Cartagena Independence Day Celebrations 2026

On 11 November 1811, Cartagena became the first city in New Granada (present-day Colombia) to declare full independence from Spain. This declaration predated Colombia’s national independence by nearly a decade and reflects Cartagena’s particular importance in the independence movement — the city had been a centre of trade, political thought, and anti-colonial sentiment for decades before the final break.

Cartagena’s Independence Day is therefore distinct from Colombia’s national holiday on 20 July: it celebrates the city’s own act of self-determination, and it is celebrated with corresponding civic pride.

How the day is celebrated

11 November is a public holiday in Cartagena and the surrounding Bolivar department. The celebrations officially open the Concurso Nacional de Belleza (National Beauty Pageant), which runs from 9 to 11 November each year — the Independence Day itself is the culmination of the pageant, with the coronation of the National Queen held on the evening of the 11th at the Centro de Convenciones.

During the day, the walled city fills with parades, brass bands, and civic processions moving through the historic streets. The Plaza de Bolivar hosts flag-raising ceremonies and official speeches in the morning. Afternoon and evening bring open-air concerts and cultural performances at several locations within and around the walls.

The broader pageant period (9 to 11 November) brings regional queens from departments across Colombia to the city, along with their delegations, and the streets around the old city and Bocagrande are noticeably busier and more festive than at any other time of year.

Practical information for visitors

The 11 November holiday is one of the busiest periods of the year for Cartagena. Hotels, particularly those inside the walled city and in Bocagrande, fill weeks in advance and prices increase significantly during the pageant period. Book accommodation and flights well ahead if you are planning to attend.

The National Beauty Pageant itself draws large crowds and is widely broadcast on national television. If you want to attend coronation events, tickets are sold through official channels and tend to be expensive. The street celebrations, parades, and outdoor concerts are free and accessible.

Temperatures in Cartagena in November sit at around 30 to 32 degrees Celsius during the day with moderate humidity. The Caribbean rainy season is tapering off by November, so conditions are generally good for outdoor events, but brief afternoon showers remain possible.

For city orientation and accommodation guidance, see our Cartagena city guide. For a broader view of Colombia’s November calendar, see our Colombia in November guide.