Updated on 03/22/2024
Dear reader,
I would also like to recommend our Bogota travel guide, which provides a perfect overview of the tourist attractions in Bogota. Enjoy reading it!
Content
Bogotá International Book Festival (FILBo)
FILBo is a cultural fair that takes place every year in Bogotá and brings together reading lovers, writers, editors and visitors from all over the world. For 10 days, Corferias becomes the largest literary epicenter in the country with more than 400 guests and a wide selection of books, magazines and publications. Every year a country of honor is invited to present its literature and culture in a special pavilion. FILBo also offers the opportunity to interact with famous authors and discover the latest literary news.
Location
“Corferias” Convention Center Carrera 37 #24-67, Bogotá, Colombia.
Number of participants
550,000 visitors. However, the number of people varies depending on the host country.
Free admission?
No.
Additional services and cultural activities
- Themed cafes and restaurants
- Conference areas
- Signatures of authors
- Dramatized plays and readings
- Concerts and song evenings
- Artistic presentations
- Discussions
- Areas with special programs for children and young people
- Areas with exhibition spaces and sales of artistic manifestations
- Simultaneous translation rooms into several languages
- Programming of cultural activities (literature and art)
- Independent book fair
- Used Book Fair
- Digital book fair
Why should you visit the Bogotá International Book Fair?
The fair is an opportunity to enrich knowledge and culture with more than 500 authors and 2,000 activities. By visiting and purchasing books, you support the publishing industry and the city’s economic and social development.
Rock to the Park Music Festival
Rock al Parque is a rock and metal music festival held annually over three days in May in Bogotá. This festival brings together thousands of people who enjoy the most famous national and international bands from different subgenres, from classic rock to metal, punk, indie and alternative. Rock al Parque is a cultural tradition for the rock scene in Bogotá and the country. Currently, it is one of the most representative in Latin America.
Location
Simon Bolívar Park, Calle 63 #68-103. Bogota Colombia.
Number of participants
About 250,000 visitors.
Free admission?
Yes, general access to the event is free.
Additional services and cultural activities
- Rock culture walking tour with public places in the city to enjoy live music
- Extreme Zone for enjoying harder genres (Extreme Metal, Core, Punk and Crossover)
- Business area and stands with T-shirts and accessories
- Area with dining rooms
- Workshops to explore the musical diversity of rock and metal
- Literature section with magazines and books about rock culture in Colombia and the world
- Conversations with experts and musicians about rock culture and its development in Colombia
- Area for carrying out social integration activities
- Park landscape
- Digital zone with audiovisual content about the events
Why should you visit Rock al Parque?
This event offers music lovers the opportunity to interact live with more than 100 national and international artists/bands. By taking part, you support rock culture, local talent and the country’s music industry.
Estereo Picnic Music Festival
The Estereo Picnic is a music festival that takes place annually in Bogotá. This event brings together more than 50 national and international artists and lasts four days. It takes place in late March and early April and covers music genres such as rock, reggae, pop, hip-hop, and even electronic music.
The festival is characterized by an excellent atmosphere with light and sound that creates a connection between the artists and the audience. This festival also promotes sustainability and environmental protection. In addition, it is one of the most recognized in Latin America in terms of quality and musical diversity.
Location
Briceño 18 Golf Course in Sopó , Cundinamarca.
Number of participants
Between 85,000 and 120,000 visitors.
Free admission?
No, there is a charge for general admission.
Additional services and cultural activities
- Food zones or “food trucks”
- Relaxation or rest areas such as (hammocks, stools, etc.)
- Interactive games area
- Urban, artistic and landscape art area
- Park landscape
- Art exhibition and interactive activities
- Transport service
- Food fair
- Craft fair
- Ecological fair and environmental protection
- Themed party with various musical, artistic and cultural proposals
- Workshops on music production, photography and recycling incentives
- Acoustic presentations
- Picnic area
- Entrepreneurship is consistent with “merchandising”
Why should you attend the Estéreo Picnic?
