★ 25 events
Free theatre in Bogotá
From September to November, free art at Bogotá's public libraries — check the details and save your spot!
Sep 13 – Nov 1
Red Distrital de Bibliotecas Públicas de Bogotá (BibloRed)
Trails That Tell Stories
Fri, Oct 2, 9:30 AM
Biblioteca Pública Fontibón · Fontibón
Join 'Liberen los cortos' at the Cinemateca de Bogotá — Free!
Fri, Oct 2, 7:00 AM
Cinemateca de Bogotá
School break week: Artistic experience 'Las arpilleras de Mochilín' at the Museo Quinta de Bolívar on October 3
Sat, Oct 3, 7:00 AM
Museo Casa Quinta de Bolívar en Bogotá
La Matiné Familiar de los Escenarios Móviles arrives at Teatro El Parque with 'Juegos Escénicos'
Sun, Oct 4, 9:00 AM
Pilona 10 presenta 'Yo no soy NN'
Sun, Oct 4, 10:00 AM
Festival Mamarracho Fiesta Casera Payasa Vol. 9 presenta 'Frágil'
Tue, Oct 6, 9:00 AM
Club de Creación Comunitaria para Personas Mayores
Wed, Oct 7, 10:30 AM
Biblioteca Pública Virgilio Barco · Teusaquillo
Connect with 'Habitar(nos)': a body expression and yoga workshop at the Casona de la Danza
Wed, Oct 7, 7:00 AM
Casona de la Danza
The City and the Verses
Wed, Oct 7, 2:30 PM
Biblioteca Público Escolar La Marichuela · Usme
Reverso Poetry Festival: poetics of a transforming nature
Wed, Oct 7, 3:00 PM
Biblioteca Pública El Parque
Illustration workshop: life in motion
Wed, Oct 7, 3:00 PM
Biblioteca Pública Gabriel García Márquez - Tunal · Tunjuelito
Literary café: memories in verse - Mary Grueso
Wed, Oct 7, 4:00 PM
Biblioteca Pública Gabriel García Márquez - Tunal · Tunjuelito
Literary café: Gabo in his stories
Thu, Oct 8, 10:30 AM
Biblioteca Pública CEFE Cometas
Reading and memory: poetry of Julio Flórez
Thu, Oct 8, 2:00 PM
Biblioteca Pública de la Participación Ciudadana
Poetry in motion: verses that dance
Thu, Oct 8, 3:00 PM
Biblioteca Pública Venecia
Trails That Tell Stories
Fri, Oct 9, 9:30 AM
Biblioteca Pública Fontibón · Fontibón
Festival Mamarracho Fiesta Casera Payasa Vol. 9 presenta 'Frágil'
Sat, Oct 10, 11:30 AM
'¿Quién anda ahí?' llega a Pilona 10 con una historia sobre el miedo y la amistad
Sun, Oct 11, 10:00 AM
'El Circo de las Maravillas' en Pilona 10
Sun, Oct 18, 10:00 AM
'Circo de las Maravillas' en Pilona 10
Sun, Oct 18, 10:00 AM
Conozca el 'Manual de supervivencia para perdedores emocionales' en Pilona 10
Fri, Oct 23, 2:00 PM
'Profundo' play at the National Museum
Sun, Oct 25, 6:30 AM
Títeres AGarrapata presenta 'Improppet' en Pilona 10
Sun, Oct 25, 10:00 AM
'Sintonías de lo político': the new free exhibition at the Cinemateca Gallery
Every day
Galería Cinemateca de Bogotá
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.