Medellin’s flower festival, the city’s most important cultural event of the year, kicks off Thursday with a free concert at the city hall, after which the city will host some 150 events in the ten days of the festival.
The traditional highlights of the event are the parade of “silleteros,” the beautiful paisa women taking part in the horseback-riding parade, the classic car parade and the “fondas,” a collection of huts where the many villages of the Antioquia department show what they have to offer musically and gastronomically.
Less-known, but maybe cooler events are the car-tuning festival, the orchid exposition, the musical theme nights and the half dozen “tablados” or block parties that are organized throughout the festival.
Below is a selection of events held in the first weekend we recommend. You can also download the full program (PDF).
Thursday
- Official opening concert with Jorge Celedon, the Medellin Police Orchestra and
6PM – 01AM — Calle San Juan, in front of the mayor’s office
Friday
- “Arrieros, Mulas y Fondas,” cultural and gastronomical presentation of the villages of Antioquia
10AM – 01AM — Aeroparque Juan Pablo II - Artisan fair
10AM – 11PM — Pueblito Paisa - Flower and butterfly exposition
10AM – 7PM — Plazoleta Central Union mall - Exposition of photos of the Comuna 13 by photo journalist Federico Rios
2PM – 6PM — Telemedellin office, Carrera 43A 17 sur 30 - Vallenato festival with Jorge Celedon, Silvestre Dangond, Pipe Pelaez and others
8PM — La Macarena
Saturday
- Children “Silletero” (flower carrier) parade
10AM – ?? — See Google Maps - “Arrieros, Mulas y Fondas,” cultural and gastronomical presentation of the villages of Antioquia
10AM – 01AM — Aeroparque Juan Pablo II - Artisan fair
10AM – 11PM — Pueblito Paisa - Flower and butterfly exposition
10AM – 7PM — Plazoleta Central Union mall - Artesanal Medellin 2011
10:30AM – 9:30PM — Punto Clave mall - Horseback-riding parade
1PM – ?? — See Google Maps - Marching band festival
1PM – 10PM — Southern bus terminal - Exposition of photos of the Comuna 13 by photo journalist Federico Rios
2PM – 6PM — Telemedellin office, Carrera 43A 17 sur 30 - Andean music festival
7PM EAFIT University
Sunday
- “Heroes of the Nation” Motorcycle parade
10AM – ?? — See Google Maps - Artisan fair
10AM – 8PM — Premium Plaza mall - Artisan fair
10AM – 11PM — Pueblito Paisa - Artesanal Medellin 2011
10:30AM – 9:30PM — Punto Clave mall - Marching band festival
1PM – 10PM — Southern bus terminal - Chivas and flower parade
2PM – ?? — See Google Maps - Exposition of photos of the Comuna 13 by photo journalist Federico Rios
2PM – 6PM — Telemedellin office, Carrera 43A 17 sur 30 - Andean music festival
3PM EAFIT University