Riosucio, Caldas, celebrates one of Colombia’s most iconic festivities: the Carnival of the Devil. This year’s edition began last Friday, January 3, and will run through Wednesday, January 8, offering locals and tourists a diverse program that blends tradition, culture and entertainment.
The Carnival of the Devil, celebrated in odd-numbered years, centers around the Devil, and has been held since 1915. Over seven days of festivities, attendees enjoy parades, street parties, dances, parades and unique events like the famous Burning of the Devil.
Origins of the Carnival of the Devil
The Carnival of the Devil in Riosucio dates back to 1911, when two neighboring villages, Quiebralomo and La Montaña, resolved a conflict with the help of two priests who promoted a joint celebration as a symbol of reconciliation. This festivity became a space for unity, joy, and collective satire, later developing into the carnival that it is today.
Although the Devil is often associated with negativity, in this context, it represents joy, togetherness and catharsis. The burning of an effigy of the devil at the end of the festivities symbolizes the release of accumulated tensions and the renewal of community spirit.
The celebration begins with the “Pregon,” a proclamation inviting everyone to participate. To conclude the event, the “Testament of the Devil” – a humorous text narrating the carnival’s highlights – is read, followed by the symbolic Burning of the Devil.
Featured program: final two Days of the Carnival of the Devil 2025
Tuesday, January 7
12:00 pm – Street party.
2:30 pm – Performance by Hernán Hernández (Main Stage, Plaza de La Candelaria) and Orquesta La Típica RA7 (Main Stage, Plaza de San Sebastian).
5:00 pm – Third “Alborada” (dawn celebration).
2:00 pm – Parade and horseback procession to the Arenas del Ingruma Bullring.
3:00 pm – Second grand popular bullfight (Arenas del Ingruma).
7:00 pm – Costume Parade.
8:00 pm – Tribute to Costume Creators (Plaza de San Sebastian).
9 :00 pm– Performances:Los Cuyos de America (Plaza de La Candelaria) and Rocnid Tango (Plaza de San Sebastián).
11:00 pm – Performances: Viejitos Pero Sabrosos (Plaza de La Candelaria) and Los Romanticos Iracundos (Plaza de San Sebastian).
Wednesday, January 8
12:30 am – Street party.
2:30 am – Performances: Los Alegres Parranderos (Plaza de La Candelaria) and Grupo Anonimo (Plaza de San Sebastián).
5:00 am – Fourth “Alborada” (dawn celebration).
10:00 am – Parade and Guarapo tasting.
11:00 am – Guarapo consecration and tasting.
2:00 pm – Grand Parade and horseback procession to the Arenas del Ingruma Bullring.
3:00 pm – Final grand bullfight (Arenas del Ingruma) and Chirimia Ensemble Performance (Plaza de San Sebastian).
7:00 pm – Vientos de los Andes performance (Plaza de La Candelaria).
8:00 pm – Son de Ayer performance (Plaza de La Candelaria).
10:00 pm – Parade and Burial of the Calabazo.
11:30 pm – Reading of the Devil’s Testament, where the character expresses gratitude, bequeaths his legacy, and bids farewell until the next edition.
12:00 am – Burning of the Devil.