It’s an opportunity to enjoy the music and the atmosphere. The festival features a variety of renowned musical artists of various genres and styles to satisfy every taste and preference. Taking part in the festival is a way to support culture, art, entrepreneurship and social responsibility in the country, as this event promotes local talent and creativity, but above all, environmental protection.
Salon de Ocio y Fantasía (SOFA)
This event brings together fans of pop culture, entertainment and fantasy. It provides a space to explore artistic expressions such as comics, video games, cosplay and more, and also hosts numerous interactive activities ranging from music culture to technological innovations. This fair promotes creativity and brings together amateurs and professionals in the same space. With a focus on geek and pop culture, SOFA has become an iconic event in Bogotá’s cultural scene.
Location
“Corferias” Convention Center Carrera 37 #24-67, Bogotá, Colombia.
Number of participants
Approximately between 170,000 and 227,000 participants.
Free admission?
No, there are a number of costs associated with general admission.
Additional services and cultural activities
- Areas of music, merchandising and live performances
- Science and Technology Zone
- Art areas and galleries
- Literature areas with as books, articles and magazines
- Area for film screenings and short films
- Gastronomic areas
- Lego world
- Role and strategy
- Science fiction enclosures
- Comic shops
- Manga stores
- Cosplay competitions
- Special events for geek, alternative and creative culture
- Stands for the sale of products and accessories
Why you should visit Salon del Ocio y la Fantasía
This event highlights the talent of international creators and artists. It offers the opportunity to purchase original products that you cannot find anywhere else in the country. You also have the opportunity to take part in projects with a high social impact.
Bogotá Ibero-American Theater Festival (FITB)
At this event, 100 theater companies from Spain, Latin America and Colombia present their latest theater productions on various stages. For 17 consecutive days in the month of March, FITB brings together classical and contemporary dramaturgy for all audiences with more than 800 performances of theater, dance, music and plays that attract directors, critics and producers of Ibero-American performances.
The festival transforms Bogotá into a living stage, offering a complete cultural experience with shows and presentations throughout the urban environment for all participants.
Location
Simón Bolívar Park, Calle 63 #68-103 Bogotá, Colombia.
Number of participants
Approximately between 250,000 and 300,000 visitors.
Free admission?
No, the first 5 days take place in closed halls and different costs apply depending on the performance. However, for the following 12 days of the festival, you will have free access to theater performances in public places in the city such as parks, shopping centers, etc.
Additional services and cultural activities
- National and international theater works
- Acting workshops
- Fair for literary and theater publications
- Restaurants and cafes (in closed theaters)
- Lectures and discussions
- Experimental theater
- Shadow theater
- Street theater
- Traditional and regional folk dances
- Music and concerts with national and international artists
- Cultural exhibitions and museum tours
- Circus shows
- VIA Business Roundtable on Exporting Colombian Talent
- Cabaret tent with live music and DJs
- Art and photography exhibition
- Accounting functions
- Screening of films
Why should you attend the Bogotá Ibero-American Theater Festival?
With over 800 performances, the festival offers you the opportunity to experience the diversity of the performing arts. In addition, by participating in the festival you have an economic, social and tourism impact on the city.
Bogota Fashion Week
This event brings together the latest fashion trends and gives Bogotá a place on the global stage. Over three consecutive days in May, fashion collections are presented on catwalks, with models wearing everything from innovative accessories to avant-garde styles. Bogotá Fashion Week attracts established and emerging designers of international stature, promotes cultural expression in fashion and is also a source of contacts and networking meetings.
Location
Agora Convention Center, Ac 24# 38-47. Bogota Colombia.
Number of participants
About 15,000 to 20,000 visitors.
Free admission?
No.
Additional services and cultural events
- Conferences and panels
- Live music concerts at the start and end of the event
- Pop-up stores with design suggestions
- Art exhibitions
- “Wholesale” business premises
- Circular Fashion Network program to reduce consumption of natural resources
- Tour of fashionable cultural events in the city
- Consulting firms specializing in fashion, grooming and beauty
- Closing party with dances and parades
- Gastronomic spaces
- Areas for showing films or fashion documentaries
- Experience spaces
- Themed fashion, clothing and accessories stands (showrooms)
Why should you attend Bogotá Fashion Week?
