28 Apr – 1 May 2027
Festival de la Leyenda Vallenata 2027: Dates, Valledupar Guide and Tips
Colombia · Valledupar
Festival de la Leyenda Vallenata 2027 in Valledupar, reported for 28 Apr-1 May. Accordion contests, where to stay and how to get there.
Event details
- Date
- 28 Apr – 1 May 2027
- Location
- Colombia, Valledupar
- Official website
- festivalvallenato.com/
The Festival de la Leyenda Vallenata is the main celebration of vallenato, the accordion-led folk music of Colombia’s Caribbean north. It is held every year in Valledupar, capital of Cesar department, and it crowns champions in accordion, original song and the verbal duel known as piqueria. The 2027 edition will be the 60th. La Republica reported in September 2026 that it will run from 28 April to 1 May 2027, built around six decades of contests and musicians rather than a single honoured artist (La Republica). We could not find the dates on the organiser’s site, so confirm with the festival foundation before booking.
What happens
The core of the festival is competition: the Rey de Reyes in professional accordion, the unpublished vallenato song contest and piqueria mayor. The 60th edition is also expected to add a Reina de Reinas competition. Alongside the contests, expect street parades, concerts in Plaza Alfonso Lopez, and informal parrandas (jam sessions) in courtyards and bars across the city. Many of the best moments happen outside the official programme.
Getting to Valledupar
Alfonso Lopez airport (VUP) has flights from Bogota with Avianca and LATAM, and prices rise for the festival. Overland, Bogota is around 16 hours by bus, while Santa Marta and Barranquilla are the nearest coastal cities. Valledupar is hot, with daytime temperatures often above 33 degrees Celsius in April, so plan for sun, water and light clothing.
Where to stay and what to book
Valledupar has a limited stock of hotels, and the festival fills them. Book months ahead and search Valledupar hotels for your dates. Valledupar has no dedicated GetYourGuide city page, so browse tours near Valledupar and the wider Caribbean region, or pair the trip with Santa Marta and the Caribbean coast. Read our Colombia in April guide and our Colombia festivals calendar.
Plan your trip
- Hotels in Valledupar: rooms near the event fill early, so book ahead.
- Tours near Valledupar: regional experiences to fill the days around the event.
- Colombia travel insurance: cover for peak-season trips.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is the Vallenato Festival 2027?
- Press reports from September 2026 say the 60th edition will run 28 April to 1 May 2027 in Valledupar. The foundation had not confirmed this on its website when we checked, so verify before booking.
- How do I get to Valledupar?
- Fly to Alfonso Lopez airport (VUP), served by Avianca and LATAM from Bogota. Buses from Bogota take around 16 hours. Santa Marta and Barranquilla are the nearest coastal cities.
- Do I need to book accommodation early?
- Yes. Valledupar is small and hotels fill and raise prices for festival week. Book several months ahead, or consider staying in nearby towns.
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