If you’re planning to be in Cartagena for New Year’s Eve, you’re always in for a treat! Colombia is known for its extensive festive New Year’s traditions, and Cartagena in particular offers some of the best opportunities for visitors to participate in the celebrations. Let’s be honest, Cartagena is not afraid of a party!
Each year, we announce the hottest tickets for NYE here!
We work with many party promoters, bars, clubs, and restaurants in Cartagena. As soon as they release tickets for the hottest events in October or November of each year, we open access to you. If you want to be first on the VIP list to access tickets, sign up today!
And while you wait for New Year’s event announcements, here’s everything you need to know about visiting Cartagena, Colombia for the turn of the year. Get in touch and we will help you celebrate in style!
How to Spend New Year’s Eve in Cartagena
These traditions are a lot of fun, but you may still be wondering about what exactly to do on New Year’s Eve in Cartagena. If so, check out this list of the top 5 ways to celebrate the New Year during your Cartagena vacation!
1. NYE Club Parties
If your idea of a great New Year’s Eve celebration is exciting nightlife, Cartagena is the place for you! There are dozens of popular clubs and bars that stay open late on New Year’s Eve. Some, especially those in El Centro, host amazing festive New Year parties with live music. It’s best to head out for some dancing after dinner or other celebrations, as most locals won’t be venturing out to the bars until after midnight on New Year’s Eve.
If you’re looking to get a little bit more exclusive, we have the parties for you.
La Movida
Celebrate New Year’s Eve 2026 at La Movida Cartagena! Choose from General, Premium, or All Access tickets for entry to unique party zones: Almodovar Patio (house), Main Room (crossover), La Ratonera, and the Rooftop. All Access includes VIP lounge access, open bar until 1:00 a.m., and dining options. Ticket holders can enjoy bar seating, with cocktail tables available based on availability. An unforgettable night with music, food, and an incredible atmosphere!
For table reservations, please contact us directly!
La Jugada
Celebrate New Year’s Eve 2026 at La Jugada, one of Cartagena’s top nightlife spots! Immerse yourself in an unforgettable night filled with live music, surprises, and an electric atmosphere. Known for its vibrant energy and stylish vibe, La Jugada is the perfect place to welcome the New Year in style. Don’t miss out on this extraordinary celebration!
For table reservations, please contact us directly!
El Baluarte San Francisco Javier
Step into an unforgettable New Year’s Eve celebration at the iconic Baluarte San Francisco Javier. As the sun sets over Cartagena’s bay, the sky fills with color, music, and energy — the perfect prelude to a night of pure joy.
Enjoy a welcome cocktail, Caribbean buffet, and table bites while savoring the warm coastal breeze. The night comes alive with live performances by Rubén & Cartagena Stars, DJ Marco Antonio, and a spectacular fireworks show lighting up the historic walls.
Raise your glass with premium open bar service, from crafted cocktails to top-shelf spirits, and dance beneath the stars until the first sunrise of 2026.
A night where Cartagena’s charm, rhythm, and flavor unite.
Mirador Culture Bar
Experience Mirador Culture Bar’s New Year’s Eve Gala, the most elegant celebration overlooking Cartagena’s Historic Center. Indulge in a 3-course gourmet dinner crafted by our chefs, enjoy an unlimited GOLD open bar featuring premium spirits and signature cocktails, and dance the night away with a live orchestra and guest DJ.
At midnight, raise your glass for a breathtaking toast under the stars—complete with cotillones, grapes, and sparkling views of the fireworks over the walled city.
Choose your experience: from a vibrant main floor atmosphere to an exclusive VIP lounge, designed for those who want to start 2026 surrounded by luxury, music, and the best panoramic view in Cartagena.
2. New Year’s Eve Restaurant Reservations
If you’d like to ring in the New Year in style, we’d recommend reserving a spot at a Cartagena New Year’s Eve Feast. Several of the top restaurants, hotels, clubs, and bars will have special events, feasts, or parties planned. Many of the more popular events sell out well in advance, so be sure to book your reservations ahead of time!
El Barón + León Bar
Welcome 2026 from Cartagena’s most iconic plaza — the Plaza de San Pedro, where history, flavor, and rhythm come together for an unforgettable night.
Indulge in a 3-course gourmet menu, enjoy an open bar until midnight with selected cocktails and spirits, and share a bottle of Prosecco per couple as you toast to new beginnings.
Celebrate with live music, DJ sets, cotillones, and grapes at midnight, then keep the night alive at our exclusive after party.
At El Barón & León Bar, sophistication meets celebration in the heart of Cartagena’s Old Town.
