★ 42 events
Free theatre in Bogotá
Between May and September, the curtain rises at la FUGA with 'Lecturas desde El Muelle'
May 25 – Sep 21
El Muelle de la FUGA
Idartes participates in 'El Barrio', an exhibition exploring creativity and community life from childhood: save the date through August 15
Jul 28 – Aug 15
Universidad de los Andes
In August, the poetry labs continue at BibloRed. Let's go!
Aug 1 – Aug 31
Red Distrital de Bibliotecas Públicas de Bogotá (BibloRed)
Audiovisual experimentation workshop for older adults at the BECMA
Aug 5 – Aug 26
Cinemateca de Bogotá Centro
Culturas en Común arrives in Engativá with the play 'Cuando no éramos vacío'
Thu, Aug 13, 5:00 AM
Enjoy the free exhibition "Terráqueos" on August 13 at CEFE Chapinero in Bogotá
Aug 13 – Aug 17
Centro Felicidad Chapinero · Chapinero
The Corner Through a Photograph
Thu, Aug 13, 2:30 PM
Biblioteca Pública Rafael Uribe Uribe
Creating the City: Art, Memory, and Territory
Thu, Aug 13, 4:00 PM
Biblioteca Pública Francisco José de Caldas - Suba · Suba
Free workshop 'Tardes de Retratos Festivos de aquella Santa Fé de Bogotá' arrives at Casona de la Danza: August 14
Fri, Aug 14, 7:00 AM
Casona de la Danza de Bogotá
Voices That Narrate Bogotá
Fri, Aug 14, 5:00 PM
Biblioteca Pública Francisco José de Caldas - Suba · Suba
Mexican poetry 2
Fri, Aug 14, 5:00 PM
Biblioteca Pública del Deporte - Centro Felicidad Chapinero · Chapinero
'Lobo' by Los Animistas
Fri, Aug 14, 2:00 PM
Strokes and Stories
Sat, Aug 15, 11:00 AM
Biblioteca Pública Virgilio Barco · Teusaquillo
Don't miss 'La Iliada Narrada' coming to the Teatro al Aire Libre La Media Torta in Bogotá: August 15
Sat, Aug 15, 7:00 AM
Teatro al Aire Libre la Media Torta de Bogotá
Attend free talk 'Ciudad Sedimento' at Galería Santa Fe: Saturday, August 15
Sat, Aug 15, 7:00 AM
Galería Santa Fe de Bogotá · Santa Fe
The Iliad Narrated
Sat, Aug 15, 7:00 AM
The Fruit Festival
Sat, Aug 15, 7:40 AM
Mocking, Mockingly Six Already Lead: The Sonnet
Sat, Aug 15, 2:30 PM
Biblioteca Pública Rafael Uribe Uribe
'Kashtanka', a Play from the Bogotá Theatre and Circus Festival at Teatro El Parque
Sat, Aug 15, 12:00 PM
The First Literary Picnic of the Year Premieres 'Arenautas', the New Work by Nidos
Sun, Aug 16, 5:30 AM
Voices in the Park
Sun, Aug 16, 11:00 AM
Biblioteca Pública Julio Mario Santo Domingo · Suba
'Circocina Balanceada' Will Open the Celebration of Teatro El Parque's 90th Anniversary
Sun, Aug 16, 9:30 AM
El Festival de Teatro y Circo de Bogotá presents 'COLORES'
Sun, Aug 16, 10:00 AM
'Lágrimas de agua dulce': a sensitive look at human fragility
Mon, Aug 17, 10:00 AM
Film Club: Cinema and the City
Tue, Aug 18, 3:00 PM
Biblioteca Pública Gabriel García Márquez - Tunal · Tunjuelito
Bogotá on My Skin - Cycle of Memories and Territory Stories at the Senior Citizens' Club
Wed, Aug 19, 10:30 AM
Biblioteca Pública Virgilio Barco · Teusaquillo
Costurero Puntada de Palabras: ¡En la bandera de la libertad bordé el amor más grande de mi vida!
Wed, Aug 19, 3:00 PM
Biblioteca Pública Venecia
Entre líneas: Narrar la ciudad
Wed, Aug 19, 4:00 PM
Biblioteca Pública Gabriel García Márquez - Tunal · Tunjuelito
Book launch: «No es la plata, eres tú»
Wed, Aug 19
Birreria Macha Parque 93 · Chapinero
Let's Play Distecnotopía
Thu, Aug 20, 2:30 PM
Biblioteca Pública Rafael Uribe Uribe
Creating the City: Art, Memory, and Territory
Thu, Aug 20, 4:00 PM
Biblioteca Pública Francisco José de Caldas - Suba · Suba
Literary Café: Álvaro Mutis; The Gaviero's Gaze
Fri, Aug 21, 3:00 PM
Biblioteca Pública Venecia
Voices That Narrate Bogotá
Fri, Aug 21, 5:00 PM
Biblioteca Pública Francisco José de Caldas - Suba · Suba
Strokes and Stories
Sat, Aug 22, 11:00 AM
Biblioteca Pública Virgilio Barco · Teusaquillo
Haiku encadenado: Poesía oriental
Sat, Aug 22, 2:30 PM
Biblioteca Pública Rafael Uribe Uribe
Obra 'Ja - Shull y el Gran Jaguar Azul'
Sat, Aug 22, 10:00 AM
El cuarto de los espíritus
Sat, Aug 22, 12:00 PM
'El circo de la nada' de Títeres AGarrapata
Sun, Aug 23, 10:00 AM
'El circo de la nada' by AGarrapata Títeres
Sun, Aug 23, 10:00 AM
Culturas en Común Arrives in Usaquén with the Play 'Cuando no éramos vacío'
Fri, Aug 28, 5:00 AM
'Arenautas' Comes to the National Museum
Sun, Aug 30, 6:30 AM
'Los tres chivitos Gruff' de Chisaro Teatro
Sun, Aug 30, 10:00 AM
About this plan
Bogotá has a huge theater scene, and a good part of it you can enjoy without buying a ticket. Throughout the year, different venues across the city, from independent theaters to universities, libraries, and parks, schedule free or pay-what-you-can shows until the seats run out. It's an easy way to get into Bogotá's theater, meet local playwrights, and catch experimental work that often doesn't make it to the big stages.
What you'll find at these shows is usually chamber theater, university productions, staged readings, small-venue plays, and, every now and then, outdoor performances in plazas and cultural centers. The quality varies a lot, but that's part of the fun. You stumble on independent gems and fresh new work. It's a good idea to arrive with some time to spare, because in most cases entry is first come, first served and the capacity is limited.
What to expect
- Check the calendar at independent theaters and cultural centers, which often have free shows during the week.
- Take advantage of outdoor theater seasons in parks and plazas, especially in neighborhoods like La Candelaria, Chapinero, and Teusaquillo.
- Look at the programming at universities with performing arts programs: student productions with free entry.
- Follow the social media of Bogotá theater collectives, which announce pop-up shows and staged readings open to the public.
- Get there early: at most free shows, entry is first come, first served and seats are not reserved.
FAQ
Is there free theater in Bogotá?
Yes, pretty often. Independent theaters, universities, libraries, and public spaces schedule free-entry shows, especially during the week and during cultural seasons.
Where can you usually find free plays?
At cultural centers like Gerardo Vallejo or García Márquez, at universities with performing arts programs, and every so often in parks and plazas in La Candelaria, Chapinero, and Teusaquillo.
Is the quality of free shows any good?
It really varies. There are university productions and experimental collectives doing very interesting work, along with more amateur stuff. The best move is to check the play's info and the cast before you go.