By attending the event you will learn more about fashion and its industry. It offers you a complete cultural experience where you can interact personally with each of the designers and also allows you to learn about Bogotá’s cultural diversity through fashion.
Bogotá Wine and Food Festival
This festival has 100 exhibitors of wine, food and gourmet products. It brings together foodies and wine lovers to enjoy presentations, tastings and gastronomic tests at each of the country’s most renowned restaurants. It runs for five consecutive days in August and explores several culinary themes in each edition, allowing participants to learn about wines from around the world, taste haute cuisine dishes and talk to experts and high-profile chefs.
Location
This festival takes place every year in various locations in the Colombian capital, such as restaurants, hotels, event halls and shopping centers. For this reason, we recommend that you visit the official site so that you can stay informed about the latest news.
Number of participants
Between 10,000 and 20,000 participants.
Free admission?
No, there are a number of costs associated with entry.
Additional services and cultural events
- Musical concerts
- Barbecue evening
- Night of drinks
- Culinary exhibition shows
- International gastronomic forum
- Spaces for conversations
- Culinary practical courses
- Workshops on coffee culture, artisan cheese, bakery, vegan cuisine, chocolate, etc.
- Culinary competitions
- Cinema area with a gastronomic theme
- Market area with agricultural products
- Artisan Food Fair
- “Delivery” and “take-away” services for festival products
- Food Tour (Mexico, Japan, France, Italy, Peru, Colombia)
Why should you attend the Wine and Food Festival?
This festival brings you the best of the country’s gastronomy, food and wine with culinary demonstrations by outstanding chefs to learn new recipes and techniques. In addition, you can experience regional culture and traditions, receive direct information from producers and support local gastronomy tourism through international recognition.
Masterclass Bogota International Photography Festival
This event brings together local and international photography professionals, offers workshops and exhibitions, is an outstanding training event in the photography industry for amateurs and also serves as a platform to showcase the country’s photography culture. Here participants come together to experiment with the latest technology in photography and video.
Held over two consecutive days every August, it promotes innovation in image, photography, video and technology culture in general, bringing together more than 750 high-profile photographers.
Location
El Cubo Colsubsidio, Avenida Carrera 30 #52-77, Bogota, Colombia.
Number of participants
Approximately 3,000 to 4,000 participants.
Free admission?
No, there are a number of costs associated with general admission.
Additional services and cultural activities
- Conferences and lectures on photo culture
- Photo development and enlargement service
- Photography courses and workshops with renowned teachers
- Workshops or practice workshops with professionals
- Exhibitions
- Fair with thematic trade stands
- Photo party or final meeting between invited participants with activities
- Portfolio review
- Cultural photography podcasts
- Musical concerts
- Networking areas
- Charity auctions
- Creative labs
- Image editing and post-production room
- Cinema forum rooms
- Café, restaurant and rest area
Why should you attend the photography masterclass festival in Bogotá?
It is an opportunity to learn about the work of leading international photographers, discover trends and high-tech equipment and make valuable professional contacts. They also support emerging Colombian photographers and enrich the photography scene in Latin America and Colombia as a leading event of its kind in the entire region.
Expoartesanías Bogotá Fair
It is an annual fair that showcases Colombian handicrafts and handicrafts from other countries, reflecting traditional and cultural elements. Held for 14 consecutive days in July, this event also features a variety of everyday products such as clothing, jewelry, accessories and much more. With the participation of 32 departments and 750 exhibitors, this fair highlights handicrafts made from textiles, ceramics, wood, leather and other traditional materials and promotes economic and cultural development. Currently, Expoartesanías is a South American reference point and meeting point for many international buyers.
Location
Corferias Convention Center, Carrera 37 #24-67, Bogotá, Colombia.
Number of participants
Approximately 64,300 participants.
Free admission?
No, general admission is chargeable.
Additional services and cultural activities
- Craft businesses
- Selection of regional dances and music
- Representations of traditional carnivals
- Exhibition of traditional tasks
- Fashion shows and artisanal design
- Children’s area
- Bookstore and library for traditional local crafts
- Gastronomic area of different regions of Colombia
- National craft competition
- Business meeting area
- Personalized interactive outdoor activities
Why should you visit the Expoartesanias trade fair in Bogotá?
