International Bandola Llanera Festival

Festival Internacional de la Bandola Llanera

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MusicMani
DatesDates TBA · Usually JanuaryCheck locally before booking
DurationAnnualEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forLive music, late nightsMani's status as home to the world's largest
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: COP
CategoryMusicFestival type
The story

International Bandola Llanera Festival in Mani

Mani, self-styled capital of the llanera bandola and home to the world's largest monument to the instrument, has run this festival annually since 1983 in honour of Pedro Florez, born there in 1930 and considered Colombia's greatest bandola player. Held each January as a prelude to the town's own patron saint festivities, it draws folk voice, poetry and dance competitors from across the Colombia-Venezuela plains region.

Mani, a Casanare municipality that calls itself the capital of the llanera bandola and hosts the largest monument in the world to the instrument, traces its festival tradition to 1944, when a tribute was held for Nieves Florez, then a 107-year-old dancer, marking an early recognition of the town's connection to plains music and dance.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Mani's status as home to the world's largest monument to the bandola llanera, alongside its self-declared title as the instrument's capital, gives this festival a documented physical and cultural anchor that few single-instrument festivals elsewhere can claim

02

The mystery stays covered

Its founding in honour of a specific named musician, Pedro Florez, born in the town itself, ties the event directly to one performer's biography rather than an abstract genre tradition

03

The city starts moving

Drawing competitors from Venezuela alongside multiple Colombian departments reflects the bandola llanera tradition's genuinely binational reach across the shared plains region

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The festival centres on competitive performance for the bandola llanera

Water and renewal

Living ritual

a four-string instrument central to joropo

The sacred route

Living ritual

judged across original folk voice

The local code

Living ritual

musical passages

Tradition 5

Living ritual

poetry and paired dance categories

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually January

Getting around

For International Bandola Llanera Festival, plan transport around the exact Mani venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.

What to wear

Light, breathable clothing suits Casanare's warm plains climate for daytime outdoor events; evenings cool only slightly, so a light layer is optional. Comfortable shoes help given the...

Safety

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

Where to stay

For International Bandola Llanera Festival, stay near the part of Mani you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

Tickets/cost

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

Language/currency

COP

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map4.82 N, 72.28 WOpen in Google Maps

Mani, Casanare, Colombia

Nearest airportEYP — El Alcaravan - Yopal
TransportFor International Bandola Llanera Festival, plan transport around the exact Mani venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.
Stay areaFor International Bandola Llanera Festival, stay near the part of Mani you will actually use, with reliable return transport.

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 Mani via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Mani, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for January.Compare faresFestival gearLight, breathable clothing suits Casanare's warm plains climate for daytime outdoor events; evenings cool only slightly, so a light layer is optional. Comfortable shoes help given the standing involved in following outdoor stages and horseback activities.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 International Bandola Llanera Festival?

International Bandola Llanera Festival is listed for January. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does International Bandola Llanera Festival take place?

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

How long should I plan for?

Annual 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?

Mani, Casanare, 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 URLcasanare.gov.co
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually January
Source statusOfficial source linked
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