Colombia National Day 2027
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About the event
The holiday is tied to civic ceremony, military parades and the wider independence campaign that culminated in the Battle of Boyacá in 1819. The date is remembered through the famous flower vase incident that sparked open political action.
The second largest carnival in the world after Rio — four days of cumbia, mapalé and vallenato music before Ash Wednesday.
Why this day
Colombia celebrates Independence Day on 20 July, marking the 1810 events in Bogotá that began the break from Spanish rule. The date is remembered through the famous flower vase incident that sparked open political action.
The holiday is tied to civic ceremony, military parades and the wider independence campaign that culminated in the Battle of Boyacá in 1819.
Today Bogotá hosts the main parade, while cities and towns mark the day with flags, concerts, family gatherings and Colombian food. Yellow, blue and red dominate streets and public buildings.
Timeline
- 1810Independence movement began in Bogotá
- 1819Battle of Boyacá secured independence
- 1886Republican constitution adopted
Key figures
Stay for the event
Check-in 19 Jul, check-out 21 Jul 2027 — 2 nights around 20 July 2027. Change the dates to stay longer.
AREA
Find stays in BogotáGetting there
- Celebratednationwide
- CapitalBogota
- Time zoneCOT (UTC-5)
Host country
- Currency: Colombian peso
- Language: Spanish
- Driving: on the right
- Capital: Bogota
- Phone: +57
- Emergency: 123
- Electricity: 120 V, 60 Hz, plugs A/B
What to eat
The Antioquian mountain platter — beans, rice, minced beef, chicharrón, fried egg, plantain, avocado and arepa on one plate.
Colombian corn cake — griddled, stuffed or topped with cheese and butter, eaten at every meal across the country.
Colombian hearty soup with chicken or beef, yuca, plantain and corn — made in large pots for family Independence Day gatherings.
Bogotá's famous potato soup with chicken, three types of Andean potato and guasca herbs — a highland classic.
Fried corn pastries filled with spiced potatoes and beef — sold at street stalls across Colombia for celebrations.
Poached figs with arequipe caramel and fresh cream — one of Colombia's most beloved traditional desserts.
What to drink
Colombian anise-flavoured sugarcane spirit — the national drink, consumed at parties and celebrations across the country.
Small black coffee — Colombia's signature drink consumed all day; coffee is the country's most important cultural export.
Blended lulo fruit drink from Cali — tangy, citrusy and bright green, served over ice.
Culture & traditions
The second largest carnival in the world after Rio — four days of cumbia, mapalé and vallenato music before Ash Wednesday.
Colombia's great music forms — vallenato (accordion ballads) is UNESCO-listed, cumbia is the root of Caribbean dance music.
Medellín's Festival de las Flores — silleteros carry massive flower arrangements on their backs in the world's most fragrant parade.
Fernando Botero's voluminous figures appear in Medellín's sculpture plaza — Colombia's most recognisable visual artist.
Coming years
Colombia National Day 2028
- Thursday 20 July 2028Next event date
Colombia National Day 2029
- Friday 20 July 2029Event date
Colombia National Day 2030
- Saturday 20 July 2030Event date