Ibague, Colombia, is preparing to host the Ibague Ciudad Musical Festival 2025, which will take place from September 4 to 7. This sixth edition, now held annually as a meeting point for music, culture, gastronomy, and education, has become one of the most important events in Colombia’s artistic calendar.
Under the artistic direction of renowned Colombian producer Julio Reyes Copello, winner of 14 Grammy and Latin Grammy Awards, the festival seeks to showcase local talent on global stages and attract both national and international audiences to the region’s rich musical tradition. As Reyes Copello explains, his goal is not just to direct a festival but to “plant seeds, open doors, carry Ibagué’s voice to the world, and bring opportunities from the world to Colombia.”
One of this year’s highlights is the new gastronomic space “A 4 Manos” (Four Hands), an experience that blends music with haute cuisine. This concept, led by Tolima-born chef Juan Felipe Camacho, who has extensive international experience, will feature special dinners at iconic restaurants in the city. Each dish will be inspired by the sounds of the festival and local products, creating a sensory experience that shows music can be both heard and tasted. This fusion of gastronomy and art makes “A 4 Manos” a unique attraction, reinforcing Ibagué’s identity as a complete cultural destination.
Highlights of the Ibague Festival 2025
The 2025 edition features a rich and diverse program that includes concerts, workshops, exhibitions, talks, and culinary experiences:
September 4 – 7:00 p.m. – Opening concert with pianist Jiana Peng and the Conservatory of Tolima Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Carlos López. Venue: Conservatory of Tolima. Free admission.
September 5 – 7:00 p.m. – Concert with Jorge Mejia, Samuel Torres, and the Nueva Filarmonía Orchestra, conducted by Ricardo Jaramillo. Venue: Conservatory of Tolima. Free admission.
September 6 – 7:00 p.m. – Art House Concert with Annasofia, Jules, RIZA, Maura Nava, Mari Segura, and Paola Guanche. Venue: Teatro Tolima. Free admission.
September 7 – 11:00 a.m. – Art House Concert by artists from the Art House Experience program. Venue: Conservatory of Tolima. Free admission.
September 7 – 7:00 p.m. – Conversation-concert with Pablo Alborán and the Conservatory of Tolima Symphony Orchestra (conductor: Sergio Andrés Sánchez). Venue: Teatro Tolima
September 7 – 7:00 p.m. – Tribute Concert: Hermès Quartet (France) performing the premiere of “Señora del Paisaje – Rapsodia” (by César Augusto Zambrano), conducted by Germán Gutiérrez with musicians from the diaspora. Venue: Teatro Tolima.
September 8 – 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. – Concert with Cuarteto León Cardona and Tres Palos Ensamble. Venue: Conservatory of Tolima.
September 8 – 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. – Performance by Eleni Katz & Evren Ozel (USA), Cuarteto Cumbre, and La Música de Abril. Venue: Conservatory of Ibague.
September 8 – 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. – Silent cinema with live music: musical shorts and works by Charles Chaplin, performed by local and international artists. Venue: Teatro Tolima.
Power Talks
September 5 – 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. – “Intuition and Magnetism: Experiences to Captivate Audiences,” University of Tolima.
September 6 – 3:00 p.m. – “Introduction to the History of the Music Industry,” University of Tolima.
September 6 – 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. – Panel: “Music Business: Myths, Lies, and the Future of the Music Industry,” University of Tolima.
September 7 – 2:30 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. – “Audiovisual Conservation and Music Creation,” Panoptico de Ibague.
September 7 – 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. – “Jazz as a Universal and Local Practice: From New Orleans to Ibague,” Panóptico de Ibague.
The Art House Experience
September 4 – 6: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m., and September 7: 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. – Intensive academic sessions at the Conservatory of Tolima, including chamber music classes with Hermès Quartet and jazz ensembles with The New Orleans Jazz Vipers.
“A 4 Manos” Dinners
September 4 – 9:00 p.m. at Restaurante La Capilla: Host Chef Juan Felipe Camacho and resident chef Alfredo Sibaja. Price: $50 USD.
September 5 – 9:00 p.m. at Hotel FR (Nativo Restaurant): Host Chef Juan Felipe Camacho, resident chef Juan José, and guest chef Jaime Torregrosa (Humo Negro). Price: $50 USD.
September 6 – 9:00 p.m. at Club Campestre: Host Chef Juan Felipe Camacho, resident chef Alejandro Pinzón, and guest chef Pedro Mosqueda (Blue Apple Beach), with live music. Price: $75 USD.
Cultural and economic impact
The Ibague Festival 2025 is not only a high-level artistic event but also a driver of transformation for the city. Each edition attracts thousands of national and international visitors, boosting tourism, hospitality, transportation, and the local culinary scene. Restaurants, hotels, and small businesses benefit significantly from the influx of diverse audiences, strengthening Ibague’s profile as a vibrant cultural destination.
Moreover, the festival reinforces the identity of the Tolima capital as “Colombia’s Musical City,” contributing to its international recognition and consolidating a city brand rooted in creativity and culture. Thus, more than just an event, the festival has become a strategic platform to stimulate the local economy and position Ibague as a cultural and tourism hub in both Colombia and the world.