This Week in Bogotá: Concerts, Free Festivals and Earthquake Benefits

Colombia · Weekend

A long holiday weekend, two earthquake benefit concerts, Morat at the arena. And a city-wide free festival: here is how to fill your days from Friday to Wednesday.

If you are living in or passing through Bogotá this week, the timing is lucky. A long holiday weekend, a stacked cultural calendar and several benefit events for earthquake victims all land between Friday and Wednesday.

Whether you have a big budget or none at all, there is plenty on. We have pulled together the confirmed events, with dates, venues and what you will pay.

So you can plan before the weekend fills up.

A long weekend to build your plans around

First, the good news for your calendar. Monday 17 August 2026 is a public holiday in Colombia, marking the Assumption of Mary.

The feast falls on Saturday 15 August, but under the Ley Emiliani it moves to the following Monday. As a result, you get a three-day weekend from Saturday to Monday.

That matters for planning. Many workplaces close on the Monday, so museums, parks and venues tend to be busier than usual.

Benefit concerts for earthquake victims

The strongest reason to go out this week is also the most meaningful. After the 10 August earthquake, Bogotá’s music world has organised two solidarity concerts.

First up is ‘Resonancias’ on Friday 14 August at 7:00pm. It brings together Antonio Arnedo, El Colectivo Colombia and the Bogotá Women’s Philharmonic under conductor Natalí Espinosa.

The venue is the Auditorio Fabio Lozano at the Jorge Tadeo Lozano University, downtown. Because every peso of ticket revenue goes to earthquake victims, it is an easy night to feel good about.

Then on Saturday 15 August at 4:00pm, the Orquesta Filarmónica de Bogotá plays a solidarity concert at the same venue. Conductor Enluis Montes Olivar leads, with pianist Daniel Díaz-Padilla as soloist.

Tickets for both run COP 25,000 to 35,000 (about US$8 to US$11). In addition, the auditorium doubles as a drop-off point for donated supplies, so bring what you can spare.

Morat at Movistar Arena — and a fundraiser too

The big-ticket event this week is Colombian pop band Morat, who bring their Ya Es Mañana world tour home. They play Movistar Arena on Friday 14, Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 August, each night at 9:00pm.

Tickets range from COP 195,000 in the upper tiers to COP 730,000 for the fan tribune, roughly US$62 to US$233. They are sold through TuBoleta, the official operator, so avoid resellers.

There is a charitable angle here as well. The band is setting up donation points at the arena and channelling part of the proceeds toward rebuilding schools through UNICEF.

Free festivals across the city

If money is tight, the Festival de Verano de Bogotá has you covered. Now in its 29th edition, it runs from 31 July to 31 August with more than 60 mostly free events.

This weekend the family-friendly Diverparques days spread across neighbourhood parks on Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 August. From 9:00am, with games and activities at no cost.

Sports fans have options too. A national canoeing Grand Prix takes over the lake at Parque Simón Bolívar on Saturday 15 August from 7:00am.

While an archery championship runs both days at Parque El Country in Usaquén. For something quirkier.

A mass skating attempt at a human-train record rolls along the Avenida Calle 26 Ciclovía on Sunday 16 August from 8:00am. All of it is free to watch.

Theatre and open-air shows

Bogotá’s stages stay busy this week as well. At the open-air La Media Torta, a free narrated retelling of Homer’s Iliad plays on Saturday 15 August at noon.

Part of the city’s theatre and circus festival. Over at the Teatro Colón, the popular Candlelight series continues on Friday 14 August.

With tribute programmes to ABBA and to classic rock across the evening. The Teatro Mayor Julio Mario Santo Domingo also has dance in its studio space on Friday 14 and Saturday 15 August.

Check each venue’s site for the latest ticket details before you go.

Museums and gardens on the cheap

A long weekend is perfect for the city’s museums, and several are a bargain. The Gold Museum, one of Bogotá’s must-sees, is free for everyone on Sundays, including Sunday 16 August.

On other days it costs COP 10,000 for nationals and COP 21,000 for foreign visitors, roughly US$3 to US$7. Children under 12 and adults over 62 always enter free.

The Museo Nacional opens its rooms free every Wednesday from 2:00pm to 5:00pm, so Wednesday 19 August is your window. The MamBo modern-art museum charges COP 18,000 to 25,000 (about US$6 to US$8).

A green break in the Bogotá agenda

For fresh air, the José Celestino Mutis Botanical Garden is a calm counterpoint to the festival crowds. Since late July, one general ticket also covers the Tropicario greenhouse.

Admission is COP 16,000 for Colombian nationals and COP 38,000 for foreign visitors, about US$5 and US$12. Children under 5 and adults over 60 go in free.

It is an easy morning out before the afternoon events start. Meanwhile, the garden’s shaded paths are a good place to escape the holiday-weekend bustle.

Getting around during a busy week

Public transport is your friend across this stretch. Movistar Arena sits near the El Campín stadium in Teusaquillo and is well served by TransMilenio and buses.

For the free festival events, Parque Simón Bolívar and the Ciclovía are central and walkable, though weekend crowds are heavy. As a result, allow extra time getting home after a big show.

Ride-hailing apps and taxis work well, but prices climb when concerts let out. So walking a few blocks before ordering a car can save you money on the night.

Practical tips for the weekend

First, carry a little cash. Many free festival stalls and small venues prefer pesos, even though cards work at the big arenas and ticket sites.

Second, buy concert tickets only through official channels such as TuBoleta. Because demand is high this week, resale scams are common.

Finally, remember the Monday holiday. Some offices and banks close, so run any errands on Friday and keep the long weekend free for the fun.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the earthquake benefit events in Bogotá this week?

Two solidarity concerts at the Auditorio Fabio Lozano: ‘Resonancias’ on Friday 14 August at 7:00pm. And the Bogotá Philharmonic on Saturday 15 August at 4:00pm.

How much do Morat tickets cost and where do I buy them?

Morat plays Movistar Arena on 14, 15 and 16 August at 9:00pm. Tickets range from COP 195,000 to COP 730,000, roughly US$62 to US$233, and are sold through the official operator TuBoleta.

What free things can I do in Bogotá this week?

The Festival de Verano offers dozens of free events. Including Diverparques family days and a canoeing Grand Prix at Parque Simón Bolívar on 15-16 August.

Is Monday 17 August a holiday in Colombia?

Yes. Monday 17 August 2026 is a public holiday for the Assumption of Mary, moved from Saturday 15 August under the Ley Emiliani.

Sources: Perplexity sonar-pro fact-check (14 August 2026); IDRD Festival de Verano de Bogotá agenda; Movistar Arena and TuBoleta listings; Teatro Colón and La Media Torta calendars; Banco de la República TRM; Museo del Oro and Jardín Botánico de Bogotá tariffs.