Colombia is preparing to celebrate, from Dec. 25 to 30, 2025, a new edition of its most emblematic cultural event: The Cali Fair, which this year reaches its 68th edition under the slogan “Feria pa’ todos” (“A Fair for Everyone”). With a renewed and more decentralized model, the celebration aims to reach every corner of the city through more than 60 free events, traditional parades, concerts, and community activities taking place across neighborhoods, districts, and rural areas.
Local authorities confirmed that the official program is ready and that the 2025 edition will be a more inclusive and participatory fair, aligned with Cali’s cultural identity. The South Eastern Highway (Autopista Suroriental) will once again serve as the main stage for the major parades, while the so-called Fair Street (Calle de la Feria) will host concerts and artistic showcases.
2025 Cali Fair program: Six days of celebration, tradition, and culture
The 2025 Cali Fair maintains the most beloved events for locals and tourists, while also incorporating new proposals aimed at expanding the city’s cultural offerings.
The Salsodromo, one of the most anticipated spectacles, will officially open the celebration on Dec. 25, featuring more than 1,500 dancers from the city’s top salsa schools. That same day, the Rural and Community Fair, the Brisas Caleñas presentations, and the Alternative Festival will bring music, dance, and art to decentralized spaces across the city.
Dec. 26 will be dedicated to lovers of musical heritage with a new edition of the Encuentro de Melomanos y Coleccionistas (Gathering of Music Lovers and Collectors), a space that pays tribute to the city’s salsa legacy. At the same time, the traditional popular casetas and the Legacy Festival will offer concerts featuring local orchestras and emerging artists.
On Dec. 27, one of the most popular parades returns: The Classic and Antique Cars Parade, a route featuring restored historic vehicles that attract collectors from across the country. At night, the Pascual Guerrero Stadium will host the Super Concierto, featuring national and international artists such as El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, Andy Caicedo, and Luis Alfonso. “El Swing de la Filarmonica,” a symphonic show that blends salsa with orchestral arrangements, will also be presented.
Dec. 28 will feature the Carnaval de Cali Viejo, declared a local cultural heritage event for its role in preserving Cali’s historical memory. Troupes, traditional characters, and folkloric groups will fill the Southeastern Highway in a parade honoring the city’s roots. That same day, the second session of the Encuentro de Melomanos will continue.
Dec. 29 and 30 will be dedicated to closing events, with concerts along Fair Street, gastronomic fairs, artistic performances, and family activities in neighborhoods and districts. On Dec. 30, the city will experience its grand finale with a day full of music, dance, and culture.
@noticiasradiorelojcali ¡Cali ya siente el latir de la salsa! 💃🔥 El Salsódromo 2025, desfile inaugural de la Feria de Cali, regresa más grande, más diverso y más conectado con sus raíces. Serán más de 2.200 artistas en escena; tendrán 20 de los mejores coreógrafos del país. habran 5 alas con diferentes tematicas como lo son: los bailadores, infantil con mas de 400 niños, el deporte "Cali como ciudad deportiva", la mujer y la ciudad como epicentro de grandes espectaculos y por ultimo "la gozadera, fiesta en el barrio". Durante noviembre, los ensayos reunieron a cientos de bailarines afinando cada detalle para regalarle al mundo una puesta en escena impecable. Más que un desfile, el Salsódromo es un homenaje vivo al ritmo que nos mueve. Este 2025, la Feria vuelve a sus raíces para celebrar lo que somos: pasión, tradición y salsa en cada esquina. ✨ Cali vibra. Cali baila. Cali está lista.
Historical Importance of the Cali Fair for Colombia
Since its first edition in 1957, the Cali Fair has become one of Colombia’s most important cultural celebrations and an international reference for salsa music. It was created as an initiative to revive the city’s economy and morale after the Aug. 7, 1956, explosion, and over time it transformed into a symbol of resilience and pride for Cali.
Throughout its 68 editions, the fair has helped establish Cali as the world capital of salsa, thanks to the visibility of its dancers, schools, and orchestras. It has also become a meeting point for diverse cultures, blending tradition, modernity, and popular expressions that represent the essence of southwestern Colombia.