Mompox Lights up with FestiJazz 2026 from September 1 to 5
Culture & Travel
Key Facts
- Dates. FestiJazz 2026 runs from September 1 to 5 in Mompox, Colombia.
- Main block. The core festival programme starts on Thursday, September 3.
- Headline venue. The Parque del Jazz hosts the inaugural concert on September 3.
- Food highlight. The Festival del Frito Momposino runs September 4 from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
- Closing event. The UNIBAC Gospel Concert takes place at Iglesia de Santa Bárbara on September 5.
FestiJazz 2026 Mompox brings five days of jazz, film, food, and crafts to one of Colombia’s most beautiful colonial towns from September 1 to 5.
Mompox, the riverside colonial gem in northern Colombia, will host FestiJazz 2026 from September 1 to 5. The festival mixes live jazz with film, literature, local food, and craft fairs across the town’s historic streets and plazas.
What Is FestiJazz 2026 Mompox?
FestiJazz is a cultural festival built around jazz music but expanded to include much more. The 2026 edition features concerts, exhibitions, literary workshops, and academic activities.
The first two days focus on satellite events in nearby towns. The main festival block in Mompox itself begins on Thursday, September 3.
Day-by-Day Guide: September 1 to 5
On September 1, the Bolívar LATE itinerant workshops on dance and music take place in Hatillo de Loba from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. These sessions are designed to bring cultural training to communities outside the main festival hub.
September 2 continues the Bolívar LATE programme with sessions in San Fernando starting at 9:00 a.m. and in Margarita from 2:00 p.m. That evening, the film *Paddington en Perú* screens at 7:00 p.m. in Plaza de San Francisco as a festival prelude.
September 3 is the big opening day in Mompox. Visitors can explore the Campamento de Jazz at Claustro San Agustín, the *Los colores del jazz* exhibition, literary workshops, Casa Marca Bolívar, and the Feria Artesanal y Gastronómica.
The day ends with the inaugural concert at the Parque del Jazz. This is the headline venue for the festival’s main musical performances.
September 4 brings Street Jazz performances across the town’s streets and plazas. The Festival del Frito Momposino runs from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Albarrada de los Portales de la Marquesa.
September 5 closes the festival with the UNIBAC Gospel Concert at Iglesia de Santa Bárbara. A Marca Bolívar fashion parade and other closing cultural events round out the final day.
The Classic Mompox Experience
Between events, visitors should walk the Albarrada and the colonial centre. Mompox is a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its well-preserved Spanish colonial architecture.
The Iglesia de Santa Bárbara is one of the town’s most iconic churches. Its distinctive bell tower is a symbol of Mompox and worth a visit even outside festival hours.
Local gastronomy is a major draw during the festival. The food fair and the Festival del Frito Momposino offer a direct taste of regional cooking traditions.
Why This Matters for Visitors and Investors
Cultural tourism is a growing economic driver for Colombia’s smaller heritage towns. Festivals like FestiJazz bring visitors, spending, and media attention to places that often sit outside the main tourist circuits.
For expats and investors watching Colombia’s regional economies, events like this signal local government investment in culture and infrastructure. They also highlight the tourism potential of the Bolívar department beyond Cartagena.
Mompox has long been a destination for travellers seeking a quieter, more authentic Colombian experience. FestiJazz adds a modern cultural layer to that appeal.
Planning Your Visit
Mompox is not the easiest place to reach, which is part of its charm. Most visitors arrive by road from Cartagena or other regional hubs, and the journey takes several hours.
Accommodation in Mompox ranges from small colonial guesthouses to boutique hotels. Booking early for festival dates is wise, as the town’s lodging stock is limited.
The festival schedule has some variation in other coverage, with some outlets placing events on different September dates. The Caracol agenda specifically matches the September 1 to 5 window used here.
What to Watch Next
The inaugural concert on September 3 will set the tone for the festival’s musical programme. Jazz fans should keep an eye on the Parque del Jazz schedule for headline acts.
The closing events on September 5, especially the gospel concert at Santa Bárbara, are likely to draw strong local crowds. The Marca Bolívar fashion parade also offers a different cultural angle.
For those who cannot attend, local media and festival organisers typically share highlights online. The festival’s growth over recent years suggests it will remain a fixture on Colombia’s cultural calendar.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does FestiJazz 2026 take place in Mompox?
FestiJazz 2026 runs from September 1 to 5. The main festival block in Mompox begins on Thursday, September 3.
What is the headline venue for FestiJazz 2026?
The Parque del Jazz is the headline venue. It hosts the inaugural concert on September 3 and other major musical performances.
What food events are part of FestiJazz 2026?
The Festival del Frito Momposino runs on September 4 from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Albarrada de los Portales de la Marquesa. A broader Feria Artesanal y Gastronómica also opens on September 3.
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