Festival of the Flowers Medellin
Feria de las Flores 2023

Festival of the Flowers Medellin, Feria de las Flores 2023

La Feria de las Flores takes over the city of Medellin for two weeks in late July/Early August for a series of concerts and parties culminating on the final day with a large parade. The Gay Feria de Las Flores is held during the same period. Medellin is the city of eternal springtime, blessed with pleasant and warm weather throughout the year.

• Are you visiting for Medellin Flower Festival? It is the biggest event of the year, so plan ahead. Stay in El Poblado, home to the city’s top gay bars and clubs and the main pride festivities. Stay at the Sites hotel complete with a beautiful rooftop lounge and rooms with sweeping views of the city.

The Flower Festival

• Medellin’s Feria de las Flores has all the ingredients for a memorable event, great weather, sexy paisa boys and lots of flowers!
• The event began in 1957 to celebrate Colombia’s flower industry and has grown into a ten-day event, becoming one of the most popular festivals in the country. Flowers are one of the main exports of Colombia.
• During this Festival, you can enjoy a classic car parade with lots of old but stylish cars in good condition. Besides, folk music, dancing, and tasty traditional food and drinks. The Festival is full of different activities like impressive concerts and pagan parades.

Desfile de Autos Clasicos (Classic Car Parade).

• Each year an estimated one million people see the Desfile de Autos Clasicos (Classic Car Parade). Paisas have some vintage cars that are in excellent condition. And some Colombians even come from all over the country to participate in this very popular parade. Every year, they dust the cars off and dress up in costumes to go for a drive in the classic car parade. Over 300 vehicles participate in the event.

Desfile de Silleteros, The Flower Parade

• Awaiting Dates – The highlight of the Festival is the Desfile de Silleteros which commemorates the labourers who used to hoist wooden silletas (structures decorated with flowers) on their backs to transport their goods into town. The parade features lots of pretty colourful flowers everywhere. Participants in the parade decorate wooden silletas with elaborate flower arrangements. The creations are carried through the streets with dancers in colourful costumes and marching drum bands.
• The flower arrangements are made at the nearby pueblo of Santa Elena. The event attracts thousands of visitors from Colombia and beyond as the city streets transform into a colourful party zone. The event even has its official theme song each year.

Metro Concierto de Conciertos

• Awaiting  Dates – The Festival offers more than 150 various concerts and other activities. One event not to miss is the Metro Concierto de Conciertos.
• Held on the final Sunday of the Festival, the event brings together some of the top Latin pop stars from across South America at the Estadio Atanasio Girardot. Other locations hosting events include Teatro Carlos Vieco and Edificio Vasquez.
• The concert begins at 6 pm, but you should arrive early to avoid the queues.

Gay Feria de Las Flores

• El Mozo and Industry Club host special themed parties during the final weekend of the Festival of flowers as the gay bars along the El Poblado district come alive with thousands of visitors celebrating and enjoying the unique party atmosphere. By day you can take the Tour Queer Flores y Silletas and learn more about the Flower Fair, its traditions and customs.
• Discover the best of Gay Medellin with a VIP Party night tour. Visit 4 to 5 different bars and clubs during the night. The itinerary depends on what’s hot that night; the tour guide’s knowledge of the city party scene and close relationship with bars help them decide. All of your drinks and transportation are included! All clients enjoy VIP entrances without lines and cover all the bars and clubs.

Medellin Gay Bars

• Bar Chiquita – Friendly neighborhood bar with a large outdoor terrace, the perfect place to watch the world go by.
• Donde Aquellos – Flirt with local hot Colombians and enjoy a mix of pop and salsa music on the large outdoor terrace.
• La Cantina de Javi – Popular with locals and one of our top recommendations for an authentic experience.
• Ink Bar 33 – In the Laureles district close to the Viva gay club, complete with dance floor and happy hours.

Medellin Gay Clubs

• Viva Discoteca – Large gay club with theme nights on Saturday evenings with two dancefloors playing everything from Crossover music to Reggaeton. In Colombia, “crossover” refers to an eclectic mix of music where anything from salsa, vallenato, and merengue, to pop, Reggaeton, and electronica is played.
• Zero by Purple Club – Small but busy club in Poblado playing classic Latino pop mixes. Open Thursday to Saturday.
• Industry Club – Popular club with two dance halls playing electro music and full of hot circuit boys. Open on Fridays and Saturdays.

Recommended Hotels

Here are the hotels we recommend with good reviews, close to all the action:

Sites Hotel,  Lettera Hotel,  Four Points,  14 Urban Hotel