Black and White Carnival

Carnaval de Negros y Blancos

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Carnival & ParadePasto

DatesDates TBA · Usually JanuaryCheck locally before booking

Duration6 daysListed event span

Crowd-Public scale varies

Best forMasks, paradesThe carnival's explicit two-day structure

LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: COP

CategoryCarnival & ParadeFestival type

The story

Black and White Carnival in Pasto

Pasto's Carnaval de Negros y Blancos runs January 2nd to 7th with two consecutive symbolic days, painting faces black for Juego de Negritos and covering crowds in white cornstarch for the Day of the Whites, alongside elaborate artisan-built parade floats recognized by UNESCO in 2009 as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

A carnival split cleanly into two named days, one for playing with black and one for playing with white, gives Pasto's Carnaval de Negros y Blancos its structure and its name, celebrated each year from January 2nd to 7th in this southern Colombian city near the Ecuadorian border.

Your trip starts here

What is special

The part that makes it specific.

The place changes

The carnival's explicit two-day structure, one day of black paint and one of white powder, each with distinct, documented historical origins tied to enslaved people's customs and a 1912 friendship tradition respectively, is a symbolic framework not replicated at other Latin American carnivals

The mystery stays covered

UNESCO's 2009 citation specifically credits the celebration with promoting equality and coexistence through universal participation in both colours regardless of background

The city starts moving

The large-scale parade floats are built by dedicated local artisan workshops working months in advance, giving Pasto's carnival a float-construction tradition comparable in scale and craft investment to major carnival cities much larger than Pasto itself

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The carnival divides into the Juego de Negritos

Water and renewal

Living ritual

when participants apply black cosmetic paste to each other's faces

The sacred route

Living ritual

and the Day of the Whites

The local code

Living ritual

when crowds cover one another in white cornstarch or talcum powder

Tradition 5

Living ritual

alongside a parade of large artisan-built floats

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually January

Getting around

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

What to wear

Wear old clothes you are prepared to have permanently stained with paint or powder, and bring a light jacket, since Pasto's Andean elevation keeps January temperatures noticeably cooler than...

Safety

Keep valuables light, set a meeting point, and give processions room to move.

Where to stay

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

Tickets/cost

Many carnival moments are public, but confirm paid areas or stands before travel.

Language/currency

COP

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map1.21 N, 77.28 W Open in Google Maps

Pasto, Narino, Colombia

Nearest airportPSO — Antonio Nariño

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

Stay areaStay near workable transport in Pasto, 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 Pasto via local transport.Search routes Find a place to stayStays near Pasto, close enough for the event-day route.Browse stays Find flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for January.Compare fares Festival gearWear old clothes you are prepared to have permanently stained with paint or powder, and bring a light jacket, since Pasto's Andean elevation keeps January temperatures noticeably cooler than Colombia's coast.Shop the kit Check visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for Colombia and apply online.Check entry rules Travel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Black and White Carnival?

Black and White Carnival is listed for Past edition: 2–7 January 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Black and White Carnival take place?

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

How long should I plan for?

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

Is a source linked?

Needs editorial review. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Pasto, Narino, 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 URLAwaiting confirmation

Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →

Listed datesDates TBA · Usually January

Source statusNeeds editorial review

Spotted something out of date? Submit a correction →

Black and White Carnival

Black and White Carnival in Pasto

The part that makes it specific.

The place changes

The mystery stays covered

The city starts moving

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Water and renewal

The sacred route

The local code

Tradition 5

Essential information

When to go

Getting around

What to wear

Safety

Where to stay

Tickets/cost

Language/currency

Family friendly

Pasto, Narino, Colombia

Your Trip Starts Here

Quick answers.

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

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