Feria de Cali 2026: Dates, Programme and Visitor Guide

The Feria de Cali runs each year from 25 to 30 December, turning Colombia’s third-largest city into what many consider the world’s most concentrated display of salsa culture. The fair has been held annually since 1957 and is now one of the largest street festivals in South America, drawing visitors from across Colombia and internationally to a city that treats salsa not as entertainment but as a defining part of its identity.

What the Feria involves

The six days of the fair are structured around several distinct events that run simultaneously across the city.

The Salsodrome parade opens the fair on 25 December along Avenida 6N, with professional and amateur salsa groups competing in choreographed street performances watched by enormous crowds on both sides of the boulevard. This is the visual highlight of the fair — the costumes, formations, and musicianship are exceptional, and the atmosphere is electric from early afternoon through to midnight.

Outdoor concert venues (tarimas) are set up across the city at parks, plazas, and dedicated sites. These stages run continuously from mid-afternoon to the early hours, with orchestras from Colombia, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and New York performing salsa dura, salsa romantica, and cali-style casino sets. Entry to most tarimas costs between approximately COP 30,000 and COP 100,000 per evening.

The Cabalgata is a horse parade through the city’s streets held on one of the middle days of the fair, showcasing paso fino horses and their riders in traditional dress. The bullfighting season runs concurrently at the Plaza de Toros Canaveralejo, with events on multiple evenings during the fair (tickets sold separately).

Tickets and logistics

Salsodrome grandstand tickets are the most sought-after and go on sale through the official website from October — popular sections sell out within hours of release. Street viewing along the parade route is free but spaces fill from midday onwards. For the concert tarimas, individual venue tickets are sold at the gate and online.

Cali’s Alfonso Bonilla Aragon Airport handles direct flights from Bogota, Medellin, Cartagena, and international routes. During the fair period, flights and buses from Bogota book out weeks in advance. Book transport and accommodation as early as possible — hotels in the Granada and El Peñon neighbourhoods near the main tarimas fill first.

Practical advice

The fair runs almost entirely outdoors in Colombia’s warm December climate (around 28 to 32 degrees Celsius during the day). Carry cash for street food, drinks, and smaller venues that do not accept cards. The crowds are large but the general atmosphere is festive rather than chaotic; standard street-safety awareness applies. Comfortable shoes are essential — the salsa-centric nature of the fair means you will almost certainly end up dancing at some point, whether you planned to or not.

Most events start later than advertised — Cali operates on a relaxed schedule even during the fair. Plan around start times at least an hour after the listed time for outdoor concerts.

For city context, see our Cali city guide, and for broader timing decisions our Colombia in December guide.