Candé
Candé Restaurante invites you to a New Year’s Eve celebration that honors the essence of Cartagena through its cuisine, music, and vibrant atmosphere. This exclusive dinner blends traditional recipes with gourmet craftsmanship, offering an unforgettable journey through the city’s most beloved flavors.
Begin the night with the Barú cocktail — a refreshing blend of Tequila Altos, watermelon extract, and sparkling wine — before indulging in a refined four-course menu featuring seafood, meats, and vegetarian options, each prepared with local ingredients and contemporary flair.
La Cocina de Pepina
Ring in New Year’s Eve 2025/26 surrounded by Cartagena’s most beloved flavors at La Cocina de Pepina, a restaurant that embodies the soul of Colombian Caribbean cuisine.
This special night invites you to experience an intimate dinner across two enchanting settings — the new modern lounge and the classic salon — each designed to preserve the warmth and authenticity that define Pepina.
The evening begins with a welcome glass of champagne, followed by a sharing platter of six appetizers, and a main course of your choice from traditional dishes like Sopa Caribe, Cerdo Sinuano, Posta Cartagenera, or Mote ‘e Queso. Enjoy your meal with one drink of choice — cocktail, beer, or wine — plus unlimited house water.
Finish on a sweet note with a dessert tasting platter for two, celebrating the artistry and heritage of Cartagena’s gastronomy.
A night where culinary tradition meets heartfelt celebration — the perfect way to welcome 2026 with authentic Caribbean soul.
El Beso
Celebrate New Year’s Eve 2025/26 in true Getsemaní style at El Beso Restaurante, where flavor, art, and culture come together for a night full of rhythm, color, and taste. Located on the lively Calle San Antonio, this local favorite invites you to welcome the new year with a “Menú Bien Chill” — a creative culinary journey that reimagines the Caribbean with bold, playful sophistication.
Indulge in exquisite dishes like purple corn hayaca stuffed with shrimp in coconut milk and creamy bisque, octopus tostada with Peruvian-style cilantro and ají amarillo sauce, or roasted robalo over smoky boronía and fresh salad. Vegetarian delights include eggplant mille-feuille, housemade zucchini ravioli, and purple corn hayaca filled with mushrooms and quinoa in roasted pepper sauce.
End the night with a crispy wotón mille-feuille filled with arequipe, cranberry sauce, and vanilla semifreddo, perfectly paired with El Beso’s signature margaritas.
Carmen
Nestled in a beautifully restored colonial house in Cartagena’s Historic Center, Carmen Restaurant blends contemporary elegance with the vibrant soul of the Caribbean.
For New Year’s Eve 2025/26, Carmen transforms into the stage for an unforgettable night of luxury — an 8-course culinary journey crafted with artistic precision, highlighting Colombia’s rich biodiversity and culture in every dish.
More than just dinner, it’s a sensory experience — where fine dining, design, and history come together to welcome the new year in exquisite style.
If you’d like to find out more about the restaurants in Cartagena, check out our Cartagena restaurant recommendations.
3. Cartagena NYE Hotel Parties
One of the most popular Cartagena NYE activities is the fireworks and for those seeking breathtaking panoramic views, the rooftops are absolute gems.
If you prefer a more public atmosphere, head to popular squares like Plaza Santo Domingo and Plaza San Pedro Claver, where locals and tourists alike gather to ring in the New Year with joyous celebrations.
Wherever you choose to watch the NYE fireworks in Cartagena, be sure to arrive early, savor delicious local cuisine, and immerse yourself in the vibrant energy of this enchanting city.
Santa Clara Hotel
Celebrate the arrival of 2026 at the city’s most iconic landmark — a night where history, elegance, and sophistication come together under the Caribbean sky. The Sofitel Legend Santa Clara Hotel transforms its legendary courtyard into a scene of pure enchantment, blending colonial charm with modern luxury.
Enjoy a gourmet dinner experience prepared by world-class chefs, accompanied by live music, exclusive performances, and as the clock strikes midnight, raise your glass with a champagne toast, surrounded by elegance, joy, and the timeless beauty of this 17th-century convent reborn as a five-star hotel.
As in all of Colombia, Cartagena New Year’s Eve celebrations tend to be much more family-oriented than they are in many other countries. You’ll find that most locals spend the day and evening at home with their families. Some of the younger members head out to clubs and bars, but usually only after midnight when the family celebrations are over. So if you’d really like to celebrate the New Year like a local, try to make some friends and get invited to a family celebration. Then you’ll be able to naturally participate in all the unique Colombian New Year’s traditions along with your host family!
While you’re here, why not take a deeper look at Cartagena? There are plenty of villas, private islands, experiences, and yachts to make the most of! We still have some villas available over Christmas and New Year. Get in touch today!
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