What's Happening in Medellín, Week of August 10, 2026
A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck western Colombia on Monday, August 10, its epicenter near San José del Palmar in Chocó. It was felt strongly in Medellín, and the damage has landed hardest in Quibdó, Manizales, Cali, Pereira, and Armenia. As of Wednesday night, the national disaster agency UNGRD had logged more than 45,000 affected families across 15 departments. That backdrop shapes most of what's coming up in the city this weekend.
Atlético Nacional hosts Independiente Santa Fe this Saturday, August 15, kicking off at 6:10 p.m. at Estadio Atanasio Girardot, fecha 5 of Liga BetPlay II. The club is donating part of the gate to earthquake relief and setting up donation points at the stadium for blood, money, food, and supplies. Tickets range from COP 45,000 in Sur, Norte, and Gramilla to COP 198,000 for Platea, about USD 11 to USD 50 at COP 4,000 = USD 1. (Infobae)
The same day, a benefit concert called "Colombia, Medellín Te Quiere" runs from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Centro de Eventos La Macarena. More than 25 artists are donating performances to raise funds for earthquake-affected families, including Luis Alfonso, Kapo, Pipe Bueno, Juliana, Andy Rivera, and Westcol. Tickets run COP 60,000 to COP 140,000, about USD 15 to USD 35. If you're in town Saturday and want to help, this and the Nacional match are the two organized ways to do it. (Infobae)
If you drive, pico y placa fines have been in force since Monday, August 10, and the weekly rotation starts over Monday, August 17. The grid: Monday plates ending 5 or 8, Tuesday 1 or 4, Wednesday 0 or 2, Thursday 3 or 6, Friday 7 or 9, restricted 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. Real fines are now COP 633,111 (about USD 158), plus possible impoundment, so it's worth checking your plate against the grid before Monday rather than after a ticket. Electric, hybrid, and registered natural-gas vehicles stay exempt. (Alcaldía de Medellín)
That's the week ahead: a city turning Saturday into a fundraising day through football and music, and a driving rule that resets Monday.
Medellín. Understood.
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Previously: What's happening in Medellín, Week of August 3, 2026.