This year’s Desfile de Silleteros 2025 was an unforgettable display of artistry and culture. From the vibrant floats to the dedication of the silleteros, the parade spectacularly celebrated Medellín’s heritage. Our blog will take you back to the heart of the festival, sharing the best photos, exclusive stories, and a detailed recap of the most magnificent Flower Parade yet. Relive the magic of this incredible cultural event with our special coverage.

Desfile de Silleteros 2025: Our Experience in Medellín’s Flower Parade

If you find yourself in Medellín during the Feria de las Flores, get ready for an experience you’ll never forget. The Desfile de Silleteros 2025 is more than just a parade; it’s the grand finale that truly captures the heart and soul of this vibrant festival. Hundreds of campesinos from Santa Elena proudly carry their handmade, intricate floral arrangements called “silletas” on their backs, turning the streets into a spectacular burst of color and culture. This event is a beautiful celebration of Paisa traditions and a tribute to the region’s deep bond with nature. To make sure you soak it all in, this guide has everything you need to enjoy the parade like a local, from essential info to insider tips.

What Was the Overall Takeaway from the Parade?

The Desfile de Silleteros 2025 marked a spectacular culmination of Medellín’s Feria de las Flores, drawing thousands of visitors, both locals and foreigners, to witness this vivid expression of Paisa culture. Among the 540 silleteros who proudly carried their intricately designed flower arrangements were 430 adults, 100 youths, and children with neurodiversities participating for the first time, highlighting the parade’s inclusiveness and evolving tradition. The parade stretched across 2.5 kilometers from Puente de Guayaquil along well-known city arteries such as Calle San Juan and Avenida del Ferrocarril, concluding at Plaza Mayor Medellín.

This edition was notable for the participation of the young and neurodivergent flower bearers, wearing new traditional costumes symbolizing both heritage and renewal. The total spectator count exceeded 300,000, with many attending for free along the route and others enjoying the event from reserved seats in grandstands, which were mainly booked through local tour agencies. The logistical arrangements facilitated a festive yet orderly atmosphere, helping visitors, including many first-time expats, to immerse themselves smoothly in the event’s communal spirit.

The parade not only enchanted attendees with a flamboyant display of color and craftsmanship but also revealed deeper moments of cultural pride and unity, such as the collective singing of the Antioquia anthem, a highlight for many who felt connected to the city’s rich traditions. The dedication and passion of the silleteros, each carrying silletas symbolizing history, family, and identity, created a unique emotional resonance beyond mere spectacle.

Among the competitors, Juan Pablo Sánchez Martínez was named the absolute winner, securing top honors in the monumental category with a stunning silleta that combined artistry and cultural narrative. Winners were also announced across various categories, traditional, emblematic, artistic, commercial, junior, and infantil, showcasing a broad spectrum of talent and creativity from the Silletero community.

Despite inevitable challenges such as Medellín’s sudden rain showers and the high volume of attendees that tested crowd management, many expats remarked on the parade’s overall smooth coordination, thanks partly to agency-led tours that arranged transport and ensured access. Observations included suggestions for enhancing attendee comfort, like covering grandstand seating to protect against the weather, which could make future visits even more enjoyable.

This blending of vibrant tradition with professional event management left a lasting impression on foreign visitors. Many described the Silleteros Parade not simply as a show but as a profound cultural experience that is essential to genuinely understanding Medellín and its people. For expats exploring their new home or curious travelers visiting Colombia, the parade offers an unmatched window into Paisa pride, resilience, and artistry, a true highlight of the Medellín Flower Festival.

How Did a First-Timer's Expectations Compare to the Desfile de Silleteros 2025?

For someone stepping into the city’s colorful flower tradition for the first time, the experience was overwhelmingly positive. They gave the event an 8 out of 10, reflecting a genuinely memorable time filled with vibrant sights and heartfelt moments.

