In a small Colombian town, an unusual celebration takes place: the Festival of the Single. This tradition has been alive for more than 50 years in Chaguani, Cundinamarca, located less than four hours from Bogota. Every year, for three days between late May and early June, everyone in Chaguani regardless of their actual marital status—is officially declared single by municipal decree. This festive and community-oriented event has become a much-anticipated opportunity for togetherness, encounters, and carefree fun, where hearts open and formal barriers fade away.
Origins of the Festival of the Single in Colombia’s land of cupid
It all began in 1972, when a group of young people from Chaguani gathered during a religious festivity and, with deep faith and hope, prayed to the Virgin Mary for help in finding a partner. The rosary became the symbol of their shared desire to discover love. Over time, this spiritual gesture gained strength and tradition, until the Chaguaní Town Hall made it official through Municipal Decree ME109CITO. This decree establishes that, for three days each year, all residents and visitors are symbolically single, regardless of their real marital status.
What began as a collective expression of sentimental longing eventually turned into a cultural event with strong community roots. It fosters social interaction, offers a break from routine, and celebrates emotional freedom: the chance to explore new connections without pressure, to find dance partners, companions for laughter, or simply someone to share special moments with. This conviction and transformation are what give the festival its unique and endearing identity.
@jorge.alexander.329 fiestas del soltero chaguani Cundinamarca #carnaval #colombia #musica ♬ Checarnaval: La Rama del Tamarindo / La Danza del Garabato / De Que Me Disfrazaré – Checo Acosta
Highlights of the three-day celebration
The Festival of the Single turns Chaguani into a vibrant stage of music, parades, and tradition. For three days, the town dresses in festivity with colorful parades, allegorical floats, and horseback processions. Cultural performances by local groups and invited delegations are combined with contests, food fairs, and craft exhibitions, creating an atmosphere that blends the traditional with the celebratory.
Music is another cornerstone of the event. Renowned national and international orchestras, along with local ensembles, light up the nights with tropical, popular, and dance rhythms that keep both locals and visitors on their feet. Fashion shows, artistic performances, and the reading of the municipal decree officially declaring everyone symbolically single add to the excitement, with this latter moment being one of the most eagerly awaited of the festivities. The celebration reaches its climax with the Carnival of Singleness, an explosion of joy that sweeps through the town’s main streets, transforming every corner into a stage for togetherness and delight.
@laura_ariasg Una fin de semana para recordar✨ #festivaldelsoltero #wakawaka #chaguanitierradecupido #friends #shakira #tendencia ♬ sonido original – Laura Arias