READ BARRANQUILLA CARNIVALS 2024 GUIDE

Are you ready to attend the Barranquilla Carnival 2023? Carnival is the most important event celebrated in Barranquilla, Colombia. It takes place every year in February. The carnival’s main attraction is the costume parades and troupes enlivened by bands that play happy music, which takes place in the main streets of Barranquilla. Expert dancers perform beautiful choreographies accompanying colorful floats. The carnival offers cultural and artistic activities, concerts of different musical genres, plays, and art festivals. You can also enjoy spaces that offer typical foods and sales of crafts from the region, all framed in an atmosphere of celebration and joy.

The Barranquilla Carnival is a Colombian Caribbean party for the world, declared by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site; it is a party full of joy, color, music, art, creativity, and folklore.

• Dates of the Carnival
• 4 days of Carnivals events – Saturday – Sunday – Monday – Tuesday
• Concerts
• Pre-carnivals events
• Tips
• Carnival Queen
• How to dress
• Tickets
• Children Carnival
• Hoteles and info
• Carnival dictionary

Dates of the Barranquilla Carnival 2023

As it happens every year, this colorful and joyful party will take place in 2023 in the month of February, starting on Saturday, February 18, 2023, until Tuesday, February 21. On each carnival day, special events and parades are held. However, there is also a wide carnival program in the weeks before these days. The city vibrates with its party from the Lectura del bando, a symbolic act that starts the carnival season.

Barranquilla decorates its houses, shopping centers, avenues, and emblematic places with the allegorical figures of the carnival in an exhibition of colors and creativity.

The most important events in the 4 days of Carnivals 2023

This is the list of the events that traditionally take place on the four days of the Barranquilla Carnival. Parades with their characteristics are held on the stage of Via 40 during the four days of festivities: battle of flowers (Batalla de Flores), the great parade of tradition (Gran Parada de tradición), the great parade of comparsas (Gran Parada de comparsas). Parades are also held during those days in other city sectors, such as Carrera 44, Calle 17, and Calle 84.

Saturday Carnival: February 18, 2023

• Batalla de Flores – Battle of flowers: On route 40, this parade of artistically decorated floats is held, presided over by the queen of the carnival and King Momo. Thousands of dancers grouped in different “comparsas” and orchestras delighted the public that congregated in boxes located throughout the journey. Artists, beauty queens, and queens of other events and contests parade in these floats. It is the main sample of all the joy, folklore, creativity, and art present in each group and each costume.
• King Momo Parade takes place on Carnival Saturday on 17th Street, with King Momo from the Barranquilla Carnival as the protagonist.
• Dance on the street (Baila a la calle): an event where music, gastronomy, and artisan samples come together in the same place to provide a show of joy. Presentations of musical, folkloric groups and litanies are made.
• Batalla de Flores ‘Sonia Osorio’ with more than one hundred local and national folkloric groups. The tour will start in La Troja, will go through Carrera 44 and will culminate in the Plaza de la Paz.
• Concerts: in different hotels, clubs, stadiums or stages there are concerts. See list below.

Sunday Carnival: February 19, 2023

• Gran parada de tradición y folcror: It is a parade on Via 40 where traditional folkloric comparsas show their dances such as cumbia, garabato, mapalé, among others.
• Orchestra Festival: It is one of the most anticipated events in the Barranquilla Carnival, especially for the musical groups that aspire to win the Congo de Oro. This festival brings together the greatest artists of local, national, and international music to sing to Barranquilla and his people.
• Baila a la Calle / Night of Orchestras: an event where music, gastronomy, and crafts come together in the same place to offer a show of joy. Presentations of musical groups, folklore, and litanies are made.
• Festival of letanías : cuchilla Barrio abajo
• Comedy Gathering
• Great parade of the safeguarding and the Carlos Franco tradition: organized by the Association of Folkloric Groups of the Department of the Atlantic.
• Concerts: in different hotels, clubs, stadiums or stages there are concerts. See list below.

Monday Carnival: February 20, 2023

• Gran Parada de comparsas: parade on Via 40 where groups of fantasy and tradition are presented to the sound of rhythms from the Colombian Caribbean, Africans, Brazilians, Hawaiians, and a lot of fusion of the traditional ones.
• Baila a la Calle/Noche de tambó: an event where music, gastronomy, and crafts come together in the same place to offer a show of joy. Presentations of musical groups, folklore, and litanies are made.
• Comedy Gathering:

Tuesday Carnival: February 21, 2023

• Joselito’s Burial – 84 street: it is the celebration that closes the festivities in a parade where the widows cry and bury Joselito; many troupes appear. Different parades are held, but one of the most recommended is the one on 84th street. Organized by the Art and Folklore Foundation of the Atlantic
• Joselito leaves with the ashes. cra 54 Barrio Prado – Barrio Abajo.
• Conquest of Carnival starting on the boulevard of Carrera 8 up to the Simón Bolívar neighborhood.

