The Cartagena Independence Day Festivities (Fiestas de independencia de Cartagena), also called the November Festivities (Fiestas de Noviembre) or just the Fiestas de Cartagena, are held every November in Cartagena, Colombia.
Although its origins are different, it’s a bit similar to a Carnival or Mardi Gras and is sometimes called the Cartagena Carnival for that reason.
There are parades, concerts, a beauty pageant, and lots of partying and dancing in the street!
In the post below, you can see the schedule for the Independence of Cartagena Carnival 2024 and what to expect during the different events to commemorate Cartagena Independence Day in 2024.
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What the Cartagena Carnival Commemorates
Although sometimes called the Cartagena Carnival in English, the fiestas are not really a carnival and not held in the period just before Lent like Mardi Gras, the Rio Carnival, or the Barranquilla Carnival.
Cartagena’s festivities celebrate and commemorate Cartagena’s Declaration of Independence on November 11, 1811.
Colombia’s Independence process played out with different cities and provinces declaring independence individually rather than a nation wide declaration, and Cartagena was the first province to create a fully independent state, named the Free State of Cartagena.
For this reason, its declaration was arguably more important than the July 20, 1810 declaration in Bogotá celebrated as Colombian Independence Day, which only declared autonomy but continued loyalty to the king.
Cartagena also played a leading role in the wars for independence, suffering a brutal siege and reoccupation by the Spanish in 1815 that earned it the nickname of La Herórica before finally being reliberated in 1821, more than two years after most of Colombia gained de facto independence after the Battle of Boyacá.
The Cartagena Independence Festival commemorates and honors this history.
However, it’s much more of a raucous party and celebration akin to a Cartagena Carnival than a solemn time of remembrance.
For better or worse, the history largely takes a backseat to the biggest party of the year in the city.
What to Expect During the 2024 Cartagena Independence Day Festival
The biggest party of the year it certainly is!
I always really, really enjoyed the Cartagena November Festivities during my 11 years living in Cartagena. Some of my best memories are from the fiestas.
However, they are definitely a bit chaotic, rowdy.
Simply put, they are not for everyone.
If you go to the parades or other larger events, you should expect the following:
- Large crowds.
- Being sprayed with espuma (foam like shaving cream).
- Having Maizena (corn starch) thrown on you.
- Getting paint rubbed on you.
- Having water thrown on you.
- Dodging little firecrackers, called buscapies, thrown along the ground.
You should come ready to embrace a bit of chaos and take getting sprayed in the face with foam in stride.
My best advice, is to join in yourself.
You can get a bit more of an idea of what it’s like in my general article on what to expect during the Cartagena Independence Festival.
If this all sounds horrible to you, then you might want to plan your trip another time or plan to head up the coast to a place like the quiet mountain town of Minca or the serene Tayrona Park during the main events.
However, if the Cartagena Independence Fiestas sound like something you’d enjoy, then it’s absolutely worth checking out if you’ll be in Cartagena in early November.
Is the Independence of Cartagena Celebration Safe for Tourists and Foreigners?
Yes, with a few caveats.
If you do participate in the Cartagena Carnival in 2024, keep in mind the following tips:
- Wear clothes you don’t mind getting dirty or ruined, especially if you plan to be out in the street.
- Wear closed shoes not sandals (I learned this the hard way my first year in Cartagena and was burned by a firecracker!).
- Wear a pair of cheap sunglasses to keep foam and Maizena out of your eyes.
- Carry pocket change for people in the street who ask for it under threat of rubbing paint on you (this goes for all week, not just during the events by the way).
- Leave valuables at home and limit the amount of cash you carry.
- Use an anti-theft crossbody bag, sling bag, belt pouch, neck pouch, or bra pouch for your phone and any cash or valuables you need to carry. At the least, keep your wallet and cash in front pockets.
- Buy your own espuma, Maizena, or buscapies for self defense!
While the vast majority of people out in the street are there to have a good time, there are some bad actors.
I’ve heard of people being sprayed in the face with foam before being pickpocketed, and I had a friend visiting have her phone pickpocketed while out in a big crowd one year.
Sometimes, locals do get a kick out of targeting gringos for extra espuma, Maizena, and paint.
For the most part, this is good natured. My suggestion is take it in stride and buy some espuma for yourself.
I, for one, always really enjoyed getting in espuma fights!
Occasionally, real fights do break out too.
However, if you’re not part of a Cartagena gang and you don’t rage when someone sprays you in the face with espuma, you shouldn’t need to worry about that.
