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One of the most important yearly events in the Coffee Axis, the 64th Feria de Manizales in 2020 is the oldest city festival of its type in South America.

We are going to introduce the history and then present our top event recommendations so you can plan your visit! #FeriaDeManizales2020

Be sure to LIKE and follow us at Coffee Axis Travel FACEBOOK for our LIVE reports during the event! Comment to let us know what you want to see!

This event program guide is brought to you by Mr. Tango Dance Academy & Social Salon - the Casa Cultural of Tango in the city of Manizales, Colombia!

History & Culture

Manizales is a strange sort of place. They forged their identity as a city of culture and thought long before they became a bonafide city. In 1955, when the first Feria de Manizales was first held, a local shaker and mover had been in the fairs of Sevilla and came back very impressed and convinced that Manizales should have their own celebration.

Today it continues as one of the top events in Colombia. The most talked about events this year are Tangovia, Battle Cars, Artisan Fair, Concerts, and more!!! Here are our recommendations if you are planning to attend - and links to the original event programming as well.

Obviously, not everything is listed here - we will continue to update our information as the fair approaches. These are our top pick events for visitors who want to plan ahead!

64th Feria de Manizales 2020

Coffee Axis Travel has created our own plan and recommended itinerary for people who plan to visit. We have hand-picked the events and concerts which we feel our audience will appreciate and connect with the most. The dates and times displayed below are also a reflection of our planned event coverage.

Be sure to tune into our FACEBOOK PAGE during the listed hours to catch our live coverage!

Tangovia Manizales - Events and Milongas - January 9th - 11th, 2020

One of the top events this year is the Tangovia. The best dancers on a local and national level will come together Thursday, Friday and Saturday during the Feria de Manizales 2020. Couples will compete for the championship title of the Manizales + Tangovia in Tango de Salon, Choreographic groups and Escenario (Show Tango). Where: Parque Ernesto Gutierrez When: January 9 - 11th, 2020 at 6:00 PM and onward on Thurs, Fri & Sat.

Mr Tango Academy & Social Salon presents the biggest tango parties with performances by professional dance couples will be happening every night of the fair with special emphasis on Wednesday, January the 8th at 8:00 PM and Saturday the 11th, after the Tangovia championship is over.

Insider Tip: Saturday night at MR. TANGO will be the biggest afterparty of the week! Don't miss it!

Where: Mr. Tango Dance Academy & Social Salon When: Every Night - Shows at 5:00 PM and 10:00 PM, open to the public. Our Top Pick: The Grand Milonga on Saturday following the final round of the Tangovia championship.

Come learn more about a culture which has more than 100 years in the coffee axis. Call or WhatsApp 312 794 8245 for more information, or to book our exclusive Tango Tour!

Folkloric Dance and Music Festival

Traditional dance and music. Cultural Event On Monday night, a free event at Teatro Fundadores. You must pick up a FREE ticket prior at the theater ticket stand. When: Monday January 6th @ 7:00 PM

Carretas de Rocio Parade

A traditional parade where the beauty queens will be riding on special cars two at a time like the picture below. Where: Zona Rosa (Cable Plaza) to Plaza Bolivar (el Centro) When: 10:00 Am - 12:30 PM

Freestyle Football World Championship - Sunday, January 5th

The biggest world champions and national competitors of freestyle football, a sport involving the balance and manipulation of a soccer ball in a synchronized ballet of talent. Some of the big names which are participating include the Red Bull Street Style champion 'Boyka' Ortiz, Current World Champion from Brazil - Ricardinho, and Reserve Champion 'Charly' of Argentina.

Where: Coliseo Mayor Jorge Arango Uribe (Near Cable Plaza/Zona Rosa) When: Sunday, January 5th @ 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM (Arrive at 2 or 3:00 PM)

Urban Dance Competition - Friday Jan 10th

Dance-off between national Urban Dance professionals and aficionados. Where: Plaza Bolivar @ 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Artisan Fair - All Week

High quality artisan crafts from all over Colombia will be available in what is one of the most important artisan fairs of its type on a national level. Wear your comfortable walking shoes.

Expect to spend at least 3-4 hours wandering through high quality displays of Aguadeño Hats, Wool ponchos from Boyaca, Silk from Anserma, Caldas, Indigenous Silver/Filigree Silver Jewelry, Local Organic Foods, Wood Crafts from Pensilvania, Caldas and Woven Baskets from El Choco. These are only a tiny glimpse of the wonders you will find.

Where: ExpoFerias When: Saturday, January 4th until Sunday, January 12th, 2020 from 12:00 PM - 7:00 PM. Cost: 10-15,000 COP Entrance Fee Advice: Bring 200,000 - 500,000 COP spending $$ - Best Souvenirs!!

Battle Racing - All Week

Get your hands on some fueled action as you pit your driving skills against your Colombian compadres. Small groups of drivers get 8 loops around the track to try to win the title or knock out the competition. Tip: Each kart has a button and a small screen. Watch for power ups and traps to leave for your opponents. Imagine Mario Karts in real life and buckle up!

Update: We went, we saw, we were not impressed. The stadium where it is being held has no air conditioning whatsoever and the black sheeting covering the windows is only making it hotter. Also the cars seem to go excruciatingly slow.

