Manizales Fair

Feria de Manizales

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Food & DrinkManizales
DatesDates TBA · Usually JanuaryCheck locally before booking
Duration11 daysListed event span
CrowdMediumAbout 400,000 people
Best forRegional food & drinkThe fair's direct modelling on Spain's Feria
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: COP
CategoryFood & DrinkFestival type
The story

Manizales Fair in Manizales

Founded in January 1951 and modelled on Seville's Feria de Abril, the Manizales Fair combines a major bullfighting season drawing international matadors with the Reinado Internacional del Cafe coffee queen pageant, first held in 1957, across roughly two weeks of music and cultural programming in Colombia's coffee-region heartland.

A trip to see Seville's April Fair gave Oscar Hoyos Botero the idea, in January 1951, to bring a comparable celebration to Manizales, the coffee-region city he helped launch into what has become one of Colombia's largest annual cultural events.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

The fair's direct modelling on Spain's Feria de Abril, adapted over decades into a specifically Andean and coffee-region Colombian format, gives it a traceable transnational origin unusual among Colombia's major regional fairs

02

The mystery stays covered

The Reinado Internacional del Cafe structures its pageant around coffee-producing countries and regions rather than individual contestants alone, tying the competition explicitly to Manizales's identity within Colombia's coffee axis

03

The city starts moving

Drawing bullfighters from Spain, France, Peru and Mexico to open the national bullfighting calendar gives Manizales a specifically international bullfighting significance beyond a purely local or regional season

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The fair's bullfighting season draws matadors from multiple countries to open Colombia's national bullfighting calendar

Water and renewal

Living ritual

while the Reinado Internacional del Cafe crowns a coffee queen representing coffee-producing countries and regions

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually January

Getting around

Use Manizales transport around the venue or route first; event-day controls can change normal timing.

What to wear

Bring a layer for cool Andean evenings, since Manizales sits at altitude and January nights are noticeably cooler than Colombia's coast; smart-casual dress suits formal bullfighting and...

Safety

For Manizales Fair, keep the basics simple: small bag, charged phone, meeting point and respect for crowd controls.

Where to stay

Stay near workable transport in Manizales, especially if the event runs late or streets close.

Tickets/cost

Entry may be free while tastings, meals, or special tables are paid locally.

Language/currency

COP

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map5.07 N, 75.52 WOpen in Google Maps

Manizales, Caldas, Colombia

Nearest airportMDE — Jose Maria Córdova
TransportUse Manizales transport around the venue or route first; event-day controls can change normal timing.
Stay areaStay near workable transport in Manizales, especially if the event runs late or streets close.

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 Manizales via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Manizales, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for January.Compare faresFestival gearBring a layer for cool Andean evenings, since Manizales sits at altitude and January nights are noticeably cooler than Colombia's coast; smart-casual dress suits formal bullfighting and pageant events, while casual clothing works for the wider free programme.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 Manizales Fair?

Manizales Fair is listed for Past edition: 2–12 January 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Manizales Fair take place?

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

How long should I plan for?

11 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?

Manizales, Caldas, Colombia

How big is it?

Medium: 400000

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 URLferiademanizales.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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