The Barranquilla Carnival is one of Colombia’s most important festivities, and its spirit is felt throughout the entire Atlantico department. Although the city is the epicenter of the country’s most famous celebration, the festivities extend to various towns across the region, where tradition is experienced with equal intensity, a strong sense of identity, and deep community participation.
Villages such as Santo Tomas, Galapa, and Baranoa have become key stages along the so-called Route of Tradition, a network of celebrations that keeps the folkloric roots of Colombia’s Caribbean culture alive.
Villages in Atlantico that celebrate the Barranquilla Carnival
The Route of Tradition runs through several municipalities in the Atlantico department, where dance, music, and folkloric expressions preserve the essence of the Barranquilla Carnival. These villages become fundamental settings of the celebration, safeguarding cultural traditions that have been passed down through generations and are part of the Caribbean’s heritage.
Santo Tomas: The popular “Vacilon” celebration
Just 10 minutes away from Barranquilla, Santo Tomas transforms each year into one of the main highlights of the department’s carnival season with its Batalla de Flores (Battle of the Flowers) and Vacilon, considered the most important events in Atlantico after the Barranquilla Carnival itself.
The Santo Tomas Battle of the Flowers — locally known as Santoto — takes inspiration from Barranquilla’s parade but has its own identity. Decorated floats, queens, comparsas (dance troupes), and folkloric groups parade through the streets in a procession marked by strong popular traditions.
Complementing this is the Vacilon, a more spontaneous celebration where tropical music, costumes, and collective joy turn the entire town into one giant street party.
This celebration stands out for its massive community participation. Entire families, groups of friends, and visitors from across the region join in. It is common for people in Barranquilla to organize buses with friends and relatives to travel to Santo Tomas and enjoy the festivities. The event traditionally takes place the day after Barranquilla’s Guacherna parade, and this year it will be held on Feb. 7.
Galapa: a cradle of Caribbean folklore
Located about 30 minutes away from Barranquilla, Galapa is recognized as one of Atlantico’s most culturally rich municipalities. It hosts the Gran Parada de Folclor (Great Folklore Parade), a procession known for the authenticity of its traditional dances and comparsas.
This event, which this year will take place on Feb. 8 starting at 1:00 p.m., is part of the Route of Tradition and focuses on preserving native expressions such as Congo, Son de Negro, and Garabato, all emblematic carnival dances.
Galapa is also home to historic groups such as Congo Grande, with more than 150 years of history, making the town a true breeding ground for folklore. Many comparsas that shine in Barranquilla originate here, and numerous carnival masks and costumes are crafted in the village.
Galapa’s celebration maintains a strong community character: It is a true town festival, where the streets become a stage for identity and cultural pride.
Baranoa: the carnival that revives memory
About 40 minutes away from Barranquilla, Baranoa offers a different perspective on carnival with its Carnaval del Recuerdo (Carnival of Memory), an event that functions as a tradition “living museum.” Its purpose is to revive dances, comparsas, and traditional costumes that shaped the history of carnival in Atlantico.
With parades featuring Congo, Garabato, Cumbia, and Son de Negro, this celebration honors collective memory and strengthens Baranoa’s cultural identity. This year, the event will also be held on Feb. 8, consolidating its place as one of the most important municipal carnivals in the department.
Together, these celebrations show that the Barranquilla Carnival is celebrated throughout Atlantico. Beyond the major city stages, the true essence of the festival beats in its villages, where tradition, community, and folklore remain the real protagonists.