On November 11, 1811, Cartagena declared itself fully independent from Spain, the first city in what is now Colombia to do so. Every November the city remembers it with its biggest street festival: drums, masked dancers, parades, champeta pumping from every corner and a week in which the walled city belongs to the people who live outside the walls.
When are the festivities in 2026?#
The anniversary is Wednesday, November 11, 2026. Under Colombia's holiday law, the national day off moves to Monday, November 16, so the city celebrates over the days around both. The city publishes the programme of parades and events each year.
What happens#
- The parades. Drummers, dancers in costumes and masks, floats from the neighbourhoods, moving through the city.
- The music. Champeta, cumbia and Caribbean rhythms in the streets and the neighbourhoods, often until morning.
- The beauty pageant. The national beauty pageant is held in Cartagena in the same days, which brings parades of its own and a lot of visitors.
- The buscapiés, foam and cornstarch. Firecrackers thrown at your feet, and people spraying foam and throwing cornstarch. It's part of the fun, and nobody is spared.
How to enjoy it#
- Wear old clothes and protect your eyes from foam and cornstarch.
- Book your room early. It's one of the busiest weeks of the year.
- Go beyond the old town. The neighbourhood celebrations are where the city really is.
- Carry little in the crowds, and use registered taxis or ride apps at night.
| Anniversary | Wed, Nov 11, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Public holiday | Mon, Nov 16, 2026 |
| Expect | Parades, drums, champeta, foam and firecrackers |
| Wear | Old clothes |
More about the city: Cartagena travel guide, things to do in Cartagena and is Cartagena safe. Where the locals eat: where do locals eat in Cartagena.
Celebrate it with someone from Cartagena#
The best of the festivities happens in the neighbourhoods, and the way in is someone who grew up there. Local Friends in Cartagena are locals you message directly on Roavi. How to meet locals in Cartagena. More about the city: the Cartagena city guide.
Celebrate November 11 with someone from Cartagena.
Meet Local Friends in CartagenaEvery big festival and holiday worldwide, month by month, with the dates: the Roavi world events calendar.
Still weighing the safety question? Is Colombia safe covers what locals actually say, city by city.
Frequently Asked Questions
When are the Cartagena independence festivities in 2026?
Around November 11, 2026, the anniversary of the city's independence in 1811. In Colombia the public holiday moves to Monday, November 16, 2026, so celebrations run across the days around both dates. The city publishes the programme each year.What happens during the festivities?
Parades with drummers, masked dancers and floats; champeta, cumbia and street parties in the neighbourhoods; and the national beauty pageant, which is held in Cartagena around the same days.Is it safe to go?
Yes, with the usual care in crowds: carry little, keep your phone close, and stay with people you know at night. Firecrackers and foam are part of it, so protect your eyes and wear old clothes.Is the holiday on November 11?
The anniversary is November 11, but under Colombia's holiday law the day off moves to the following Monday, November 16, 2026. In Cartagena both the 11th and the long weekend are celebrated.