The Guacherna is Barranquilla's great pre-Carnival night parade: a procession of handmade lanterns, drum troupes, cumbia groups and costumes that takes over the city after dark and marks the emotional start of the season. It is traditionally held on the Friday eight days before Carnival Saturday; for 2027 the estimated date is Friday, January 29 (pending official confirmation).
What exactly is the Guacherna?
It is a nighttime parade in which folk groups, comparsas and entire families take to the streets carrying lit handmade lanterns, to the beat of tambora drums and millo flutes. Unlike Carnival's big daytime parades — watched from grandstands — the Guacherna is experienced up close, at night, with a neighborhood-party feel: for many locals it is the most beautiful night of the year.
The name comes from the old "guachernas": spontaneous musical street rounds with which neighborhoods announced that Carnival was near.
When is the Guacherna 2027?
The official date has not been announced yet. Following the traditional pattern (the Friday eight days before the Battle of Flowers), the estimated date is:
| Event | Date | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Guacherna 2027 | Friday, January 29, 2027* | Estimated |
| Battle of Flowers (Carnival opening) | Saturday, February 6, 2027 | Confirmed |
*We will update this guide and our Barranquilla Carnival 2027 page as soon as the organizers confirm the date.
Esther Forero: the woman who gave Carnival back its night
The modern Guacherna exists thanks to Barranquilla singer-songwriter Esther Forero, "the Bride of Barranquilla." In 1974, Esthercita revived the old tradition of lantern-lit night rounds that had disappeared from the city and turned it into an official pre-Carnival parade. Her song "La Guacherna" is now the unofficial anthem of the year's most anticipated night.
The route: Carrera 44
The Guacherna's traditional corridor is Barranquilla's Carrera 44. As a reference, the 2026 parade started at Calle 70 and Carrera 44 and moved south toward Plaza de la Paz and the Casa del Carnaval. The exact 2027 route will be announced along with the official date — but the atmosphere is guaranteed on every block.
How to watch the Guacherna (and what it costs)
- Free, from the street: most of the route is open. Arrive 2–3 hours early to claim a good spot on Carrera 44.
- Rented chairs: authorized vendors rent chairs along the route. As a 2026 reference, they cost 50,000–60,000 COP (about US$12–15).
- Grandstands and special zones: ticketed stands are set up at spots like Plaza de la Paz. See our Carnival tickets & palcos guide to buy safely.
Tips for enjoying it
- It's a night event: it starts in the late afternoon and runs for hours. Wear light clothes and comfortable shoes.
- Carry your own lantern (sold downtown and by street vendors): it's the heart of the tradition.
- Bring small bills for street food and drinks.
- If you're traveling from abroad, book accommodation months ahead — it's an extremely high-demand weekend. Here's our where-to-stay guide.
After the Guacherna: the road to Carnival
The Guacherna opens the final stretch of pre-Carnival: next come the crowning of the Carnival monarchs, the Children's Carnival and neighborhood street parties, all the way to the four central days of Barranquilla Carnival 2027, February 6–9. First time? Start with our first-timer's guide and check the Atlántico events calendar.
