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Each year in June, around the festivities of Saint John the Baptist and Saints Peter and Paul, traditional celebrations in the department of Huila, the Folkloric Festival and National Bambuco Beauty Pageant (Festival Folclórico y Reinado Nacional del Bambuco) is held in Neiva. It is one of the most important festivals in southern Colombia and one of the most renowned musical and cultural events in the country.
The festival, formally organized for the first time in 1960, has its origins in the colonial period when the San Juan and San Pedro festivities were celebrated with bullfights, horse races, and dances.
Today, the festival is known for its wide variety of activities, with the National Bambuco Beauty Pageant being one of its main events. In this competition, candidates from different departments of Colombia vie for the crown, showcasing their skills in dancing the "Sanjuanero Huilense", an iconic dance of the festival. Additionally, there are float parades, dance troupes, and artistic performances that bring the streets of Neiva to life with color and vibrancy.
Besides the pageant, the festival includes parades, dance troupes, musical performances, artisan fairs, gastronomic events, and horseback rides. Neiva's streets are filled with color and joy during the float parades and displays of traditional costumes.
The festivities in honor of Saint John and Saint Peter not only promote local folklore and traditions but also boost tourism in the region, attracting visitors from all over the country. The Bambuco Festival is a symbol of identity and pride for the people of Huila.