If you want a happy medium of being able to see the Cartagena Independence parade but aren’t too keen on being out in the street, click here to see some suggested places to stay that have balcony views of where the main parade passes. AirBnBs and VRBOs in the Cabrero and Marbella areas along the waterfront should also provide a view.
What Do Beauty Pageants Have to Do with Cartagena’s Independence?
The Cartagena November Festivities have traditionally been when Miss Colombia is crowned.
There was a short lived attempt to move the pageant to March to not take away from the historical significance of the date and to promote another big event for the city and tourist industry, but it only lasted a year or two.
Last year, there was actually no Miss Colombia pageant at all.
However, there will be a Miss Colombia pageant this year, and it will be held in Cartagena during the Cartagena Independence Festivities.
There is also a local beauty pageant, where contestants from different barrios in Cartagena compete to be crowned Miss Independence, or the Reina popular, sort of like a “people’s” beauty queen.
People get real into rooting for their barrio’s candidate. There’s a bit dated but really interesting NY Times article highlighting the contrasts of the two pageants if you want to learn more about them with a dose of social commentary.
Keep in mind that the local pageant is organized by the city and the same organization that organizes the fiestas.
Events featuring the Miss Independence candidates are generally free but there may be limited space for entry. You can see a list of the candidates for Miss Independence here and see an Instagram page focused on the Reinado Popular here.
Meanwhile, the national beauty pageant is organized by its own organization and many of the events are private and require tickets. You can check out their website here and their Instagram here.
Miss Colombia candidates do participate in the main parade and in some other free public events that are part of the fiestas though.
2024 Cartagena Independence Schedule
Below, you can find a full day by day schedule with an idea of what to expect during the festivities for Cartagena Independence Day 2024, starting with the smaller prelude events in the weeks leading up to November.
The biggest events are the Thursday-Sunday of the week before November 11, which falls on a Monday this year, including the main parade on Thursday November 7.
I’ve tried to comment on whether I think each event is worth visiting, and what to keep in mind in terms of safety.
The schedule below was originally based on the official schedule released by the IPCC (Instituto de Patrimonio y Cultura de Cartagena) in this Instagram post.
However, the IPCC released a new schedule in this post in late October. The schedule below reflects those changes and is up to date as of the most recent update on November 1.
You can follow the IPCC’s Instagram page, which is where they are usually the most active making announcements, and they often make changes last minute and things like the weather might cause some changes.
Thursday September 12
- Miss Independence Contestants at Castillo San Felipe
- Time: 5 pm
- Where: Castillo San Felipe
- What to expect: The candidates for Miss Independence will show their stuff at the Castillo, one of their first public presentations.
Thursday October 3
- Preludio cultural universitario
- Time: From 3 pm
- Where: Plaza de los Coches (Just inside the Clocktower)
- What to Expect: There might live music here and there should be performances and presentations by university students. The Miss Independence candidates will likely participate in some way too, probably with a catwalk. Since this is the main prelude in the downtown area, expect there to possibly be a lively atmosphere around the Clocktower all evening.
Friday October 4
- Preludio Localidad 1
- Time: From 4 pm
- Where: Plaza de Canapote
- What to Expect: This is the prelude for Localidad 1 (each localidad is sort of like a district made up of several neighborhoods). I would discourage tourists or expats to avoid this and the other local preludes outside the Centro unless going with a trusted and well known local.
Friday October 11
- Preludio localidad 2
- Time: From 4 pm
- Where: Softball Stadium in the Las Gaviotas
- What to Expect: The prelude for the barrios around Las Gaviotas. Again, I’d recommend avoiding unless going with a trusted resident of these barrios.
Wednesday October 16
- Toma Corregimental and Preludio Zona Norte
- Time: From 8 am
- Where: Nearby Towns and La Boquilla
- What to Expect: The “Zona Norte” is the area of La Boquilla near the Hotel Las Americas and a number of other beachfront resorts and condos (sometimes this area is also called Los Morros). This is also the prelude event for other small towns on the outskirts of Cartagena, who each will organize their own events. Keep this in mind if you are traveling to or from the city by bus or going to La Boquilla, Manzanillo, Barú (including Playa Blanca), or Turbaco as there may be increased traffic.
Friday October 18
- Preludio localidad 3
- Time: From 4 pm
- Where: Softball Stadium in Blas de Lezo
- What to Expect: The prelude party for Blas de Lezo and surrounding barrios.
Friday October 25
- Noche de Candelas
- Time: From 6 pm
- Where: Plaza de la Proclamación (beside the Cathedral around the corner from Bolívar Park)
- What to Expect: There will be live music. In the past this night was usually combined with the Jolglorio de Tambores and featured lots of African drum rhythms, but the Jolglorio gets its own night later. Still, I’d expect a similar style of music or possibly other artists. The Miss Independence beauty queens will likely make an appearance too.
