Claq Popup Medellín: The Expat Guide To Ciudad del Río’s Biggest Holiday Market

• 🎄 Holiday market with hundreds of local brands, perfect for gifts

• 🛍️ Great for expats who want real Colombian-made products

• 🌆 Located in front of MAMM in Ciudad del Río

• 🍔 Food, desserts, coffee, music, crowds and holiday energy

• 🚶 Easy plan: shop, walk, eat, hang out and meet people

If you live in Medellín, you already know this city doesn’t play around when December hits. Lights, food, crowds, music, and events everywhere. But Claq Popup stands out because it taps into something expats crave: a real connection to local creators, food, design and culture.

This is one of the most fun and easy holiday plans in the city. It’s happening on December 11-14th, right in front of MAMM in Ciudad del Río, so it’s central, safe, accessible, and full of energy. You get hundreds of vendors, live ambience, food stalls, families, dogs, music, and a festive mood that pulls you in fast.

Here’s everything you need before you go.

📍 Where It Happens

Ciudad del Río, in front of the Museo de Arte Moderno de Medellín (MAMM)
Google Maps link:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/CSVVZKA8uHGCPGiB8

You can walk from Industriales metro. You can jump on EnCicla. You can Uber. You can even grab a scooter. Every route leads to the same thing: a massive open-air holiday market full of people enjoying themselves.

🌆 Quick Neighborhood Snapshot

Ciudad del Río is an expat sweet spot because you get green space, cafés, condos, coworking, and modern restaurants packed into one compact area. The park is open and friendly. Kids run around. Dogs everywhere. Joggers and picnics all day.

It used to be an industrial zone, but the city rebuilt it into a cultural district anchored by MAMM. That mix of old architecture, art spaces, and new cafés gives the area a clean, modern feel without losing its Medellín personality. If you live in Poblado or Laureles, you’ll probably recognize half the crowd.

🎄 What Claq Popup Actually Is

Think of it as Medellín’s creative fair turned holiday celebration. It started in 2021 and has grown into one of the city’s biggest seasonal events.

You’ll find:

• Hundreds of local brands from Medellín, Cali, Bogotá and the coast

• Handmade gifts, clothing, leather goods, accessories, candles and decor

• Food stalls with both Colombian classics and creative street-food twists

• Independent coffee roasters and dessert vendors

• Live energy from music, crowds and holiday spirit

• A friendly vibe for families, couples, expats and anyone in the mood to walk, eat and shop

Claq advertises each edition as a celebration of local talent. And honestly, they deliver. It’s impressive how many high-quality small brands show up. You can do all your gift shopping without stepping into a mall.

🎁 Why Expats Love It

You get:

• Easy access. Ciudad del Río is central and safe.

• Authentic gifts. Perfect if you’re flying home soon and want to bring something Colombian that isn’t a poncho from El Centro.

• Great food. You’ll find bandeja remix stalls, gourmet burgers, pastries, coffee, vegan options and sometimes food trucks.

• A zero-stress plan. Walk, browse, grab a drink, people-watch, enjoy the lights.

If you’re new in town, this is an easy place to meet people. Expats, locals, digital nomads, young Colombian couples — everyone mixes together.

🕒 How to Do It Right

• Go late afternoon or early evening when the lights come on.

• Bring cash and card since vendors vary.

• Wear comfortable shoes because you’ll walk more than you think.

• Don’t rush. Half the fun is wandering slowly.

• Swing into MAMM if you want extra culture before or after.

And if you get hungry afterward, the Ciudad del Río strip has everything: Saludpan, Bonuar, La Bottega, Social Club, Burdo, Mercado del Río and a dozen grab-and-go spots.

🎉 Lets Go!

If you want a December plan that feels real, local and fun, Claq Popup is it. No touristy nonsense. No overpriced holiday gimmicks. Just Medellín showing you how creative and welcoming it can be.

When you go, tell me what brand you liked the most. I always discover something new.