FERIA DE CALI
(THE CALI SALSA FAIR)
Colombians have the reputation to be festive and cheerful people and this is true as evidenced by the voluminous ferias (fairs) and festivals held annually in the country.
Every festival and carnival is unique and some of them have a century-long history. The festivities are a combination of various cultural events including masquerades, dances and parades, among others.
The Feria de Cali is more than just an annual event, it is a pulsating celebration of Colombian culture, a testament to the unifying power of music and dance and a vibrant showcase of community spirit. As the salsa rhythms fill the air and dancers take to the streets, the festival transforms Cali into a kaleidoscope of joy, colour and passion, drawing people from all corners of the world into its mesmerizing embrace.
The Feria de Cali is one of the longest-standing Colombian celebrations and is set in the salsa capital itself. There is no better place to dance the night away. Taking place every year in between Christmas and New Year, this celebration is home to dancing, music, concerts and more.
La Feria de Cali began in 1957 and what started as a celebration to help Cali bounce back from difficult times has turned into one of the most famous festivals in Colombia. Over the years, it has evolved into a vibrant explosion of culture, where locals and tourists alike get swept up in the rhythm of salsa music and the pure joy of life.
Cali is not called the Salsa Capital of the World for nothing. Colombia is a land of celebrations and visiting a festival is one of the unparalleled activities while visiting the country.
Feria de Cali
The Feria was originally set as a traditional Spanish bullfighting celebration that also included a horse parade, ballroom dancing and a beauty pageant. However, since the 1980s the Cali Fair has progressively adopted the form of a street carnival that focuses on a celebration of salsa music and dance.
The Cali Feria is a banquet of revelry and seduction. Not only is it the biggest Salsa festival in the world, but it also features the best bullfighters from Spain and South America, the greatest Paso Fino horses in Colombia, concerts, parades, parties, beauty pageants, gastronomy presentations, cultural exhibitions, sideshows and so much more.
Held annually between the 25th. and 30th. December, the Feria encompasses concerts, salsa marathons, parades, fireworks and dance parties, along with a craft fair, a photography contest and a pet festival, among many other events.
The Salsódromo Parade is the festival’s opening act on December 25th and it is the perfect way to kick off the festivities. Salsa troupes from the world over shimmy along a parade route well over a mile in length, inspired by Rio de Janeiro’s Sambódromo. It is five hours of colour, music and contagious alegria (happiness).
Imagine a giant procession of salsa dancers moving to infectious beats, all decked out in wildly colourful costumes. It is essentially a moving party and everyone is invited to watch, dance and cheer along. More than just a parade, it is a tribute to the people of Cali as well as an elaborately staged event involving everyone from costume designers to stylists, choreographers and other artists, all of whom embody the Caleño Style of salsa, known around the world for its fast, fancy footwork and acrobatic lifts.
Cabalgata
This is a famous, imposing horse parade that showcases Colombia’s love for its equestrian culture. Riders in traditional outfits parade through the streets, turning this event into a cowboy meets carnival mash-up. It is truly a sight to behold.
Concerts, Street Parties and More
For the rest of the week, Cali is basically one big party. You will find concerts, dance-offs and street parties around every corner. Local bands play everything from salsa and merengue to reggaetón and the energy is nothing short of contagious.
La Fiesta de Mi Pueblo (My Town’s Celebration)
This parade has about 35 floats and 1,500 participants to highlight the different neighbourhoods in and around Cali.
Desfile de Joya Rodantes
Generally held on the 27th of December, the parade of antique and classic cars is a traditional event that remains close to the hearts of Caleños. Hundreds of vehicles registered between 1920 and 1970 arrive in Cali from all corners of Colombia (and some from neighbouring countries), to form an impressive parade.
Carnaval de Cali Viejo
This special parade was designed to honour the people and legends in the history of Cali, as well as to highlight the cultural diversity of the city and strengthen the sense of belonging of its citizens.
This is a more traditional parade with music, costumes and dancing that reflects the rich mix of Colombian culture and history, including indigenous, Spanish and African heritages. This Feria features mini-festivals and small groups, some of which perform at as many as six locations on any given day.
Feria Rural y Comunera (Rural and Neighbourhood Fair)
This is a feria within the main feria lasting the entire week and has nearly forty events alone, spread out over the city at about seven locations.
Festival de Orquestas (Orchestra Festival)
With heavy emphasis on salsa dancing, the festival has about twenty live orchestras at different locations throughout the city.
Encuentro de Melómanos y Coleccionistas (Music Fans and Collectors)
The meeting of music lovers and collectors takes place each day and is one of the most traditional events of the Cali Feria, bringing together musicians, historians, producers, singers and of course collectors to talk and enjoy live music. The event has live music such as tropical or Cuban music for hours on end. Collectors can buy music-related items like vinyl albums and antique instruments.
Treasures at the Encuentro de Melómanos y Coleccionistas
Feria Alternativa (Alternative Fair)
Featuring blues, jazz, rock, Andean music and more, this is the place for those who enjoy genres other than salsa.
Súper Concierto
Experience the best of salsa and other beloved genres at the Super Concert, which takes place at the end of the week at the Pascual Guerrero Olympic Stadium, a venue built for the 1971 Pan Am Games.
The show has featured in the past some of the greatest living legends in Latin American music, with headline acts including the likes of Romeo Santos, El Gran Combo de Puerto Rico, Grupo Niche and Silvestre Dangond, among others. Being Cali, this is not a sit back and politely listen type of event. It is a ten-hour party marathon and everyone is invited. The Súper Concierto starts just before sundown and usually lasts until almost dawn.
La Feria de Cali is the perfect place for you to try all the delicious food that Colombia offers, but most importantly, you can try Caleña gastronomy, something authentic to Cali.
During the Feria, a gastronomic event is held, presenting a variety of regional dishes as well as international food. Visitors can enjoy local delights such as sancocho, arepas and exquisite Caleño desserts. Cali is popular for its street food, including empanadas, ceviche, aborrajados (deep fried plantain stuffed with cheese) and luladas, a traditional refreshing drink made with the lulo or naranjilla fruit.
A feature of the Cali Feria is the tascas, which are small, picturesque, temporary restaurants built from wood. They offer a wide range of Colombian and international food and operate as a sort of gastronomical fair for the revellers. You can find tascas in the Retreta Park, near Paseo Bolívar.
Street food Feria de Cali
At the heart of the Feria de Cali lies the rich tapestry of salsa, a dance and music genre that transcends mere entertainment, embodying the resilience, diversity and vibrancy of the Colombian spirit. The festival is a living, breathing canvas where the past, present and future of salsa come together, offering a unique and immersive experience that resonates with every beat and step.
The Feria de Cali stands as a beacon of cultural pride, not just for Cali or Colombia, but for the world of salsa music and dance. It is a festival that captures the essence of Colombia’s heart and soul, leaving a lasting impression that calls you back, year after year, to dance again in the streets of Cali.
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