If you've ever wanted to see Cartagena at its most festive, November 2026 is the date to circle. Colombia's National Beauty Pageant — a 92-year-old institution that doubles as a cultural showcase — runs from November 5 to 17, and for the first stretch it steps outside its traditional home. The city of Ibague, capital of Tolima, kicks things off on November 5, hosting a traditional costume show the following day called "Así suena Colombia" (This Is How Colombia Sounds), celebrating the country's artisans and its many regional music styles. The 26 candidates, each representing a different region, then head to Cartagena de Indias on November 8 for the main programme.
That timing is no accident: the pageant deliberately overlaps with Cartagena's Independence celebrations, turning the walled old town into one long street party. Key moments include the Grand Independence Parade on November 12, the Independence Nautical Festival on November 13 — a nod to the city's maritime roots — and the Swimsuit and Primatela Elegance Show on November 15. The coronation of the new Señorita Colombia happens on November 16, with the event wrapping up on November 17. Organizers are also opening an online voting platform, so visitors can back a favourite candidate alongside the official judges.
This year's edition runs under the theme "Colombia, Land of Cultures," with the slogan "92 Years, More Than Beauty." Beyond the crowns and evening gowns, the emphasis is on regional traditions, crafts, music and the leadership of Colombian women — which is why splitting the programme between Ibague and Cartagena matters. It puts provincial heritage front and centre rather than keeping everything in the Caribbean showpiece.
For travellers, the pageant is really a backdrop to the bigger draw: Cartagena in full celebration mode. Expect parades, live music and crowds in the old town through mid-November, especially around the Independence dates. Book accommodation well ahead — the city fills up fast for this fortnight. If you can, tack on a few days before or after: the Caribbean coast is warm year-round, and the pageant period is a rare chance to see local pride and tradition on full display rather than a curated tourist version of it. If your dates allow, arriving in early November would let you catch the Ibague costume and music show too, a taste of inland Tolima that most visitors skip.
