Pasto is preparing to welcome a new edition of the Carnival of Blacks and Whites, one of the most important cultural celebrations in the country and a symbol of identity in southern Colombia. The 2026 edition will take place from Dec. 28, 2025, to Jan. 11, 2026, featuring an extensive program that includes parades, concerts, artistic showcases, sports activities, and gastronomic events that turn Pasto into a grand festive stage.
Recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, the Carnival of Blacks and Whites goes beyond the local sphere to establish itself as an event of national and international relevance. Every year, thousands of visitors arrive in Pasto to take part in a tradition that celebrates diversity, equality, and coexistence through art, music, and collective participation.
Pre-carnival and official opening of the Carnival of Blacks and Whites 2026, Pasto, Colombia
The Carnival’s 2026 program officially begins with the pre-carnival, which will take place from Dec. 28 to 31, 2025. During these days, the city will host a packed agenda of sports, recreational, and cultural activities that set the festive mood. Among the most notable events are the Carnival Athletic Race, the family bike carnival, chess tournaments, and the traditional music stages, spaces where local and regional artists liven up the nights.
Jan. 2 will mark the official opening of the Carnival, with parades and central events that give way to the most anticipated days of the celebration. From this date onward, the streets of Pasto fill with color, music, and artistic expressions that reflect the cultural richness of Nariño and the work of artisans, musicians, and cultural collectives.
Central Days: tradition and color
One of the most emblematic moments takes place on Jan. 5, Black People’s Day, a highly symbolic day in which locals and visitors paint their faces black as a representation of equality, respect, and unity among peoples. This tradition, deeply rooted in the history of the Carnival, transforms the city into a space of integration where social differences fade away.
Jan. 6, known as White People’s Day, is perhaps the most crowded event. On this day, Pasto becomes a massive celebration of foam, talcum powder, and costumes, where collective joy takes over every corner of the city. Added to this is the impressive Grand Parade, featuring monumental floats, comparsas, and marching bands that showcase months of artistic work and creativity.
@carnavaldepasto #desfileMagno #carnavaldenegrosyblancos ♬ sonido original – Carnaval de Negros y Blancos
@tubarconews Así se juega el día de blancos en el carnaval de Pasto #carnanavalesdenegrosyblancos ♬ sonido original – TuBarco
Highlighted events and carnival closing
Among the most anticipated events of the 2026 edition are also the Old Year Parade, in which effigies and floats represent characters and events from the ending year; the Classic and Antique Car Parade, which brings together historic vehicles decorated for the occasion; and the Cuy and Trout Festival, a showcase of the region’s traditional gastronomy.
@criticasincortes Desfile de Años Viejos en el #carnavaldeblancosynegros #polopolo #uribe #petro #cabal ♬ sonido original – Elkin Rubiano
Cultural showcases in Plaza de Nariño and Plaza del Carnaval will offer spaces for dance, theater, visual arts, and traditional music, while concerts and popular stages will complement the agenda with guest artists and sounds typical of southwestern Colombia.
The celebration will run until Jan. 11, 2026, the closing date, with cultural and sporting activities that officially bring to an end one of the most representative festivities on Colombia’s cultural calendar.