Folklore Means Celebration in Santa Marta, Historical Events Makes Big Parties.

Folklore, history and beliefs play a very important role in Santa Marta and Colombia. Religious holidays and festivals are traditional along with music and dance. There are many national holidays that take place in Colombia and also many local festivals. On a lighter note Colombians are party animals and know how to enjoy life, they are conservative with their traditions but also liberal in their late night music and parties and raves.

Public Holidays in Colombia

January 1 New Year's Day (Año Nuevo) Religious Holiday
January 6* -11 Epiphany (Día de los Reyes Magos) Religious Holiday
March 19* -22 Saint Joseph's Day (Día de San José) Religious Holiday
March 28 Holy Week Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday (Jueves Santo) and Good Friday (Viernes Santo) Religious Holiday
May 1 Labor Day (Primero de Mayo) Civic Holiday
Sunday May 13*- 17 Ascension of Jesus (Ascensión) Religious Holiday
June 3*-7 Corpus Christi Religious Holiday
June 11* -14 Sacred Heart (Sagrado Corazón) Religious Holiday
July 29*-5 Saint Peter and Saint Paul (San Pedro y San Pablo) Religious Holiday
July 20 Independence Day Civic Holiday
August 7 Battle of Boyacá Civic Holiday
August 15*-16 Assumption of Mary (La Asunción) Religious Holiday
October 12* -18 Columbus Day (Día de la Raza) Civic Holiday
November 1* -1 All Saints’ Day Religious Holiday
November 11* -15 Independence of Cartagena Civic Holiday
December 8 Immaculate Conception La Inmaculada Concepción Religious Holiday
December 25 Christmas Day (Navidad) Religious Holiday
* Asterisk indicates holidays that are celebrated on the following Monday showing the date that the holiday falls on and the date of the following Monday.

Did you know that the people of Colombia are typically rated as among the happiest people in the world. When you experience Colombia you will understand why.

Santa Marta and Area Festivals

January 20 The Cayman Festivals (Ciénaga Grande.
February Carnival in Barranquilla, UNESCO Masterpiece of Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity This is a huge party in Barranquilla with parades, dances, music.
April Municipal Anniversary in Aracataca
April The River Fesival Aracataca
Sunday May 9 Mothers Day
Sunday June 20 Fathers Day
July 20 Festival of the Unedited Song in Aracataca.
July 29 August 2 Festival of the Sea (Fiesta del Mar), (July 29 is the anniversary of Santa Marta) A mid year festival that takes place during the vacation period. There are beauty pageants, parades, a jet ski show and parties throughout the city.
June Santa Marta Festival of the CumbiaA music and folk dance festival that takes place in the city of Cienaga and celebrates Colombia's independence. Originally performed by slaves during courtship and has evolved over time to a more modern form.

If you are traveling to Santa Marta to join in the celebrations make sure you book ahead for a place to stay as the local area will become crowded. There are also many more festivals within 100 miles including smaller Barranquilla festivals and also many in Cartagena also based on the history and folklore of the area.

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