At this event, you’ll explore Colombian culture while supporting local artisans, discovering unique products, and experiencing art culture through collectibles made using ancient techniques.
Bogota Summer Festival
It is the annual celebration of Bogotá’s birthday, where a huge “cultural” party takes place; The city dresses up as a festival for 11 consecutive days in August. It is officially the largest free festival in Latin America, hosting around 100 cultural activities such as sports, games, music, gastronomy and countless leisure events where culture takes over the city and participants can fully immerse themselves in the local culture.
Location
Headquarters – Parque Simón Bolívar, Calle 63 #68-103, Bogotá, Colombia. However, this festival also takes place in many other places in the city.
Number of participants
Approximately 3,000,000 visitors.
Free admission?
Entry to the festival is free.
Additional services and cultural activities
Below you can see just some of the events the festival offers:
- Circus acrobatic performances
- Grand Prix (athletics races)
- Observing the night sky of Bogotá
- Film festivals
- Literature fairs
- Route on ecological paths
- Water challenges
- folk dances
- Theater festivals in the city’s streets, neighborhoods, venues and theaters
- Gastronomic festivals
- Live music concerts
- Sports tournaments in martial arts, football, tennis, etc.
- Lectures, seminars and cultural workshops
- Stalls with handicrafts and themed objects such as souvenirs
Why should you attend the Bogotá Summer Festival?
You support sustainability and environmental protection at the first Carbon Neutral Festival and thus contribute to the revitalization of Bogotá. The summer festival goes beyond cultural activities, it offers complete cultural immersion.
Opera at the Park Festival
Since 1998, the Ópera al Parque Festival, supported by the Bogotá Philharmonic Orchestra, has celebrated opera and lyric singing in the city every November for about five consecutive days. It offers performances of high artistic quality and promotes training and social inclusion activities, presenting more than 100 opera, zarzuela and operetta works with more than 2,000 national and international artists.
Location
The festival takes place every year in various locations around the city (theaters, parks, cinemas and libraries). We therefore recommend that you consult the official website to stay updated with news.
Number of participants
About 10,000 visitors.
Free admission?
Yes, entry to the festival is free, so there are no additional costs, but prior registration is required.
Additional services and cultural activities
- Podcast “Opera by Ear”
- Symphonic concerts
- Opera competitions
- Historical exhibition of the opera
- Record, vinyl and sheet music fair
- Interactive workshops with instruments
- Conferences and lectures
- Virtual and in-person concert
- Lyric Gala with the Youth Philharmonic
- Exclusive rooms with workshops for deaf and hearing people
- Literary picnic
- Cultural exhibition area
- Specialist bookstore
- Fair
Why should you visit the Ópera al Parque Festival?
The festival offers the opportunity to enjoy a genre that combines human voice, orchestral music and theater. You can enjoy high-quality shows while taking part in cultural activities that promote social integration and inspire new cultural appreciation.
Jazz at the Park
This three-day festival in September promotes and spreads jazz to the local public through high-quality music concerts. Social inclusion and awareness-raising activities are carried out. Jazz al Parque is very popular for its presentations, in which around 20 local and international guest artists or groups participate both physically and virtually on live stages, where jazz stands out as the main element. These artists also create other fusions of it, mixing jazz with other genres of music.
Location
Every year the festival takes place in one of these 5 locations:
- Simon Bolivar Park
- Parque Nacional
- Parque de la Independencia
- Parque el Country
- Parque el Renacimiento
Number of participants
About 40,000 visitors.
Free admission?
Yes, entry to the festival is free for visitors.
Additional services and cultural activities
- Food and drink points
- parking spot
- Merchandise and collectors stands
- Gala and presentation of invited jazz groups
- Academic activities such as lectures and workshops with special guests of international standing
- Literature areas for all age groups
- Local businesses and craftsmen stands
- Children’s area
- Exchange point for music collections such as CDs, records or collections
- Allusive photo galleries about the history and development of jazz
- Film screenings in the park and documentaries on the topic of “jazz”
- Human statues depicting historical jazz artists
Why should you attend the Jazz at the Park Festival?