Sunday October 27
- Cabildo Escuela Normal Superior de Cartagena
- Time: 3 pm
- Where: In the Centro
- What to Expect: This was an event that I first saw on the agenda last year. It’s a small parade that goes from Las Bovedas to the Plaza de los Coches next to the Clocktower. Due to its timing on a Sunday afternoon, I wouldn’t expect big crowds or for it to get very rowdy, but there may be some roads closed for a short time as it passes. If you happen to be around downtown with nothing to do, it’s probably worth checking out, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to see it.
Monday October 28
- Miss Independence Talent Show
- Time: 3 pm
- Where: Teatro Adolfo Mejía (also known as Teatro Heredía)
- What to Expect: The candidates for Miss Independence will show off their talents. Usually there’s a lot of dancing. This event is free to attend but can fill up quickly, so get there early to wait in line if you want to see it.
- *Note: this was originally scheduled for October 31 but was changed
Friday November 1
- Angeles Somos
- Time: All Day, parade at 4 pm
- Where: All around town, parade in Centro
- What to Expect: This is a tradition where children go around and ask neighbors to donate ingredients for a soup or stew known as a Sancocho. It’s unlikely children ask tourists, but there is a children’s parade that will start from Las Bovedas in the afternoon. While not worth going out of your way to see, it might be neat to check out if you’re around Centro at that time.
- Keys to the City Presented to the Miss Colombia Contestants
- Time: 8 pm
- Where: Teatro Adolfo Mejía (also known as Teatro Heredía)
- What to Expect: A ceremony where the keys to the city will be presented to the national beauty pageant contestants. It’s not clear if this is open to the public and if it is if it’s free or you need a ticket. I’ll try to update closer to the date if it’s made clearer. It may also be televised.
Saturday November 2
- Noche de Tradición Festiva
- Time: 7 pm
- Where: Plaza de la Aduana (plaza inside the Clocktower to the left)
- What to Expect: Candidates for Miss Independence will do catwalks wearing costumes that pay homage to aspects of the city and independence festival’s history and traditions. It’s possibly Miss Colombia contestants may appear too, and there will certainly be live music too. This event should be free but there may be barriers set up and limited space inside.
Sunday November 3
- Miss Independence Swimsuit Competition
- Time: 7 pm
- Where: Plaza de la Aduana (plaza inside the Clocktower to the left)
- What to Expect: Candidates for Miss Independence will do catwalks wearing bathing suits. The schedule specifies the Miss Independence candidates only, so Miss Colombia contestants will likely have their own private event on a different day. There should be live music during this event along with the beauty queens. The event should be free but barriers will mostly likely be set up and there could be limited space inside.
Wednesday November 6
- Parade in Honor of the Heroes of Independence
- Time: 4 pm
- Where: Plaza de la Aduana (plaza inside the Clocktower to the left)
- What to Expect: This parade is organized by the Cartagena secretary of education, so I’d expect it to consist of school children in historic outfits. Due to that and the fact it’s in the early afternoon, it will likely be small and not rowdy. If you’re in Centro, it may be worth checking out, but not worth going out of the way to attend.
Thursday November 7
- Independence Parade (aka Bando)
- Time: Scheduled to start at 12 pm
- Where: Avenida Santander (road from the airport along the water)
- What to Expect: This is the main event of the fiestas. The parade starts from the Corales de las Indias hotel and condos in Crespo, near the airport. There will be lots of dance and music groups and fun costumes, and the candidates for Miss Independence and Miss Colombia will ride on floats. The parade proceeds down the Avenida Santander through Marbella and El Cabrero and along the wall before ending at the Parque de la Marina at the end of the walls. You can buy tickets to sit on bleachers set up around the walls, or you can watch in the street for free in El Cabrero and Marbella. Expect large crowds in Cabrero that thin out somewhat as you go farther away from Centro towards the airport. Be advised that there is usually a very large group of people throwing firecrackers on the 2nd avenue in Cabrero just before it forks into the Avenida Santander. Roads are usually closed shortly before the parade, so get to this area early if you want to participate and don’t plan to get to the airport or travel north out of the city this afternoon.
- Parade Afterparty
- Time: after the parade, approximately 7 pm
- Where: Plaza de los Coches and Plaza de la Aduana (plazas inside the Clocktower)
- What to Expect: I expect there will be stages set up with live music and large crowds continuing the party from the parade. There is often a “beer festival” set up in front of the convention center too, and clubs and bars will likely be crowded. If you’re not participating in the fiestas expect large crowds and use caution carrying valuables or cash all around Centro and Getsemaní. Wear clothes you don’t mind sprayed with foam in too.
