On June 12 2026 the 65th Bambuco Festival opened in Neiva and will run until June 29 with over 70 cultural events.
The opening day featured the crowning of sashes for pageant contestants and the artistic show “Olelo Lelo Laila” at Parque de la Música Jorge Villamil Cordovez starting at 6:00 p.m.
More than 260 artists took part in the performance that mixed live music, dance and artificial-intelligence visuals of Huila landscapes.
In all 121 contestants are competing in the Reinado Popular, Señorita Neiva, Reinado Departamental del Bambuco, Reinado Nacional del Bambuco and the Herederos de la Tradición event.
Neiva culture secretary Tania Peñafiel said the main stage decoration honors the 90th anniversary of the Sanjuanero Huilense.