Overall, the first-timer’s openness paid off, turning the Desfile de Silleteros into a genuine cultural encounter rather than just a visual spectacle. This balance between expectation and reality is something many newcomers can relate to, making their experience all the richer.

What Were the Biggest Challenges at the Desfile de Silleteros 2025?

The Desfile de Silleteros 2025 was a vibrant and unforgettable celebration, filled with colorful displays and deep cultural significance. However, attendees encountered several challenges that are valuable to consider for future visitors so they can better manage their expectations and plan accordingly.

A primary challenge was the unpredictable weather typical of Medellín. Rapid changes in conditions impacted the event experience, especially since there were no rain covers installed in the paid grandstand areas. When sudden showers occurred, many spectators in these ticketed zones found themselves exposed and soaked, detracting from their comfort during the parade. This highlighted the need for better weather preparedness both by organizers and attendees.

Crowd size and logistics also posed significant difficulties. The number of tickets sold appeared to exceed comfortable capacity, leading to overcrowding, particularly in the ticketed grandstands. This intense density affected attendees’ ability to fully enjoy the event and created a stressful atmosphere during peak moments.

Additionally, exiting the parade proved to be a complex issue. The combination of large crowds and inclement weather complicated travel plans after the event concluded. Finding transportation became challenging as attendees navigated congested streets and long waits, underscoring that while the parade route is well designed for the procession itself, the post-event crowd dispersal required improvements.

How Did the Weather Impact the Experience?

One of the key challenges of the Desfile de Silleteros 2025 was the unpredictable weather typical of Medellín. Known as the “City of Eternal Spring,” Medellín experiences mild temperatures year-round but also has distinct rainy seasons, particularly from April to May and again from September to November. During these periods, rainfall tends to occur mostly in short but often intense afternoon showers that can catch visitors off guard.

At the 2025 parade, many spectators faced discomfort due to the absence of rain protection in the paid grandstand areas. When sudden showers passed through, those uncovered seating found themselves exposed and soaked, revealing a lack of adequate preparation for Medellín’s rapidly changing weather patterns. This served as a reminder that even in a city famous for its generally sunny climate, attendees need to be ready for quick shifts in weather conditions.

What Were the Difficulties with Crowds and Logistics?

nother significant challenge during the Desfile de Silleteros 2025 was the overwhelming size of the crowd. Reports indicated that ticket sales exceeded the comfortable capacity of the venue, especially in the ticketed grandstand areas. This overcapacity led to a feeling of overcrowding, which diminished the overall comfort and enjoyment for many attendees. The dense crowds made it difficult to move freely, creating a more stressful environment than anticipated.

Exiting the event also proved problematic. The combination of heavy rain and huge numbers of people caused major congestion, complicating efforts to leave the parade route quickly and safely. Although the parade route itself was thoughtfully planned to accommodate large crowds during the procession, the exit logistics did not effectively manage the dispersal of attendees afterward. This mismatch resulted in bottlenecks and long waits, heightening frustration among participants.

For future visitors, proper planning for departure is essential. Considering alternative transportation options, allowing extra time for leaving the event, and remaining patient during peak exit periods can greatly alleviate stress and avoid getting trapped in crowds.

What Advice Does a First-Timer Have for Next Year?

Looking ahead to next year’s Desfile de Silleteros, our interviewee shared some practical tips to help future attendees make the most of the experience:

Buy Tickets from Authorized Sellers:
To avoid scams, always purchase tickets through companies officially authorized by the city.
Bring Cash:
Many vendors along the route don’t accept cards, so having cash on hand makes buying food, drinks, or souvenirs easier.
Be Weather-Ready:
Medellín’s weather can be unpredictable; pack an umbrella and sunscreen to stay comfortable, no matter what.
Dress Comfortably:
Opt for casual, comfortable clothes like jeans and sneakers since you’ll likely be walking or standing for hours.
Arrive Early:
Whether you’re hoping for a free spot along the route or have a ticket for the grandstands, getting there ahead of time is key to securing a good viewing place.

