Cartagena International Music Festival

Festival Internacional de Musica de Cartagena

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MusicCartagena
DatesDates TBA · Usually JanuaryCheck locally before booking
Duration9 daysListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forLive music, late nightsFounded by an internationally known harp
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: COP
CategoryMusicFestival type
The story

Cartagena International Music Festival in Cartagena

Founded in 2007 by harp maker and arts patron Victor Salvi with Julia Salvi, the Cartagena International Music Festival stages orchestral and chamber concerts in the city's colonial walled venues each January, curated since 2013 around a single thematic concept per edition, and has spun off a lasting Cartagena Symphony Orchestra and Colombian lutherie training programmes.

A harp maker and patron of the arts rather than a government agency is credited with founding Colombia's most important classical music festival: Victor Salvi, together with Julia Salvi, launched the first edition of the Cartagena International Music Festival in 2007 with the explicit goal of strengthening classical music development across the country.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Founded by an internationally known harp maker and arts patron rather than a government cultural agency, the festival carries a distinctly founder-driven institutional model unusual among Latin America's classical music festivals

02

The mystery stays covered

Its thematic curatorial structure since 2013, building each edition around one specific musicological concept explored across historical periods, sets its programming apart from festivals that simply book prominent soloists

03

The city starts moving

The lasting institutions it has generated, the Cartagena Symphony Orchestra and Colombian lutherie training programmes among them, mean the festival's impact persists as infrastructure beyond its annual concert dates

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

Symbols

Custom

Cartagena International Music Festival is documented as a recurring music festival in the Eventisimus atlas.

Participation

Calendar

Some moments are open to visitors; others belong to local participants. Follow barriers, steward instructions, and local etiquette.

Place memory

Place

The strongest version of the event is the one tied to Cartagena, not a generic copy of the same category elsewhere.

The local code

Meaning

Founded by an internationally known harp maker and arts patron rather than a government cultural agency, the festival carries a distinctly...

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually January

Getting around

Stay close enough to the part of Cartagena you will actually use, especially if the event runs late.

What to wear

Smart-casual to formal concert attire suits the indoor classical performances, with a light layer useful for air-conditioned venues; comfortable shoes still matter for walking between...

Safety

Keep phone power, water, and a clear meeting point sorted before the main crowd arrives.

Where to stay

For busy dates, stay near reliable routes so the return after Cartagena International Music Festival does not become the hardest part.

Tickets/cost

Ticketing varies by venue and stage. Confirm official passes before booking travel.

Language/currency

COP

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map10.40 N, 75.49 WOpen in Google Maps

Cartagena, Bolivar, Colombia

Nearest airportCTG — Rafael Nuñez
TransportStay close enough to the part of Cartagena you will actually use, especially if the event runs late.
Stay areaFor busy dates, stay near reliable routes so the return after Cartagena International Music Festival does not become the hardest part.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Cartagena via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Cartagena, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for January.Compare faresFestival gearSmart-casual to formal concert attire suits the indoor classical performances, with a light layer useful for air-conditioned venues; comfortable shoes still matter for walking between colonial-city venues in the January heat outside.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Colombia and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Cartagena International Music Festival?

Cartagena International Music Festival is listed for Past edition: 4–12 January 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Cartagena International Music Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Cartagena, Colombia. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

9 days is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Cartagena, Bolivar, Colombia

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLcartagenamusicfestival.com
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually January
Source statusOfficial source linked
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