Which are the concerts of the Barranquilla Carnival 2023?

Every year Barranquilla is the scene of concerts with national and international artists.

• Carnival Metroconcert: It is a concert where several world-class artists perform.
• Hotel del Prado: The traditional Hotel del Prado holds a concert with great artists.
• Moys a la Calle: It gathers artists and closes an entire street to present their great concert.
• Country Club: members and their guests offer a party with artists on Carnival Saturday.
• And many more.

Metroconcert – Saturday, February 18

Wisin y Yandel, Juan Luis Guerra, Ryan Castro, Peter Manjarres, Diego Daza and Maelo Ruiz.
tickets in https://tuboleta.com/eventos/detalle/metro-concierto-de-conciertos-2023/2391511855

Hotel del Prado – Saturday February 18

The traditional party of the Hotel del Prado will present this 2023 Charlie Aponte, Jose Alberto el Canario, Bonny Cepeda, Ivan Villazon, Peter Manzarrez, Bananas. https://tuboleta.com/eventos/detalle/fiesta-tradicional-de-carnaval/10565681739

Moys a la Calle – Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 February

Saturday: Maelo Ruiz, Puerto Rican Power, Eddy Herrera, Hermanos Rosarios, Peter Manjarres, Farid Ortiz.

Sunday: Grupo Niche, Maelo Ruiz, Puerto Rican Power, Eddy Herrera, Ana Del Castillo Y Beto Zabaleta.

https://www.taqui-co.com/moysalacallesab

Juntos de Nuevo – Sunday, February 19 – Puerta de Oro

On Sunday in Puerta de Oro is presented Poncho Zuleta, Ivan Villazon, Omar Geles, Beto Zabaleta, Peter Manjarrez, Ana Del Castillo, Jean K Centeno, Diego Daza, Elder Dayan, Churo Diaz y Rafa Perez. https://latiquetera.com/evento/juntos-de-nuevo-carnavales-de-barranquilla

PRE-CARNAVALS 2023

When do the pre-carnivals 2023 start?

The carnival begins with a season prior to the four days of the festival. From the month of August of the year before the carnival, the central queen of the festivities is chosen, for the Barranquillera woman it is an honor to preside over this important party. This honor always falls to a graceful, cheerful young woman with great mastery of the art of dancing traditional rhythms, who with great sympathy serves as an ambassador of the festivities in the country and internationally.

Pre-carnivals Events

For Carnival 2023, the following events are expected to be scheduled:

January Events

• Raising of the flag del Carnaval de Barranquilla – January 12th
• Lectura el bando: Folkloric show of tradition and music, where the festivities are officially declared open, through the delivery of the keys to the city and the Lectura del Bando. Saturday, January 21.
• Cumbia al rio: on the Malecón Sunday, January 22
• River of traditions: opening of exhibitions of macro figures – Friday, January 27.
• Coronation of popular queens: in the different sectors of the city. Friday 27, Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 of January.
• Coronation of the 44 Carnival queen: Plaza de la Paz starting at 5:00 in the afternoon. It will have the participation of renowned musical groups and artists, including Checo Acosta. Friday, January 27
• Comedy Festival: Saturday January 28, Saturday February 4, Monday February 20 and Tuesday February 21.
• Coronation of Gay Kings and Popular Gay Queen: at 8:00 p.m. in the Plaza de la Paz. January 28

Weekend events from February 3 to 5, 2023

• Festival of tradition: it is a folkloric event. Friday February 3.
• Comparsas party: Saturday, February 4 in the Plaza de la Paz.
• River Guacherna: The event, which is led by the Naval Social Action. It will be enlivened by important artists and groups such as Checo Acosta, Óscar Prince and the Son Marino Orchestra of the ARC Naval School of Petty Officers. Sunday, February 5 at 10:00 a.m. from the sector of the Barranquilla Maritime Signaling dock on Route 40, aboard vessels of the Colombian River Shipping Company.
• Dance and cumbia festival: Sunday, February 5.

