Colombia marks the beginning of the Barranquilla Carnival 2026 with one of its most emblematic and eagerly awaited events: the Night of Guacherna, which takes place this Friday, February 6, as tradition dictates, on the Friday before the official start of the carnival festivities.
This nightime parade serves as a grand prelude to carnival. La Guacherna is known for its family-friendly atmosphere, dazzling lights, and the energy of folkloric groups that move through the streets to the rhythm of drums, gaitas, and traditional Caribbean music.
La Guacherna: A Barranquilla carnival tradition born from the people
The Night of Guacherna has origins deeply tied to Barranquilla’s identity. It was revived and formally organized in the 1970s by renowned singer and cultural promoter Esthercita Forero, known as “The Bride of Barranquilla.” Inspired by spontaneous neighborhood celebrations, Forero promoted this parade as a space where the community could freely express itself before the major carnival events.
In its early days, the Guacherna was a procession lit by handmade lanterns, accompanied by drums, flutes, and traditional songs. Today, it preserves that essence, though with greater organization and participation from folkloric groups, comparsas, cumbiamba troupes, collective costumes, and thousands of spectators who join the celebration from the sidewalks.
The word guacherna refers to those popular nighttime gatherings where music and dance spontaneously filled the streets. For this reason, more than just a parade, the event is considered a living expression of the city’s neighborhood spirit and festive identity. The celebration had global recognition last year as Shakira herself participated, incognito, to the event.
Costumes that light up the night
The Guacherna Esthercita Forero stands out for its emblematic costumes that, under the glow of lanterns and lights, fill the streets with color.
Among the most recognizable are the Marimondas, with their long-nosed masks, large ears, and vibrant outfits; the Torito, which represents the struggle between man and bull to the rhythm of tambora music; and the Congo, rooted in African heritage, featuring bright colors and energetic movements.
Also parading are the Garabato groups, whose costumes symbolize the struggle between life and death.
The traditional Negritas Puloy, wearing red dresses with white polka dots inspired by 1960s Caribbean fashion.
@sharonacosta2213 ¡Besos de puloy para todos mis carnavaleros! 💋 Hoy en la #FiestaDeComparsas ♬ sonido original – SHARON ACOSTA
These are joined by fantasy costumes, modern creations with lights and sequins that shine especially during the nighttime parade.
@soyandyricardo Marcela Garcia en #Guacherna aguila dorada #carnavaldebarranquilla #carnaval #barranquilla #fyi #costeño ♬ sonido original – SoyAndyRicardo
One of the most beloved characters is “La Loca,” a costume that emerged in the late 1980s thanks to Barranquilla native Ninfa Barros. Lacking resources for an elaborate outfit, she improvised with borrowed and old clothing, creating an irreverent character that evolved from causing surprise to becoming a carnival icon. She participated for 18 years with this costume, now a symbol of popular creativity, humor, and freedom of expression.
@char.michelle Cuenta la leyenda que nuestro Carnaval tenía una loca que atemorizaba a todos con su demencia, y aunque desde 2004 no se le ve en la Fiesta, tuve la oportunidad de encontrarme frente a frente con ella. Este es un homenaje para Ninfa Barrios, quien aunque hoy se disfraza de Viejita, cumpliendo una promesa de fe que la alejó de su disfraz mas icónico; hoy sigue guardando en su corazón y recuerdos la locura del personaje que la hizo inmortal.