Beyond the concerts, attending this festival allows you to explore Simón Bolívar Park and its surroundings, where you can feel culture everywhere. It will be an experience related to this musical genre and its important presence in the Bogotá art scene.
Bogota Film Festival
This festival promotes Ibero-American cinema and new filmmakers. Each year a guest country of honor is honored through a program of cultural activities. This film festival awards the Círculo Precolombino Prize to the best films and their directors. Submissions usually come from around 72 countries with more than 2,000 films.
The festival, which lasts six consecutive days and takes place every October, is organized by the International Film Corporation and supported by public and private entities and is a Latin American benchmark in its field.
Location
Jorge Eliecer Gaitán Theater. Cra 7 #22-47, Santa Fe. Bogota Colombia.
Number of participants
About 20,000 visitors.
Free admission?
No.
Additional services and cultural activities
- Short films and film screenings
- Cultural documentaries
- Theater adaptations
- Animation competitions
- Cinema for children
- Live concerts with soundtracks
- National and world film heritage
- Activities related to industry creation
- Development of related arts for moving images
- Areas for business meetings within the industry
- Courses and workshops with academic spaces
- Local, regional and guest country dining areas
- Exhibition of visual art with a cinematic theme and its artists
- Virtual reality zones
- Autograph sessions and conversations with the actors of the films
Why should you attend the Bogotá Film Festival?
You can appreciate films of different genres and styles, meet renowned film stars, participate in academic and artistic activities, and support Colombian cinema while exploring the cultural cinema of other countries.
Tattoo Music Fest Bogota
Since 2015, this event has brought together tattoo art, music and urban culture through live shows and interactive workshops. The Tattoo Music Fest, which usually takes place in May and lasts three days in a row, celebrates the art of tattooing as a form of cultural expression and provides a space to explore the capital’s urban culture. It is an important meeting point where more than 300 national and international tattoo artists take part in demonstrating their skills and style in a series of competitions.
Location
Centro de Eventos Autopista Norte Km 19, via Bogotá – Chía.
Free admission?
No.
Additional services and cultural activities
- Live shows from bands and different genres (rock punk, metal, etc.)
- Exhibitions on “skateboarding”, “graffiti”, “body painting” and other forms of expression
- Workshops, conferences and lectures on tattooing
- Contests and sweepstakes
- Stands and showcases from local businesses
- Quiet area
- Private transportation services to get to the venue
- Entertainment and fun area
- Photo exhibitions
- Lectures and presentations on the history of tattooing
- Live piercing and body modification show
- Tattoo stalls to get new tattoos
- Performances and body art shows
- Gastronomic fair for street food and “foot trucks”
- Performance in urban dance styles such as “breakdance”
Why should you attend the Tattoo Music Fest in Bogotá?
You can learn to appreciate the art of tattooing, enjoy live performances, see and interact with the tattoo scene’s most popular artists, get inspired and learn about the history and every technique of traditional and modern tattoo art , purchase merchandise and much more. This way you support local entrepreneurship.
Campus Party Bogotá
Campus Party Bogotá is a technology and innovation event for five consecutive days during the months of July and November that brings together lovers and experts in the fields of technology, science and entrepreneurship. In lectures, workshops and exhibitions, participants explore areas such as artificial intelligence, programming and digital creativity.
The event promotes learning and creating solutions that renew the energy environment 24/7. It is a space for knowledge exchange and the further development of technology culture in the city and the country. In addition, participants can use campsites where they can spend up to four nights during the event.
Location
Corferias Convention Center, Carrera 37 #24-67, Bogotá, Colombia.
Number of participants
Approximately 50,000 – 60,000 visitors.
Free admission?
No, there are a number of costs associated with general admission.
