).
If you choose not to attend on a particular day, you can resell your ticket for that day to someone else.
There are also minipalcos and these palcos are on the eastern side of the street. It’s usually not advisable to purchase these palcos due to the strong sunlight on that side of the street. However, we recommend minipalcos over simply standing in the street.
Transportation
The Ernesto Cortissoz International Airport is located to the south of Barranquilla in the city of Soledad. International flights arrive directly from Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Panama, and Curazao. Domestic flights arrive from Bogotá, Medellín, Cali, Valledupar, Montería, and San Andrés.
You can also reach Barranquilla by bus. Buses arrive daily at the Terminal Metropolitana de Transportes de Barranquilla, which is located to the south of Barranquilla in the city of Soledad. You can reach Barranquilla from numerous cities including:
- Cartagena (2 hours)
- Santa Marta (2 hours)
- Bogotá (18-20 hours)
- Medellín (14 hours)
- Cali (23-27 hours)
You can purchase bus tickets from numerous online bus ticketing websites, including:
What should I wear to the carnival?
Bright colors! If you’re in Barranquilla a few days before, I recommend you hit the mall. If you’re a woman, find a colorful carnaval headband. Big colorful earrings are also popular. Carnaval t-shirts are also readily available. If you’re going as a couple, it’s common for couples to wear matching shirts. Anything that’s a bright, bold will do for the carnival. Don’t be afraid to express yourself!
Carnival Dos and Don’ts
Do:
Remember to buy your palco tickets well in advance so you’re not scrounging at the last minute or paying scalpers exorbitant prices
Get to the parade early in order to secure a good spot on the palco
Wear sunscreen/sunblock
Wear sunglasses
Use mosquito repellent
Wear a very small cell phone bag/pouch to keep your phone, money, cards, and other belongings in.
Remember to have a good time!
Don’t:
Bring a large bag with tons of stuff you don’t absolutely need
Bring your passport, ID, all your cash, and every single credit card you have. Only bring an ID and enough cash to buy beer, water, and food, and pay for your taxis to and from.
Don’t bring any beer, water, or other drinks with you. They are not permitted past security. You can buy once you are inside
Wear a belt. Yes, I’m serious. If you wear a belt, you will have to take off the belt and leave it on the belt table with the rest of the belts. You can reclaim your belt on your way out and it may or may not be there.
Wear flashy jewelry and watch your phone at all time (pickpockets are active during carnaval)!
Get upset if someone throws maizena or foam spray on you. You’ll get a little dirty at carnaval
Who is the 2025 Carnival Queen?
Tatiana Angulo Fernandez de Castro is the 2025 Barranquilla Carnival Queen. She presides as the queen over the entire carnival and is the most important person representing the carnival. Tatiana belongs to the Fernández de Castro dynasty of Carnival queens. Her grandmother Lucía was queen in 1965, her aunt Maribel in 1987, and her cousin Cristina in 2015.
Alexsandra “Lex” Estarita Villa is the 2025 Queen of the Carnaval de la 44 (44th Avenue Carnival Queen) and is considered the second most important queen.
The Reina Popular del Carnaval is considered the third most important queen and the 2025 queen is yet to be chosen.
What concerts are taking place on Carnaval weekend?
Typically, on Carnival there are a few major concerts that take place.
Shakira
Shakira very recently announced that she is having two concerts in Barranquilla on Thurs, February 20th and Fri, February 21st, 2025. The concert will take place at the Estadio Metropolitano with a capacity of 57,000. Pre-sale tickets go on sale on Tuesday, October 8th at 10 a.m. Colombia time. You must register at shakira.com for early access. The most expensive tickets are currently $840,000 COP (~$202 USD). If you are in town the week before carnival, this is a must see event.
Afrodancehall Killa Fest Carnival Edition 2025
Afrodancehall is one the most important beach parties in the Colombian Caribbean. Afrodancehall has not yet announced the details for its 2025 Barranquilla Carnival festival. Check back soon.
Metroconcierto
Metroconcierto is a major concert organizer in Colombia. Past carnival concerts have included artists like Marc Anthony and Nicky Jam. Metroconcierto has not yet announced the details for its 2025 Barranquilla Carnival concert. Check back soon.
What are the best hotels to stay at during the 2025 Barranquilla Carnival?
There are numerous hotels and a few hostels to choose from during your stay. Barranquilla offers a diverse range of hotels to cater to every traveler’s needs. If you find yourself in town for the world-famous Carnaval de Barranquilla, finding the perfect accommodation is key to enhancing your overall experience. Some hotels we recommend are the Marriott, El Prado, and the Dann Carlton.
Things to do in Barranquilla
If you find yourself in Barranquilla a few days before or after the carnaval, there are numerous activities you can take part in or places you can visit in and around Barranquilla. Please visit our Fun Things to do in Barranquilla article for suggestions. Please use our contact form or Whatsapp if you’d like us to book you a tour. During carnival weekend, please contact each venue to confirm their hours of operation.
About Barranquilla
Barranquilla is the capital of the Atlántico department and the largest city on the Colombian coast. It is the fourth-largest city in Colombia and home to the second-largest carnival in the world, the Carnaval de Barranquilla. The city is located on the Caribbean Sea and has a population of 1.3 million. Barranquilla earned the moniker “Puerta de Oro” or “Golden Gate” due to the influx of immigrants from the Middle East and Asia who arrived after World Wars I and II through the city’s main port.
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