Medellin Guru's comprehensive Colombian culture series

In Medellin Guru, we love Colombia, and we usually write many blogs about Colombian culture, places to visit, and other tips for all expats to have a reliable guide and valuable and relevant information about Colombia. Read our blogs about Colombian Culture here:

Other things to see and do in Colombia

Caño Cristales – the most beautiful river in Colombia, which has also been called the most beautiful river in the world by some people.
Carnival in Barranquilla – the second largest carnival in the world.
Cartagena – Oozing history, romance and sun-drenched beaches, the allure of historical Cartagena is hard to resist.
Ciudad Perdida – the site of an ancient city in Colombia that is older than Machu Picchu in Peru.
Colombia’s Pacific coast – often overlooked by tourists visiting Colombia but offering untamed nature and undiscovered beauty that is off the beaten path for most foreign tourists.
Desierto de la Tatacoa – the second largest arid zone in Colombia is Tatacoa Desert, which has surreal desert landscapes and some of the best stargazing in Colombia.
Guatapé – a picturesque pueblo near Medellín known for its huge rock and lake. And it’s likely the most visited pueblo in Colombia by foreigners.
La Guajira Peninsula – one of the most visually stunning places in South America, which is located on the northern tip of Colombia where the desert meets the sea.
Las Lajas Sanctuary – the most beautiful church in Colombia, which has also been called the most beautiful church in the world.
Medellín’s Christmas lights – Medellín’s annual world-class Christmas lights known as Alumbrados Navideños.
Feria de Las Flores Medellin – Medellín’s world-famous flower festival each year.
Parque Nacional Natural Los Nevados – a popular national park in Colombia located in the heart of the Colombian coffee region.
Parque Tayrona – known for its beautiful beaches and the world’s highest coastal mountain range.
Popayán – a colonial gem in Colombia best known for its white buildings and churches, it’s a city off the beaten path for foreign tourists but is definitely worth visiting.
Rio Claro Nature Reserve – located about three hours from Medellín, Rio Claro is the perfect place to unplug from hectic daily life and enjoy a picturesque crystal-clear river, canyon and tropical rainforest.
Salento and the Cocora Valley – Salento is a picturesque pueblo in Colombia’s coffee region and the nearby Cocora Valley is one of the most striking landscapes found in Colombia.
San Agustín Archaeological Park – the largest group of pre-Columbian monuments and megalithic statues in South America and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
San Andrés – Colombia’s Caribbean island which is a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve featuring many beaches, islets and coral reefs that are filled with flora and fauna.
San Gil – Colombia’s adventure capital that is full of things to do including white water rafting, paragliding, caving, rappelling, hiking and much more.
San Jose del Guaviare – a hidden gem and eco-tourism location off the beaten path and offering wildlife watching, jungle trekking and delving into Colombia’s prehistoric past.

Medellin Guru Guides

Download the guide Colombia: a must-see destination from ProColombia with helpful information about Medellín and Colombia

The Bottom Line: Desfile de Silleteros 2025: Our Experience in Medellín’s Flower Parade

For many foreigners visiting Medellín, experiencing the Desfile de Silleteros is a true bucket-list moment, and the 2025 edition lived up to that expectation spectacularly. Supported by organized tours, first-time expats found the atmosphere electric and the event logistics impressively smooth, allowing them to immerse fully in the vibrant celebration without stress. While Medellín’s unpredictable weather posed minor challenges, these did little to dampen the spirit of the day, especially during moving moments like the spontaneous singing of the Antioquia anthem that united all attendees in pride and belonging.

With meticulous planning, excellent crowd management, and a powerful display of cultural passion by the silleteros themselves, the parade proved more than just a visual feast; it was a profound cultural experience that both locals and visitors alike can deeply appreciate. Joining the parade through an organized group was strongly recommended to ensure a seamless and unforgettable encounter with one of Colombia’s most cherished traditions.