Additional services and cultural activities
- Camping and lounge area
- “Coworking” and “Networking” areas
- Interactive exhibitions
- Development and solution of entrepreneurial challenges
- Programming marathons
- Design and animation practice workshops
- Conferences, lectures, courses and workshops from experts and teachers
- Interviews with experts
- Additional predetermined agenda for cultural activities
- Interactive web platforms
- Greenwork (environmental protection through ICT)
- Awards for the best projects
- Labs for developing creativity and solving cultural innovation challenges 24/7
- Coffee and restaurant area
- Private transport service
Why should you attend the Bogotá Campus Party?
This experience expands skills and promotes the development of solutions to current challenges. You meet renowned experts and at the same time make contacts with specialists. In this way, you contribute to the development of the technology sector at local and national levels.
Bogota Sportsfest Fair
Bogota Sportsfest is an annual event that takes place over three days in November. This event brings together exhibitors, fitness professionals and fans to explore the latest trends in health, sports technology, nutrition and fitness. In addition to a number of events and services related to sports culture, it is a very important meeting place for the fitness community every year.
Location
Corferias Convention Center at Carrera 37 #24-67, Bogotá, Colombia.
Number of participants
About 19,000 visitors.
Free admission?
No, general admission is chargeable.
Additional services and cultural activities
- Area with sports shops and outlets
- Concerts and musical performances
- Courses and demonstrations of various sports
- Championships and tournaments for amateurs
- Water exhibitions and water sports
- International and local gastronomy
- Rental and sale of sports equipment
- Health, beauty and well-being through conferences
- Sports employment fair and job opportunities
- Brand presentation and product launch
- Activities related to sports culture
- Personalized training service
- Conferences, seminars, coaching and lectures from professionals
Why should you attend the Bogotá Sportsfest?
This event offers knowledge, interaction with experts, sports innovations and connections to the fitness community. It is an opportunity to learn about sports trends, appreciate local creations and, above all, improve personal health.
Cafes de Colombia Expo
This event takes place in the month of October for 4 days. It is the most important coffee event in the country, bringing together around 500 exhibitors, including the main producers, roasters, grain marketers, experts in quality processes, end consumers, as well as presenting the most modern machines and equipment.
In addition, this exhibition is considered the largest coffee industry trade fair in Latin America and is a showcase to show the world the richness and diversity of Colombian coffee, as it showcases the new trends and innovations of the national and international coffee industry.
Location
Corferias Convention Center at Carrera 37 #24-67, Bogotá, Colombia.
Number of participants
About 20,000 visitors.
Free admission?
No, general admission to this event is chargeable.
Additional services and cultural activities
- Lectures on the history and diversity of Colombian coffee
- Practical workshops on coffee preparation, cupping and pairing
- Barista and taster championships
- Tastings of different grains from different regions of Colombia
- Artistic and photographic exhibitions
- Musical concerts with local artists
- Gastronomic festivals
- Traditional Colombian games area including trompo, yo-yo, rana and Parcheesi
- Craft fair with coffee-themed products
- Coffee Processing Equipment Exhibition and Conference
Why should you attend the Cafés de Colombia Expo?
In addition to the opportunity to taste different types of coffee, this event also offers you the opportunity to familiarize yourself with the challenges of the industry and understand its economic and cultural importance for Colombia.
More about events and celebrations in Colombia
- Colombia’s 45 Best & Biggest Festivals in Detail
- How Holy Week is Celebrated in Colombia: Unmissable Traditions and Places
- Holidays in Colombia: Guide to Holidays and Long Weekend Breaks in Colombia
- 9 Unmissable Cultural Events You Must Experience in Barranquilla
- 13 Unmissable Cultural Events in the Coffee Region
- The 13 Most Popular Cultural Events in Cali
- The 9 Most Popular Cultural Events in Santa Marta
- The 9 Most Popular Cultural Events in Cartagena
- The 13 Most Popular Cultural Events in Medellin
- The 17 Most Popular Events in Bogota
- Colombia Film Culture: 8 Festivals, 7 Movies to See
- Top 16 Most Important Music Festivals in Colombia
- Gastronomic Festivals in Colombia: 6 Not to be Missed Plans
- Understand Colombia’s Nightlife: Party Like Never Before
- Unforgettable NYE in Colombia: 15 Vibrant Traditions Revealed!
- The 12 Most Celebrated Christmas Traditions in Colombia
