Every August, Medellín turns into the happiest city in South America. The Feria de las Flores fills ten days with parades, concerts, orchids, classic cars and the world famous silleteros carrying gardens on their backs. I'm Riz, an international photographer based in Medellín, and I just spent today at the feria with a camera in hand, surrounded by flowers, music and thousands of proud paisas. If you are thinking about coming next year, this guide covers exactly how to prepare in advance so you experience the feria at its absolute best.
A flower-covered classic rolling past the crowds at the Feria de las Flores. All photos by Riz, Lucid Explore.
What Is the Feria de las Flores?
The Feria de las Flores is Medellín's biggest celebration, held every year in early August since 1957. What started as a small tribute to the flower farmers of Santa Elena has grown into a citywide festival with more than a hundred events: the Desfile de Silleteros flower parade, a classic car parade, orchid exhibitions, free concerts, food fairs and street parties in every neighborhood. Hotels fill up, streets close, and the whole city smells like flowers and fresh arepas.
The whole city turns out: floats, flags and a sea of paisa hats along the route.
Your Planning Timeline: When to Book What
- 5 to 6 months before: book your flights. Early August is high season for Medellín and prices climb fast once the feria dates are announced.
- 4 to 5 months before: reserve your hotel or apartment. Laureles and El Poblado sell out first, and prices can double for feria week.
- 1 to 2 months before: the official program is published. This is when you grab grandstand (palco) tickets for the Desfile de Silleteros and book day tours to Santa Elena.
- 3 to 4 weeks before: reserve popular restaurants, plan your event schedule, and book your photoshoot if you want professional photos of your trip. Feria dates are my most requested week of the year.
Where to Stay for the Feria
- Laureles: flat, walkable, full of local energy, and close to Avenida 70 where the feria atmosphere runs all night. My top pick for feria week.
- El Poblado: the largest hotel selection, great restaurants and easy transport. Ideal if you want comfort and nightlife.
- Envigado or Sabaneta: calmer, more residential, and more affordable. A good base if you prefer to visit the chaos and then escape it.
The Events You Cannot Miss
- Desfile de Silleteros: the grand finale. More than 500 flower farmers from Santa Elena parade with spectacular flower arrangements, some weighing over 70 kilos, carried on their backs.
- Desfile de Autos Clásicos y Antiguos: hundreds of vintage cars rolling through the city.
- Orchids, Birds and Flowers Exhibition: held at the Botanical Garden, a paradise if you love macro photography.
- Festival Nacional de la Trova: improvised singing duels. If you speak some Spanish, prepare to laugh until it hurts.
- Free concerts and chiva parades: check the official events calendar, there is something every single night.
Traditional dress and fresh flowers: the parades bring Antioquia culture to the street.
Do the Santa Elena Day Trip
A few days before the big parade, take a trip up to Santa Elena, the mountain village where the silletero tradition was born. You can visit a finca silletera, watch families assembling their silletas flower by flower, hear the history firsthand and enjoy views over the valley. It is about an hour from the city and it completely changes how you experience the parade afterwards, because you will recognize the work behind every arrangement.
How to Watch the Desfile de Silleteros Like a Local
- Arrive two to three hours early for a good free spot along the route, or buy a palco seat for shade and a guaranteed view.
- Bring sunscreen, a hat and water. The Medellín sun during the parade is no joke.
- Carry small cash for street food and cold drinks.
- If you want photos, the street level puts you closer to the silleteros' faces, which is where the real magic is.
What to Pack for Feria Week
Medellín in August is warm days, cool nights and the occasional shower. Pack light layers, a compact rain jacket, very comfortable shoes and sunscreen. In big crowds keep your phone in a front pocket and avoid flashing expensive gear. The city is festive and well policed during the feria, but normal big event precautions apply.
Getting Around During the Feria
The Metro is your best friend. Roads close around parade routes and traffic doubles on event days, so plan extra time, use the Metro whenever possible and ride apps during off peak hours. Do not rent a car for feria week; you will not need it and parking becomes a sport.
A Sample 5 Day Feria Itinerary
- Day 1: arrive, settle in, sunset views from Pueblito Paisa.
- Day 2: orchid exhibition at the Botanical Garden, then a Comuna 13 graffiti tour.
- Day 3: Santa Elena day trip to the silletero farms.
- Day 4: classic car parade by day, trova festival or a free concert at night.
- Day 5: the Desfile de Silleteros, the perfect closing day.
The Desfile de Autos Clasicos y Antiguos: vintage cars dressed in flowers.
Capture It Properly
The feria is the most photogenic week of Medellín's entire year: flower walls, silletas, chivas, color everywhere. Every August I photograph travelers, couples and families who want their trip documented properly, and these dates book out weeks in advance. If you want magazine quality photos of your feria trip, message me on WhatsApp and let's plan your session around the events you most want to live.
Friends, sombreros and feria energy. This is the week to have your trip photographed properly.
Feria de las Flores FAQ
When exactly is the feria?
It runs for about ten days in early August. Exact dates are announced months ahead on the city's official channels, so verify before booking flights.
Is Medellín safe during the feria?
The feria zones are heavily patrolled and family friendly. Use standard big crowd habits: front pockets, licensed taxis or apps at night, and common sense.
Do I need Spanish?
No. You can enjoy everything without it, though a few words of paisa slang will earn you instant friends.
How far ahead should I book a photoshoot?
Three to four weeks minimum for feria dates. Write me early and we will design the session around the parade calendar.