- Note: This after party event does not appear on the updated schedule. There may still be some events in Centro after the bando though.
Friday November 8
- Balleneras Boat Parade
- Time: 3 pm
- Where: Cartagena Bay
- What to Expect: They actually haven’t done this event in years, so I was surprised to see it on the schedule. The best way to participate in this is with a boat rental. I have never actually attended this, so I don’t have a ton of advice, but I imagine there may be boat companies or some bigger boats selling tickets to see it too, and you may be able to get a view of it from the promenade along the bay in Bocagrande.
- *Note: The original schedule called this the Balleneras and said it was part of the national beauty pageant. On the updated schedule it’s called the Festival Nautico de la Independencia. My guess is the Miss Colombia candidates won’t be participating, but it’s hard to know since the national pageant doesn’t even have a working website or a published schedule of events anywhere I can find. So, expect a boat parade and maybe beauty queens.
- Balleneras After Party
- Time: after the parade, approximately 7 pm
- Where: Plaza de los Coches and Plaza de la Aduana (plazas inside the Clocktower)
- What to Expect: Like the night before, there should be stages set up with live music. I’d also think the “beer festival” will be set up in front of the convention center too, and clubs and bars will likely be crowded again. Once again, if you’re not participating, use caution going out.
- Note: Like the after party the night before, this one also does not appear on the updated schedule. There may be a smaller event down around the Clocktower but it’s hard to say for sure.
Saturday November 9
- Salsa a la Plaza in Honor of Cartagena’s Independence
- Time: 7 pm
- Where: Plaza de la Aduana (inside Clocktower to left)
- What to Expect: A concert featuring Salsa music.
- Diversity Parade
- Time: 7 pm
- Where: Getsemaní, starting by the Banco Popular building across from the Parque Centenario.
- What to Expect: A LGBTQ pride parade. Usually there are some funny costumes and this draws a larger crowd than you might expect although it’s much smaller than the main parades and is usually a bit more low key atmosphere.
Sunday November 10
- Cabildo de Getsemaní
- Time: 2 pm
- Where: Plaza de la Trinidad in Getsemaní
- What to Expect: Usually there is a parade starting outside Centro and arriving to the Plaza de la Trinidad. Expect a rowdy party all afternoon and late into the night around the Plaza, especially since this is the culmination of the fiestas this year with the 11th falling on a Monday.
- Coronation of Miss Independence
- Time: 7 pm
- Where: Plaza de Toros
- What to Expect: Miss Independence will be named after a ceremony complete with live music performances, catwalks, and the winnowing down of the field to finalists. While probably safe enough, the Plaza de Toros is far from the tourist areas of the city, and I would discourage trying to go unless going with trusted locals. The event will most likely be televised and streamed by the IPCC’s Facebook page.
- Note: This is unfortunately the same night as the coronation of Miss Colombia, so it may get less attention. I would hazard a guess they might change the timing or day of this.
Monday November 11
- Reading of the Act of Independence and Floral Offering to Cartagena’s Martyrs
- Time: 8 am and 11 am
- Where: The Convention Center and the Promenade de los Martyrs in front of the Clocktower
- What to Expect: The one year I tried to go to the reading of the Act of Independence, it was a private event not open to the public. You could try, but it’s probably not very exciting. You could also watch the placing of flowers by the statues on the walkway that connects Centro to Getsemaní in front of the Clocktower, but you might just want to nurse your hangover from the weekend! Do keep in mind this Monday is a national holiday, and much of Cartagena will definitely be nursing their hangover.
Ready to Enjoy the 2024 Cartagena November Festivities?
There you have a complete schedule for the 2024 Independence of Cartagena Festival. I hope you found it useful for in knowing what to expect during Cartagena’s 2024 Carnival.
If you are in Cartagena around this time and participate, I hope you have as good a time as I did so many times during my years living in Cartagena!
Do please note again that I’m publishing this schedule on September 16.
I will try to update as the dates grow closer if additional events are announced or if all the events around the national beauty pageant are announced.
I also encourage you to follow the IPCC Instagram account as that is where they usually make announcements to changes and exactly what to expect, such as performers at the different concerts and information on entry and tickets, usually only announced last minute.
Please to consider joining the Cartagena Travel Tips Facebook Group too, where I’ll try to share updates and you can connect with other travelers! You might be able to find some buddies to enjoy the fiestas with or perhaps rent a boat together to see the Balleneras!
Cheers, Happy Independence Cartagena, and Felices Fiestas!