Weekend events from February 10 to 12, 2023

• La Guacherna is a nocturnal parade of lanterns, comparsas, costumes and celebrities, quite a spectacle to enjoy and even join one of the many groups that parade. Friday February 10.
• Party and coronation of the kings of the children’s carnival: in the Plaza de la Paz. Saturday, February 11
• Night of Lanterns and Drums: Saturday, February 11, folkloric groups, cumbiambas, comparsas and costumes will begin their journey at 47th street with 84th street up to 59B street. 7:00 p.m. Organized by the Atlantic Folklore and Art Foundation (Fayfa).
• Election and coronation of the popular queen: the neighborhoods elect a queen to represent them in the popular queen contest. Reign that includes his coronation party on the day of the election and afterwards in his locality. Saturday February 11, 2023 in the Plaza de la Paz.
• Southwest Carnival Parade – Starting point. Carlos Meidel Children’s Home, Calle 76 # 24c-38. February 11, 2023 – 1:00 PM
• Gay Guacherna and Coronation of the Kings of the Gay Carnival -The Barranquilla carnival is an inclusive event that allows the representation of different classes, always present the gay parade who have a space to participate. February 11 starts at 72nd street with 38th street up to 44th street and going down all the 44th street to 63rd street at 9:00 p.m.
• Children’s Carnival Parade: Great parade with children of all ages, with floats and music. It is led by childish kings. Sunday February 12. Cra 53 heading to the neighborhood below.

Weekend events from February 16 to 19, 2023

• The night of the river: great sample of the traditional songs of the riverside towns of the Magdalena river that join the carnival of Barranquilla to show their art and their culture. Thursday February 16. par vial Cra 50.
• Coronation of the carnival queen: Beautiful show with a show of great artistic quality. February 17, 2023. Romelio Martinez Stadium.
• Dance in the street: Friday the 17th, Saturday the 18th and Sunday the 19th of February in the par vial cra 50.

In addition to these events, you can also enjoy dance festivals, costume contests, and activities in the different traditional neighborhoods of the city.

The most important events of the pre-carnival of Barranquilla 2023

Lectura del bando – Saturday January 21

Folkloric show of tradition and music, where the festivities are officially declared open, through the delivery of the keys to the city and the Reading of the Bando. One of the great guests in the musical note is the Valduparense Peter Manjarrés, from Cartagena Lil Silvio & El Vega and the merengue of the Dominican Kinito Méndez.

Guacherna – February 10, 2023

It will start at Carrera 44 with Calle 70, it will go down Carrera 44 until it reaches Calle 53, it will turn left to take Calle 53 to Carrera 54, it will turn right and continue until the Casa del Carnaval where it will end.

Coronation of the Carnival Queen – February 17, 2023

A tribute to the dance and to those who are passionate about this art, with 400 dancers on stage and the special participation of Chelito De Castro. With the best musical roster to experience it as it is, with the Prince of Carnival, Checo Acosta; From the Caribbean Zion and Lennox, Gente de Zona, and the Gran Combo. Tickets at Tuboleta.com

The Rumbón del Carnaval – Friday, February 17

At Club Campestre enjoy the great Vallenato partying. https://eventu.co/eventos/la-gran-parranda-vallenata/

Carnavalon Barranquilla – Friday, February 27

Presents Don Omar, El Alfa, Rey Ruiz, Sergio Vargas, Elder Dayan, Fulanito, Labanda Del 5, The Empire, Marco Acevedo, Seppe Y Gama, Vaech, Nicotina. In Puerta de Oro (Esplanade) – Barranquilla Friday, February 17, 2023. https://latiquetera.com/evento/carnavalon-barranquilla-2023

Other events of the Carnival and Pre Carnival of Barranquilla 2023

Les presentamos otros eventos del Carnaval de Barranquilla en los municipios del Atlántico.

Metrofest 2023 – Santo Tomas – Saturday, February 11

Carlos Vives, Ñejo , Lil Silvio Y El Vega, Diego Daza , Elder Dayan Diaz , Churo Diaz, Mr Black, Checo Acosta

El Fieston de Santoto – Santo Tomas – Saturday, February 11

Mora, Rafa Pérez, La Banda Del 5, Criss Y Ronny, Sog, Kapla Y Miky, Yourboyfriend Is Fire, Dj Dever, Nicotina (Dj Residente).

