Cali, Colombia, is hosting the 30th Festival Petronio Álvarez, which according to official reports runs from August 8 to August 17, 2026. In some sources, the start date is indicated as August 9 or 10, so it is important for travelers to check the specific day of the desired program before visiting.
The main event of the festival takes place at Ciudadela Petronio Álvarez on the grounds of Unidad Deportiva Alberto Galindo in Cali. According to one of the official/semi-official descriptions, the main Ciudadela operates from August 12 to 17, while separate materials list the entire festival cycle from August 9 to 17.
The organizers describe the program as a combination of music, traditional cuisine, indigenous drinks, crafts, and the heritage of Afro-Pacific communities. Sources also note that entry to the festival is free, but food, drinks, and products inside the venue are paid for separately.
The opening events include Petronito at Teatro al Aire Libre Los Cristales on Saturday, August 8, and Desfile de Colonias, which starts at 4:00 PM from Calle 5 and ends at Ciudadela Petronio Álvarez. Reports also mention that over 1,600 people from 23 Colombian Pacific colonies participate in the march.
For travelers, this means it is worth allocating time for various locations within Cali: the southern part of the city near Unidad Deportiva Alberto Galindo for the main program and other venues for pre-festival events. Due to discrepancies in dates in different publications, it is most reliable to refer to the official daily schedule of the specific event before heading out.