If you are a person who wouldn't miss a music fest for the world, here are some of best music fests to attend in Columbia.
With music being such an integral part of Colombian culture and identity, it is no surprise that the country hosts many fantastic music festivals each year. From massive free rock festivals in city spaces to culturally significant celebrations of classical Caribbean and Pacific beach music, here are some incredible music festivals you must attend if you ever find yourself in Colombia.
For the past twenty-two years, Bogota's Simon Bolivar Park has played host to Rock al Parque, a festival celebrating, you guessed it, rock music. The event has been held on various dates over the years, although the most recent was in July and August. It's a free event, and in 2004, it drew in the neighborhood of 400 thousand of people, making it one of the largest in South America.
The Colombia al Parque Festival is one of many fantastic events held under the "Al Parque" umbrella (others include Salsa, Hip Hop, Jazz, and Opera). The festival features exceptional Colombian artists that play mostly traditional styles of Colombian music, including cumbia, vallenato, & champeta. Past musicians have included Sexteto Tabala, Frente Cumbiero, and Mitu, making this festival the most excellent place in Bogota to find new local talent. The month changes, but the last two events were held in August at the picturesque Parque de Los Novios.
A one-day event featuring Bogota musicians, Estéreo Picnic had its beginnings in 2010. However, due to poor attendance, the festival was revamped in 2013 to become a multi-day event with internationally renowned performers and local favorites. Artists such as Snoop Dogg, The Beatles, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Pixies, Nine Inch Nails, New Order, and the Strokes have played at the event since it began in 2013. Estéreo Picnic is the best option for a fun festival experience in Colombia, despite the high price of tickets.
Baum Festival, hosted by the same club, is one of the more recent music events in Bogota and features electronic music. Going to take place in Multiparque, a massive park south of Bogota. The event has been going strong since 2015. It's only a day long, but they've got a killer lineup of electronic artists worldwide. Keep an eye on Baum's site as they build their brand; a desert party in the Tatacoa region has the Bogota hipster scene excited.
Mompox, famed for its picturesque riverfront, has a reputation for being a quiet, tranquil place to live. The annual Jazz Festival brings the city to life for a few days in September or October. Over three days, Mompox welcomes national and international jazz musicians (along with a few non-jazz artists, who are likely included on the bill to appeal to a broader audience) and becomes packed with music lovers in search of high-quality jazz performed in a breathtaking natural setting.
