Cartagena de Indias is getting ready to celebrate one of the most anticipated events of the year: the 2025 Independence Festivities, which will take place from November 1 to 17, with official civic holidays on November 11, 13, and 14, according to Decree 2151 of 2025. This commemoration marks the 214th anniversary of Cartagena’s independence, proclaimed on November 11, 1811, a historic milestone that made the city the first in Colombia to break free from Spanish rule.
Cartagena celebrates its Independence Festivities: a tradition that honors Afro-Caribbean history and identity
More than just a festive event, the Independence Festivities pay tribute to Afro-Caribbean identity, popular resistance, and Cartagena’s enduring pride. For over two weeks, the walled city comes alive with parades, dances, music, floats, and cultural activities that connect the past with the present. Every parade, every drum, and every queen embodies the spirit of a people celebrating their freedom and diversity.
Featured events
The official program of the 2025 Independence Festivities includes more than twenty cultural, artistic, and traditional events held across the city.
November 1–10: The preludes take place — neighborhood celebrations that precede the main events. These preludes are the popular heart of the festivities, as each community organizes its own music, dance, gastronomy, and cultural activities that reflect local identity. The community queens also take part, showcasing their leadership and social commitment. The preludes embody the essence of the festival: citizen participation, tradition, and collective memory.
November 11 – Independence Day: The central day of the commemoration begins with official ceremonies, civic parades, and folk performances honoring the heroes of 1811. In the afternoon, the traditional Independence Parade will take place, featuring dance troupes, musical groups, and the candidates of the Reinado de Independencia (Independence Pageant).
November 13 – Desfile del Bando (Proclamation Parade): One of the most anticipated events, this parade will fill Cartagena’s streets with joy and color. This year, it will feature a special highlight: the candidates of the National Beauty Pageant (CNB) will parade on festive floats alongside the community queens, creating a symbolic encounter between traditional and popular beauty. The parade will follow Avenida Santander to the Historic Center, with the participation of local artists, dance troupes, and folkloric groups.
@ellente.dejuan Así se vivió el desfile del Bando en Cartagena. #cartagena #reinado #carrozas #desfile #reina #reinas #cartagenadeindias🇨🇴 #reinadosdebelleza #fiestascartagena ♬ sonido original – ⚜️🎰FRASES AFRO🎰⚜️
November 14: The Great Night of Drums and Cumbia will take place in Plaza de la Aduana, showcasing performances by renowned local musicians.
November 16 – National Beauty Pageant Coronation Gala: The elegant Hotel Las Américas will host the Miss Colombia 2025 Coronation Night, a nationally and internationally renowned event that brings together media, celebrities, and tourists.
November 17 – Independence Pageant Coronation: The grand finale of the festivities will be the crowning of the 2025 Queen of Independence, in a night filled with emotion, culture, and community pride.
The Independence Pageant: tradition and community leadership
@eluniversalcartagena Cartagena tiene Reina de la Independencia 2024 – 2025. "Este triunfo no es para mí sino para mí familia y mi barrio. Mi misión es visibilizar mi sector "Isla Belén", fueron las primeras palabras de Ximena Silva tras ser coronada como la nueva Reina de la Independencia 2024-2025.
Unlike the National Beauty Pageant, the Reinado de Independencia carries a profound cultural and social meaning. This contest goes beyond physical beauty, recognizing female leadership, neighborhood identity, and social commitment.
The 39 contestants represent the neighborhoods and districts of Cartagena, chosen by their own communities. Throughout the festivities, these queens act as spokespersons for their territories, promoting social, environmental, and cultural projects. The winner not only receives a crown but also the honor of becoming an ambassador of Cartagena’s culture for an entire year.
This pageant stands as a symbol of female empowerment and local pride. Its coronation on November 17 marks the unity of the people, the continuity of traditions, and the reaffirmation of Cartagena’s popular identity.