Four major Colombian cities will be inundated with great beer and even greater national and international acts this October for the country’s very own version of Oktoberfest.
The Colombian capital Bogota, as well as Medellin, Cali, and Barranquilla, will be host to Colombia’s version of Oktoberfest, dubbed Oktober Fest Club Colombia, where local and international beer can be enjoyed in relaxed outdoor settings with spaces to picnic.
In each city, festival-goers will have the chance to see live performances by artists, DJs, and bands of diverse genres and wander the market stalls filled with art and impressive designs from local artists.
Spanish rap and R&B star Mala Rodriguez as well as English DJ Miguel Campbell are set to grace the stage in Medellin, while in Cali the lineup includes Colombia’s greatest electronic cumbia queens, Bomba Estereo.
The only drawback to this event that rides on the coattails of the real Oktoberfest is that it is organized by Bavaria, the beer company that is content with monopolozing Colombia’s brewing industry (as a sub-entity of the multinational SABmiller). Therefore all beers served at Oktober Fest will be from the Bavaria company or its associated brands, losing the essence of the microbreweries and craft beers that are the heart of Germany’s original Oktoberfest.
Below are the event details, including artists, for each city (all prices in USD).
Bogota – October 4
General admission: $21 (includes one free beer)
VIP ticket: $41
Location: Nimajay de Bavaria Club (autonorte con 234 costado oriental).
From: 11AM until 2AM
Artists on the main stage: Crystal Waters (USA), Pillow Talk (USA) , ChocQuibTown, El Freaky, Flora Canibal, Low Pitch Orchestra, Electro Capital, Cobs and Kramer, Gerard, Sergio Cardenas, BAQ on DECKS.
Billares Londres VIP stage: Thugfucker (Ireland – USA), Michael Gacciopo (Canada), Julio Victoria, Julian Gomez, Daniel Weinstein, Memek, Mansur, Richard.
Cali – October 18 – 19
General admission for two days: $24 (includes one free beer)
General admission for one day: $16 (includes one free beer)
VIP ticket for two days: $35 (includes special two-day pass and one free beer)
VIP ticket for one day: $30 (includes one free beer)
Location: Retrata Park, CAM
From: 11AM – 1AM Saturday 18; 11AM – 9PM Sunday 19
Artists: Bomba Estereo, Monsieur Perine, Zalama Crew, Lida Villamarín, Hot Pants, Cynthia Montaño, Circus Funk, Xavier Martinez,
DJs: Indahaus, Chico Lerma, Julian Giraldo, Andru, Ro, Cayetano, Mao Loading.
Barranquilla – October 25
General admission: $16
VIP ticket: $33
Location: Naval base via 40.
From: 3PM – 2AM
Artists: ChocQuibTown, Wilson Manyoma, Martina La Peligrosa, Perro Loko, MKC, Bulbmakers, BAQ on DECKS.
Medellin – October 25
General admission: $16
VIP ticket: $25
Location: Rodeo Club
From: 1PM – 1AM
Artists: Mala Rodriguez (Spain), Miguel Campbell (UK), Radio Caliente, Viaje al Centro de la Tierra, Mama Loves Disco, DJ PaoC.