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Cartagena

What to do for New Year’s Eve in Cartagena

Blog Cartagena

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!

Salon Tropical

Experience the Caribbean vibe in one of Colombia’s best restaurants. After their big hit in Bogota, Salon Tropical opened its doors in Cartagena to combine the elegance of haute cuisine with the best local flavors. The result is a menu you will remember for years to come.

Celele

This year Celele, one of Latin America’s 50 Best invites you to end 2023 with an extraordinary 6-course menu full of Caribbean flavors and live music, broadening the boundaries of Colombian-Caribbean cooking.

La Cocina de Pepina

La Cocina de Pepina is a staple of Cartagena’s high-level gastro scene, offering breathtaking food that lends admiration to costeño traditions, local ingredients, and culinary heritage like no other. This year, the team is coming together to offer you the best dinner party to enjoy costeño traditions and history. It’ll be an experience that everyone who comes to Cartagena for the holidays should have.

Other dinner options we highly recommend are these restaurants. We know they will all do something really special for New Year – Lobo de Mar, Carmen, and La Única. If you’d like to find out more about the restaurants in Cartagena, check out our Cartagena restaurant recommendations.

2. NYE Fireworks

One of the most popular Cartagena NYE activities is the fireworks and for those seeking breathtaking panoramic views, the rooftops of Townhouse, the Movich Hotel, the Charleston Santa Teresa, and the Santa Clara Hotel are absolute gems.

For an enchanting ocean view, El Baluarte is an absolute must-visit location. This historic fortification, part of the city’s famous walls, offers a unique and romantic setting perched right on the edge of the Caribbean Sea.

Another equally captivating spot with an ocean view is Cafe del Mar, a legendary bar and lounge situated atop the city walls. This iconic venue is renowned for its breathtaking sunset views, and it becomes an electrifying hub of celebration on New Year’s Eve. For a top-notch experience don’t hesitate to head to Bocagrande and get a spot at 51 Sky Bar. Located on the 51th floor of Hotel Estelar offers an incredible 360° view that you won’t want to miss.  

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.

3. Tickets to the Best Cartagena New Year’s Eve Events and Parties

Tulum party boujee bar

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.

La Movida

La Movida Club and Bar is where the elite of Cartagena hang out. Often dubbed as the “best party in town”, it’s a fusion of old-school American Speakeasy and Latino lounge. Slide from one room to another through the night – each one with its own vibe. This New Year’s Eve celebration will be epic, with performances happening all night plus a special guest and DJs in each room. You’ll also be treated to a delicious menu and amazing drinks. If you want to start 2024 at one of the best parties in Cartagena, this event is for you!

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.

Casa Cruxada

This club was developed by the highly talented team that made Bogotá nightlife a mainstay.  Its dark ambiance 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.

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.

Townhouse

Townhouse is one of the coolest spots in Cartagena and boasts a rooftop pool, so if you want to celebrate in the center of the Historical District, this hotel rooftop bar is top of the list! There will be an OPEN BAR and tapas all night long, plus great music from amazing DJs spinning house, reggaeton, and today’s top hits. You will have a prime view of the fireworks and more surprises!

El Baluarte

Celebrate the arrival of the New Year in style at El Baluarte Cartagena, where you can enjoy the most spectacular view in town. This venue offers a breathtaking backdrop for this special occasion. As the clock strikes midnight, witness the mesmerizing fireworks illuminating the night sky, creating a magical atmosphere.

Mirador Gastrobar

Enjoy the best of the Caribbean influence at their Tropical Glam Gala from the rooftop or immerse yourself in their disco to experience a wild atmosphere at the Jungle Party. Welcome 2024 from the heart of the historic center of the city of Cartagena, and under the starry sky let’s toast to a future full of hope and opportunities.

Santa Clara Hotel

Discover the magic of Cartagena at the Sofitel Legend Santa Clara Cartagena, an iconic hotel where heritage meets modernity. Ring in the New Year in Mardi Gras style, with live music, Caribbean-inspired food with a New Orleans flare, and more. Do not miss this glittering, magical event.

We Are Us Party

Embrace the Magic of NYE Week in Cartagena! Get ready for a week of island adventures and unforgettable experiences as we ring in the New Year together in Cartagena! Our NYE Week is all about celebrating the spirit of the Caribbean and creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Wild Brunch Cartagena

The Wild Brunch started as a house party for Colombia’s cool kids during their annual end-of-year Cartagena holidays and since has grown into the biggest party of the year. It has blown up to such epic proportions and become such a spectacle that it is pretty much set to be the best party on the planet. Safe to say, if you are in Cartagena on the 29th of December, you will not want to miss out.

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 2024 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 2024 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!

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