Feria de las Flores 2026: Laureles is the perfect basecamp
Medellín's biggest week of the year — 200+ events, legendary parades, flowers everywhere. And here's the local secret: the main parade route runs right past this neighborhood.
The Feria de las Flores is Medellín distilled: ten days when the whole city celebrates its flower-growing heritage, its music and itself. The 2026 edition — the 69th — runs July 31 to August 9 with more than 200 events, over half of them free.
The dates that matter
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Fri, Jul 31 | Opening ceremony at the Obelisco — by the stadium sports complex, a short walk from La 70 |
| Sat, Aug 1 | Desfile Avenida Primavera (afternoon) |
| Sun, Aug 2 | Desfile de Chivas y Flores — the iconic painted party buses |
| Sun, Aug 9 | 69th Desfile de Silleteros — 530 flower farmers carrying their giant silletas; the festival's crown jewel |
The big parades run along Avenida Regional — the riverside corridor on the eastern edge of Laureles, right where Parques del Río sits. Translation: staying in Laureles puts you within walking distance of the main events, while sleeping far from the densest crowds.
Why Laureles beats Poblado for Feria week
- Walk to the parades: the Regional route is minutes away on foot or by Metro (Estadio / Floresta stations) — no fighting for taxis after the crowds disperse.
- The opening is basically in the neighborhood: the Obelisco sits next to the Atanasio Girardot complex on Laureles' edge.
- Fonda energy, local prices: Feria week on La 70 is the neighborhood at its absolute peak — flags, trova, aguardiente and dancing that doesn't stop.
- A calm bed: after the sensory overload, Laureles' leafy residential blocks are the recovery zone Poblado can't offer.
The silletero backstory (and the best day trip)
The silletas — those enormous flower displays carried on farmers' backs — come from Santa Elena, the flower-farming hills above the city. Visiting a silletero family farm before the big parade is one of the best experiences the festival offers, and the farms welcome visitors year-round. Details in our day trips guide.
Practical Feria advice
- Book your stay now. Feria week is the city's peak — see where to stay in Laureles and don't sleep on it.
- Arrive early for parade spots — locals stake out shade hours ahead. Bring water and sunscreen; August sun in the valley is honest.
- Crowds = phone discipline. The usual rules apply double during festivals: phone away in dense crowds.
- Fresh cut for Feria week? The neighborhood's barbershops will be busy — book ahead by WhatsApp.
- Want a private driver during Feria week? Our trusted local drivers run Guatapé and the Santa Elena flower farms — see the day trips guide.
Between events: you're in the best neighborhood in the city to fill the gaps — here's everything worth doing in Laureles.
Quick answers
When is Feria de las Flores 2026?
July 31 to August 9, 2026 — the 69th edition, with 200+ events across Medellín, more than half of them free.
When is the Desfile de Silleteros 2026?
Sunday, August 9, 2026 — 530 silleteros carrying their flower silletas, closing the festival along Avenida Regional.
Where should I stay for the Feria de las Flores?
Laureles is the ideal basecamp: the parade corridor runs along its riverside edge, Metro stations Estadio and Floresta connect everything, and the residential blocks stay calm at night.
Coming for the Feria?
Start with where to stay, then the guide to Laureles — your basecamp for the best week of the year.