The entertainment segment continues to consolidate itself as one of the major drivers of tourism in Medellín and Antioquia. The third edition of Tomorrowland presents CORE Medellín, taking place on February 20 and 21, 2026 at Parque Norte, confirms the city-region’s capacity to host internationally formatted events that integrate music, art, and nature into high-impact experiences.
CORE returns with an immersive concept centered around its iconic stage, blending curated house and techno sounds, organic scenography, and large-scale production designed to connect with global audiences. The event is developed in partnership with Breakfast Live, a Colombian promoter with more than a decade of experience and a Bureau Member. Its track record with festivals such as Ritvales and La Solar Festival has contributed to positioning Medellín as a stage for major international shows.
Beyond its artistic lineup, this type of gathering represents a strategic opportunity for the destination. Approximately 34,000 tickets have been sold to date, with a distribution that highlights its international reach: Colombia accounts for 72% of purchases, followed by the United States (12%), Ecuador (8%), and Canada (8%). These four markets represent the majority of confirmed attendees so far.
Entertainment as an Economic Powehouse
The impact of entertainment transcends the cultural sphere. According to figures recently released by National Administrative Department of Statistics DANE, the Colombian economy grew by 2.6% in 2025, with arts and entertainment activities recording the highest annual variation among economic sectors, growing by 9.9% and an outstanding 11.5% in the fourth quarter of the year.
According to the entity, the massive nature of concerts and festivals in cities such as Medellín was decisive in this performance, consolidating the cultural sector as one of the main contributors to national GDP growth.
In line with this context, the Secretariat of Tourism and Entertainment, through the Tourism Intelligence System (SIT), projects that CORE Medellín 2026 could generate tourism spending of close to $6.7 million, considering variables such as length of stay and average daily spending at similar events.
This estimate includes components such as accommodation, transportation, food, shopping, and recreational activities, highlighting the multiplier effect that this type of event has on the local business community.
Coordination to maximize impact
Given the Bureau’s role as coordinator of the tourism ecosystem, its support for these types of events is part of its efforts to create conditions that maximize their impact on the city and region. This involves facilitating connections between organizers, local businesses, authorities, and strategic partners to ensure a comprehensive visitor experience.
Sector coordination enables hotels, tour operators, restaurants, and service providers to strategically align with attendee flows, designing complementary offers and strengthening the marketing of experiences in Medellín and Antioquia.
Likewise, coordinated work contributes to consolidating the destination as a reliable venue for international events, reinforcing its reputation and operational capacity among global promoters.
International projection and regional opportunity
The presence of markets such as the United States and Canada among the main buyers reflects the global reach of the event and its potential to attract international visitors who, in addition to attending the festival, explore the territory’s cultural, natural, and gastronomic offerings.
CORE Medellín 2026 thus represents much more than an electronic music festival. It is a platform that integrates entertainment, economic dynamization, and international positioning. Through coordinated sector efforts, it contributes to consolidating Medellín as a leading entertainment destination in Latin America.
The Medellín and Antioquia Bureau is a foundation that attracts visitors, events, and opportunities to boost the development of the city and the department, strengthening the tourism sector and working in coordination with public and private entities to promote the city and region.
