Bogotá: Festivals and Events 2026
Bogotá’s calendar runs from a weekly street party to two of Latin America’s biggest arts festivals, and timing a trip around one is worth the effort. Here’s what’s confirmed for 2026.
Ciclovía (every Sunday and holiday)
This is Bogotá’s defining event, not a one-off: roughly 120 km of major roads close to cars from 7am to 2pm every Sunday and holiday, a tradition running since 1974 and considered the world’s oldest and largest open-streets program. If your trip includes a Sunday, build a morning around it.
Festival Iberoamericano de Teatro (FITB), March 20 to April 5, 2026
One of the world’s largest performing-arts festivals, FITB brings theater companies from across Latin America and beyond to venues throughout the city for over two weeks. It only happens every two years, so 2026 is a real window.
Festival de Verano (August)
Bogotá’s summer festival brings free outdoor concerts, sports, and family events to parks around the city during the month it’s held.
Rock al Parque, October 10-12, 2026
Latin America’s largest free rock festival marks its 30th anniversary in 2026 at Parque Simón Bolívar, drawing national and international acts over three days at no cost to attend.
Día de las Velitas, December 7
Colombia’s Christmas season opens with this candle-and-lantern night, when households and streets light up in the evening. It’s worth noting this is distinct from Medellín’s separately branded holiday lights program.
Semana Santa
Bogotá’s historic churches host Holy Week processions and services, though Popayán further south is generally considered Colombia’s premier Semana Santa destination if that’s the specific draw.
A few practical notes for festival-going: book accommodation early around FITB and Rock al Parque, since both draw visitors from across the region, and dress in layers regardless of the month, since Bogotá’s altitude keeps evenings cool even during outdoor festivals.
Beyond the marquee dates, Bogotá’s identity as a cultural capital shows up in smaller ways year-round: the city carries the UNESCO World Book Capital title from 2007, and its nickname, “Athens of South America,” reflects a long history of universities, theaters, and libraries rather than any single event. If your dates don’t line up with FITB or Rock al Parque, a Sunday Ciclovía plus an evening in La Candelaria’s bars and chicherías still gives a strong sense of how the city celebrates on an ordinary week. For transport to any of these events, book a taxi through an app or have your hotel call one rather than hailing on the street, and expect crowds on TransMilenio around the biggest festival weekends.
Read more: our Bogotá 3-day itinerary shows how to fit a festival day into a short trip.