The Great Mano a Mano of salsa – Baranoa – February 19

Gran Combo De Puerto Rico, Grupo Niche, Eddie Herrera, Elder Dayan, Checo Acosta, Ivan Villazon, La Banda Del 5, Fusion Orquesta, Mr Black, Lessing Kerguelen

Tips for coming to Carnival 2023 in Barranquilla

• Buy event tickets from officially accredited sites.
• Buy tickets in advance.
• Take into account the event’s start time to go to the place with enough time.
• Use a small, zippered bag or backpack and keep it forward to prevent theft.
• If possible, attend the events accompanied.
• The main events are held in via 40, they offer two locations with seats: palcos and mini palcos. The palcos have a high ceiling and offer amenities such as food sales, bathrooms, and live music. The mini palcos are located on the sidewalk of the sun; they are smaller, with a single floor and a lower price. The ticket office of both palcos includes the programming of the three days of parades.
• If you want to go only on Sunday or Monday to Via 40, you can get cheap tickets outside the palcos and minipalcos. The most expensive event is the “Batalla de Flores,” but they do not sell tickets only for Saturday. You must buy the three days.
• As a visitor, it is possible that you do not know the prices that are handled in the city. Each establishment must have a price list; always ask them to show it to you to know how much to pay before consuming.
• If you want to buy in an informal sale, inquire about the price beforehand to avoid inconvenience.
• Ask only police officers or your hotel receptionist to help you with information.
• If possible, arrange your transportation to and from the events. Public transportation may be difficult to get to some events.
• Avoid wearing jewelry or valuables when attending large events.

Things to know and keep in mind about Carnival 2023

• Traditionally as part of the fun, throwing foam or cornstarch is used. It is usually a game between friends, but you cannot avoid that at some point. A little of these elements falls on you. Be tolerant.
• Clutter is part of the party. So you have to adjust to the clutter a bit.

Who is the queen of the Barranquilla Carnival 2023?

Natalia De Castro González is the 2023 Carnival queen. She is a young 27-year-old industrial engineer who has been a dancer and dance instructor. She has 16 years of artistic career at the Julie de Donado School of Dance.

The momo king of the 2023 Barranquilla Carnival is Sebastián Guzmán Gallego. He has a wide folkloric trajectory.

How to dress for 2023 Carnival events?

Barranquilla has hot weather. It is best to come in shorts, colorful t-shirts, tennis, a hat or a cap. Use sunscreen, and hydrate a lot.

Why come to Barranquilla for the carnivals?

This is an excellent opportunity to enjoy the most entertaining events in Barranquilla. It is also a perfect time to explore its beautiful beaches, monuments, and local culture.

Where to buy tickets for the 2023 Barranquilla Carnival events?

Tickets to attend carnival events must be purchased from authorized sites, guaranteeing the ticket’s legitimacy. The main hotels provide ticket sales service for their guests, and travel agencies also offer the alternative of acquiring the ticket office in their tour package. Information about authorized sites is widely disseminated when the event is scheduled.

These are some of the websites where you can find ticket offices:

• https://www.tuboleta.com/
• https://latiquetera.com/
• https://eventu.co/
• https://www.taqui-co.com/

2023 Barranquilla Carnival with children

Barranquilla’s carnival is also for children!

The children are the seedbed of the carnival; they are the ones who continue the tradition so that the carnival never dies. The children who visit us can participate in the carnival, enjoy the fantasy of dressing up, and attend the parades.

At the carnival, children have their special day, schools, cultural houses, and folk groups and participate with their little ones in a great parade of floats and troupes in which they show all the talent and taste for these festivals. The parade this 2023 has not yet been contemplated. However, the Carnival will be held in the park for children where the little ones will be able to enjoy cultural activities in the city parks.

There are activities and game afternoons at the zoo, parks, and shopping centers where children attend in costumes.

Social clubs also hold children’s parades that follow the tradition of their parents and grandparents.

You can buy costumes for all ages at department stores and local merchandise stores.

Recommended events for children at the Barranquilla Carnival 2023

• Children’s Carnival Parade Great parade with children of all ages, with floats and music. It is led by childish kings. Sunday February 12. Cra 53 heading to Barrio abajo.
• Batalla de flores, gran parada de tradicón and gran parada de comparsas:  these are 3 parades that only children over 7 years old can attend. This is the age allowed in the boxes and mini-limes.
• Death of joselito on heald Tuesday on 84th street.

Children’s Carnival Queen 2023

Tahiana Rentería De Ávila is the queen of the children’s carnival of 2023. She is the daughter of Barranquillero major league baseball player Edgar Rentería. Since she was 3 years old, she belongs to the Julie de Donado Dance School where she has trained as a great dancer.

The child momo king is Diego Andrés Chelia Acosta, 16 years old. From a very young age, he has shown his love for Carnival, and for 6 years he has been one of the members of the ‘Cumbiamberitos de San José’.

What is the best way to get to Barranquilla?

Most visitors arrive in Barranquilla through the Ernesto Cortissoz International Airport.

Where should I stay in Barranquilla for carnivals?