Where: Coliseo Menor Ramon Marin Vargas - near Cable Plaza When: All Week @ 11:00 AM - 7:00 PM Cost: FREE

Manizales Gourmet - January 9th -12th (Thurs/Fri/Sat/Sun)

Top restaurants, food trucks and local food producers will be gathered all together in one place for Manizales Gourmet. Bring your appetite! This is a great way to discover new or up-and-coming gastronomy in Manizales. In the late afternoon and evening each day will feature different groupings of music ranging from reggaeton, musica popular and salsa.

Where: Bosque Popular del Prado Cost: 12,100 Our Top Pick: Thursday Event - featuring the stars of Yo Me Llamo at What Time: 3:00 PM until 12:00 AM+

Manizales Bullfighting - Temporada Taurina - Jan 5 - 11th, 2020

In what continues to be the most controversial event of the Feria de Manizales 2020, welcome to the Colombian rodeo! Bullfights will be held from Saturday to Saturday. Thursday is the Festival de Toros - Saturday is the Final Event.

Where: Plaza de Toros Our Top Pick: Thursday - Festival de Toros @ 7:30 PM - each event starts at the same time. Cost: Starting at 58,000 - 500,000+ COP depending on seating.

Insider Tip: Be sure to check out the Exposition Taurina at Teatro Fundadores during the fair. Open to the public. Cost: FREE Art Expo: Experience the art that is inspired by the culture of the bullfights. When: Jan 4 - 12th Where: Teatro Fundadores

Miss International Queen of Coffee

Nothing can be as harmonious as beauty and a good cup of coffee. That is exactly what we will get to see during the beauty pageant of the Feria de Manizales 2020. With more than 20 participating countries we will be able to witness exotic women from around the world. Hashtag: #MissInternationalQueenOfCoffee2020

Interesting Fact: Brazil is the top title holder of this pageant having won 8 crowns in the 49 year history of the pageant.

Beauty Queen Parade - January 5th @ 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM, El Cable (el Centro) to Zona Rosa/Cable Plaza Tip: Best viewing spots are Parque Fundadores or Zona Rosa (Juan Valdez)

Nevados Visit - Where they go to the mountains January 6th @6:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Where: Various Locations - TBA Our Top Pick: The Beauty Queen Parade When: TBA

Grand Firework Display

One of the top evening events during the Feria de Manizales 2020 - is the Grand Firework Display. Anyone who is staying near el Cable/Cable Plaza/Zona Rosa part of the city should plan to attend this event.

When: Tuesday, January 7th at 9:00 PM

Insider Tip: The best place to view the Fireworks will be from the terrace of Caferatto inside Pranha Centro Empresarial (behind Arturo Calle). Bring your camera!

Our Top Concert Picks

While there will be a variety of artists performing in the Feria de Manizales. We picked a little bit of everything! Our top picks are the following:

Herencia de Timbiqui (Pacific Folkloric Music/Afrodescendancy) When: Sunday, January 5th, 2020 @7:00 PM - 3:00 AM Where: Fondas y Arrieras Near U. Caldas Cost: Buy Ticket

ChocQuibTown (Pacific R&B Music - Afrodescendancy) Pasabordo (Reggaeton) Ancizar y Sebastián Yepes (pop-rock). When: Tuesday, January 7th Where: Plaza de Bolivar Cost: FREE

Alci Acosta (Bolero, Pasillo, Corrido, Vals, Ranchera) y Lady Yuliana (Regional Mexican) When: Wednesday, January 8th Where: Plaza de Bolivar

Yeison Jiménez (Musica Popular Colombiano) y Jhon Álex Castaño (Despecho) When: Thursday, January 9th Where: Plaza de Bolivar

Guayacan Orquesta (Salsa), Grupo Niche (Salsa) y Luigi Rodriguez (Salsa, Manizales Roots) When: Friday, January 10th Where: Plaza de Bolivar

Local Entrepreneur Fair #SupportLocal

In this event you will be able to learn about up and coming startups in Manizales. Learn about new products and services from local residents. Support them in their quest for independence and success!

When: Every day, January 4th - 12th from 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM Cost: FREE Where: Centro Comercial San Cancio - Palermo

Stay with us as we will be updating this event programming as the fair gets closer. These are the top events we felt that foreign visitors would find interesting.

Children's Events - Shows & Attractions

For families who are traveling or parents with children, Parque Los Yarumos will be hosting a series of special events. Park activities include Jungle Gyms, forest walking paths, infant/toddler child zones and larger child activities. Teen activities include zip line with rope bridge, dart throwing, human slingshot etc. During the fair there will be special hands on activities, shows and concerts for children and teens.

Where: Parque Los Yarumos When: Jan 4 - 12th @ 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Cost: FREE

Horse Parade - Cabalgata

You will either gravitate to this event or away from it. The Cabalgata, is a horse parade tradition featuring horse aficionados and lovers who bring or rent Paso Fino and Criollo horses to ride down the main avenues of the city. The biggest issue is whether people are caring properly for their horses, accidents and abuse has happened making this one of the more controversial events.

When: Saturday January 4th @ 11:30 AM - 7:00 PM Where: El Centro to El Cable/Zona Rosa

Stay Connected

Our Live Videos: https://www.facebook.com/coffeeaxistravel/

Official Feria de Manizales Info: https://www.facebook.com/feriamanizales/

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