Every year in Valledupar, Colombia, one of the country’s most iconic festivals takes place: the Vallenato Legend Festival. This year marks the event’s 58th edition which will be held from April 30 to May 3, gathering thousands of visitors who come to pay tribute to traditional vallenato music and experience one of the most important cultural celebrations in Colombia.
This year, the festival will honor the late composer and accordionist Omar Geles, who left an indelible mark on the history of vallenato. Geles was the author of great hits such as “Los caminos de la Vida”, performed by Los Diablitos, and “Tarde lo Conocí”, immortalized by Patricia Teheran, among many other songs that are part of the country’s musical heart.
Highlighted activities of the Vallenato Legend Festival
The festival aims to preserve and promote the four traditional rhythms of vallenato: paseo, merengue, son, and puya. It also celebrates oral tradition, campesino poetry, stories, and legends that form part of the vallenato soul. Some of the most important activities include:
Vallenato King Contest
@fesvallenato Rey Vallenato 2024 #FestivalVallenato ♬ sonido original – Fesvallenato
One of the central events of the festival is the competition for the Vallenato King title, where professional accordionists showcase their skills by interpreting the four traditional rhythms. The competition takes place in elimination rounds, semifinals, and a grand final. In the final stage, contestants must perform a song selected by lottery from the composer being honored, and also sing at least one of the pieces they perform.
Unreleased Songs Contest
This contest encourages the creation of new vallenato works, keeping the essence of the genre alive. The songs must be completely original, both in lyrics and melody, and should not have been presented before. They are judged in categories such as traditional song and commercial song, with evaluations on the quality of the lyrics, interpretation, melody, and their connection to the spirit of vallenato.
Vallenato Piquerias
@vallenatoyalgomas CONOZCAN LO QUE ES UNA PIQUERIA VALLENATA. #vallenato #musicavallenata #piqueriavallenata #ivanzuleta ♬ sonido original – vallenatoyalgomas
One of the most exciting traditions of the festival is the piquerias, verbal duels between singers or improvisers who create verses to the rhythm of the accordion. Using quatrains or decimas, participants engage in battles of wit, creativity, and mental agility, in the best style of the troubadours of Colombia’s Caribbean region.
Concerts
During the four days of the festival, multiple concerts and live performances take place. In this 2025 edition, one of the most anticipated international artists is Chayanne, who will perform on the main stage alongside well-known vallenato artists.
What else to do in Valledupar?
In addition to enjoying the festival, Valledupar offers a variety of tourist and cultural activities:
Explore the Vallenato Route, visiting iconic locations such as Plaza Alfonso López, the Sirena del Guatapurí sculpture, and the Vallenato Legend Park.
Swim in the Guatapurí River, one of the favorite activities for locals and visitors to cool off under the vallenato heat.
Visit museums like the Beto Murgas House Museum, dedicated to the history of the accordion and the legacy of vallenato balladeers.
Enjoy local cuisine, with typical dishes such as sancocho trifásico, cheese arepas, and fried pork belly, paired with corozo juice or a cold beer.
Shop for handicrafts at local markets, where you can find Arhuaca mochilas, Vueltiao hats, and pieces made by indigenous and rural communities from the region.
@fesvallenato Festival Vallenato 2025