The Barranquilla Carnival is preparing for four intense days of celebration, tradition, and music, with a program that brings together the most emblematic events of the most important festival in the Colombian Caribbean. According to the schedule of the Barranquilla Carnival 2026, from Saturday, Feb. 14 to Tuesday, Feb. 17, the city will host parades, comparsas, music festivals, and symbolic acts that reflect the cultural diversity and festive spirit that define this heritage celebration.
Below is the complete schedule for the four days of the Barranquilla Carnival.
Schedule of highlighted events of the Barranquilla Carnival 2026
Over four consecutive days, the city will become the stage for iconic parades, music festivals, and popular cultural expressions that bring together locals and visitors around one of the country’s most important celebrations.
Saturday, Feb. 14: opening with parades and music
The carnival’s opening day begins on Saturday, Feb. 14, with the traditional Battle of Flowers, scheduled for 11:00 a.m. along Via 40. This parade, considered the most emblematic event of the festival, officially marks the start of the four days of celebration and features floats, comparsas, traditional dances, costumes, and folkloric expressions that move along the Cumbiodromo before thousands of spectators.
@paulinaflorezz batalla de flores 2025 🌺 #barranquilla #carnavaldebarranquilla #batalladeflores ♬ Pá Gozá el Carnaval – Sesión en vivo – La Cumbia Moderna De Soledad
Later that same day, at 2:00 p.m., the Rey Momo Parade will take place, also on Vía 40. This year’s central figure is Adolfo Maury Cabrera, director of the Congo Grande of Barranquilla, the oldest dance of the Carnival. The parade highlights cultural memory, experience, and the legacy of traditional leaders, and has established itself as a key event within the official program.
The day will conclude with the Night of Orchestras, starting at 5:00 p.m. at Plaza de la Paz, with free public access. More than 25 local, national, and international orchestras will take part in this concert marathon, competing for the Golden Congo, the carnival’s highest musical award.
Sunday, Feb. 15: Tradition, music, and popular satire
On Sunday, Feb. 15, the program continues with the Grand Parade of Tradition and Folklore, which begins at 12:00 p.m. on Via 40. This parade is dedicated to the carnival’s heritage expressions, featuring congos, garabatos, caimanes, mapales, and traditional dances that preserve the folkloric essence of the celebration.
At the same time, music once again takes center stage with the Festival of Orchestras, held at Plaza de la Paz. The event brings together more than 25 musical groups and marks the return of 27 previous Golden Congo winners, consolidating its status as one of the most important musical tributes of the carnival.
In the afternoon, starting at 2:00 p.m., the Festival of Letanias will take over the Rebolo neighborhood, the historic epicenter of this oral tradition. More than 20 groups will compete with verses full of humor, social criticism, and political satire, keeping alive one of the carnival’s most authentic expressions.
Monday, Feb. 16, and Tuesday, Feb. 17: creativity and symbolic closing
On Monday, Feb. 16, the Grand Parade of Comparsas will be held, a space dedicated to fantasy comparsas, contemporary costumes, and innovative proposals that blend tradition and modernity, showcasing the creativity of carnival participants.
@rubenchoviajero Carnaval de Barranquilla – Gran Parada de Fantasía #carnavaldebarranquilla #carnaval #viaje ♬ Pa' Pasarla Bacano – Checo Acosta & Fausto Chatella & Donny Caballero & Mery Bella
Finally, on Tuesday, Feb. 17, the Burial of Joselito Carnival will take place, a symbolic act that marks the official closing of the festivities. Through parades and theatrical representations in different neighborhoods of the city, Joselito — who embodies the joy of the Carnival — is bid farewell, only to be reborn each year according to tradition.
@vale.charris AYYY JOSEEEEE!!!! Por qué te me fuisteeeee?? Ahora me toca esperar un año para volverte a verrrr Joseeeee!!! 🖤🖤🪦🙏🏼🎉