There are many different options to stay in the city during February, such as hotels and apartments. It is advisable to stay in the city’s north for greater security. In the north, you can find the most exclusive hotels in Barranquilla and smaller and cheaper hotels.

A good option may be to find a hotel or apartment near the events you are going to attend. See a list of Hotels in Barranquilla.

How much does a hotel stay cost at Carnivals?

The price of the hotel stay during February will change according to the room category, location, and availability at this time. Keep in mind that prices go up, so we recommend you reserve your room in advance.

What places should I visit during carnivals?

When planning your trip, it may be good to look up information about all the events and activities to better plan your stay. During February, you can enjoy many concerts of different musical genres such as salsa, merengue, cumbia, vallenato, and bolero.

In addition, there are many popular places worth visiting, such as the Malecón, the Plaza de la Paz, and la Aduana. You can also attend many cultural activities such as the carnival museum, the Caribbean museum, beaches, etc. Find the list of all the tourist sites of Barranquilla and its surroundings.

What is the best way to get around Barranquilla?

You can find many different transportation options in Barranquilla, including public buses and taxis. The most recommended are taxis ordered from your hotel, platforms, or taxi stations that identify which driver is responsible for taking the passenger. The most popular satellite station is 3222222. You call and request a taxi, and they give you a security code. The driver asks him to corroborate. From the taxi station, they know who the driver you requested is, and they know where the taxi is through GPS. Please note that taxi stations are located in shopping malls, hotels, and public places. For safety, avoid taking taxis on the street.

There is also the option of renting a car in Barranquilla, but keep in mind that carnival events have few parking spaces, and remember that if you are going to drink liquor you should not drive. Read Where to rent a car in Barranquilla?

Carnival Pico y Placa 2023

If you have a private car, there are 3 days that the Pico y placa (peak and plate) are applied in Barranquilla and you will not be able to travel with your vehicle on the street.

Friday, February 17, 2023: From 2:00 p.m. on Friday until 6:00 a.m. on Saturday, license plates ending in 1 – 2 – 3 cannot transit.

Saturday, February 18, 2023: From 10:00 a.m. on Saturday until 6:00 a.m. on Sunday, license plates ending in 4 – 5 – 6 – 7 will not be able to transit.

Sunday, February 19, 2023: From 10:00 a.m. on Sunday until 6:00 a.m. on Monday, license plates ending in 8 – 9 – 0 will not be able to transit.

Museo del Carnaval de Barranquilla

It is a museum with a modern and interactive design that allows its visitors to live and enjoy the most important parades of the festival, their dances, their music, their characters, and the costumes of the queens. It is located in the Abajo neighborhood next to Casa del Carnaval.

Website: https://museocarnavaldebarranquilla.org/elmuseo/
Tickets: https://www.tuboleta.com/eventos/detalle/museo-del-carnaval/10476786008

Carnival Dictionary

If you come to the carnival, these are some of the phrases you will hear often.

• Who lives it is who enjoys it: the motto of the carnival
• Cornstarch: It is flour that people throw each other others
• Aguardiente: is a liquor that is often drunk at the carnival
• Cumbiódromo: Name given to Vía 40; route or space used to carry out the main Carnival parades.
• Polleras party: Party of women with cumbiamberas skirts that takes place throughout the carnival.
• Litany: they recite verses in the form of a litany (verses that rhyme).
• Pea pea: it is a whistle that the marimonda uses. It sounds like flatulence.
• Marimonda: a costume that is a mixture of primate and elephant, representing the spirit of a man born in Barranquilla.
• Nojoda : expression of the Costeños, which means excellent or of amazement, disappointment, or joy.
• Frito: traditional food on the Colombian coast

Typical food of the Barranquilla Carnival

The Barranquilla Carnival is the perfect time to try the city’s delicacies. You can’t have breakfast without an arepa with egg or some chicharrones. A lunch with fried mojarra, a sancocho, or a steak with coconut rice. A cold malt as a snack and a shredded chuck with the cob are dishes that you cannot miss. Here we list all the typical food you can try and the typical food restaurants you must visit. Traditional food in Barranquilla

Tours in Barranquilla

Buy your carnival Attire

Related Carnival articles

• Hotels to stay at the Carnival
• Typical food of Barranquilla
• Traditional Barranquilla Restaurants
• Tourist sites in Barranquilla
• What to do in Barranquilla?
• Bars and nightclubs in Barranquilla

Shop on Amazon

Buy on Amazon everything you need for your trip to Colombia. Suitcase, travel organizer, beach stuff, bathing suits, sunblock, personal traveling kit, insect repellent, waist pack, backpack, cap. #sponsor

Amazon Affiliate Disclosure