Is one of the biggest celebrations in the south of the country, in San Juan de Pasto, which is located in the Nariño department This celebration takes place in January the 2 to the 7 each year. The carnival attracts a big number of Colombian people and foreigners. Additionally the festival was declared "Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity" by the committee UNESCO on 2009.
The festival is about the fusion between the Andean, Amazonia and Pacific regions from Colombia like a remembrance to the celebrations and rituals indigenous to the crops prosper and the mix between white or European people and the black and slave people during the times of the colony.
The carnival is composing for different cultural activities of African culture, Spanish and Indians. The most important elements of the carnival are: cosmetic, talc, music and floats with giant sculptures built by craftsmen who play a major role in these events.
The carnival is divided into several stages:
1.precarnival: Begins on December 28 the day of the water, on this day, the people of all ages take to the streets to "wet". The people use hoses, water pumps and all types of device to get wet. The pre carnival continue in December 30 when there is a special event called Serenta Pasto where you can hear the best trios of strings in the Andean region.
2. The “Carnavalito”: In this part of the carnival children 6 to 14 years are  evolve showing different kinds of dances.
3. The parade of the Castañeda Family: This is the first day that people start to paint and assemble a big party in the streets of the city. It's a big parade through the streets of the city and a prelude to theCarnival which takes place on January 4, referring to the legend of Carnival, according to which in 1928 invited a group of Pasto to enjoy a family holiday later named as The Family Castaneda.
4.The Black Day: It takes place on 5 January. On this day people are willing to receive "pinticas" black cosmetic to the point that all clothing, faces, arms and body parts are discovered painted. In the city are organized orchestras where there are no differences of race and class.

5.The White Day: On 6 January, the rules changed and instead of "black or colored “pintica" people throw white powder. The festival begins with the parade of floats with huge figures made by craftsmen, becoming a cultural show fascinating and full of joy.