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 start to 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. 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!
For a dinner you won’t forget, we highly recommend these restaurants. We know they will all do something really special for New Year – Lobo de Mar, Carmen Restauran Cartagena, Celele, La Cocina de Pepina and La Única. If you’d like to find out more about the restaurants in Cartagena, check our our Cartagena restaurant recommendations.
2. NYE Fireworks at Parque de la Marina
One of the most popular Cartagena NYE activities is the fireworks at Parque de la Marina. Most locals will arrive well before dark with a picnic dinner and chairs or blankets to sit on. If you don’t feel like bringing all that, you can also pick up some delicious Colombian street food on your way and then rent chairs and tables at the park.
The firework show doesn’t start until midnight, but you’ll need to arrive early in order to find a place to camp out in the park. If you don’t make it in time to save a spot in this crowded square, you can also usually find a place to watch the fireworks at Muelle de los Pegasos or Cafe Del Mar, and then dance in the streets until dawn!
3. Tickets to the Best Cartagena New Year’s Eve Events and 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.
Special New Year’s Eve events are announced in October and November,
and we can offer you first VIP access to the best with the best prices too.
Wild Brunch
Wild Brunch is one of the most famous parties in Cartagena, and also sells out FAST! You’ll discover that Cartagena is ready to party like there’s no tomorrow at Wild Brunch. This really is our top recommendation! It takes place Dec 29, so you get a day to recover, before New Year’s Eve!
El Barón
El Barón is famous for its cocktails and five star menu. Celebrate New Year’s Eve in this beautiful spot in San Pedro Claver square and don’t forget to dress to impress! Cartagena’s famous cocktail lounge will be sure to lay on live music, amazing food, and champagne! Get in touch and we’ll help you get tickets when they’re released!
Alquimico
Another favorite place for New Year is also one of the world’s best bars. Alquimico will no doubt have an exclusive party planned, with international DJs. Tickets for a sought-after table on the rooftop will sell out within days of release.
Casa Cruxada
This club was developed by the highly talented team that made Bogotá nightlife a mainstay. Its dark ambience and far-from-flawless decor only accentuate the perfection of the night this team will be throwing. Enjoy NYE dancing to international DJs with Tropical Vibes and Dark Disco.
La Jugada
Immerse yourself with the best Cartagena has to offer. This event always brings down the house. With top DJs, fireworks, dancers and many surprises, this NYE is one people never forget.
We also recommend Townhouse and Santa Clara for fantastic New Year’s Eve Celebrations.
4. Cartagena New Year’s Eve Street Party
Perhaps the most looked-forward to Cartagena New Year’s event is the traditional street party in San Diego Square. Located in one of Cartagena’s trendiest plazas, the BYOB event includes live music, dancing, and drinks. This is one of the most popular events in the city and seating is limited. So, you’ll definitely want to book your tickets well in advance to make sure you can welcome in 2023 at this Cartagena New Year’s party!
Note: Tickets to this event cost upwards of $75 per person. Information about the music line-up and other details of the party will be released closer to the date.
If you want to ring in 2023 the right way, you can bet that this is one city you won’t be disappointed to visit during this time.
5. Join a family celebration
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!
