Christmas in Colombia
Colombia begins Christmas earlier than almost any other country. The Dia de las Velitas (Day of the Little Candles) on December 7 lights up the entire nation with millions of candles and paper lanterns. The Novena de Aguinaldos, nine days of prayer from December 16 to 24, structures the season. And the celebration does not end until January 6, when the Three Kings arrive and the country's famous street parties and aguinaldo games fill every neighborhood.
Colombia starts Christmas on December 7 with an act of collective illumination. On the Dia de las Velitas, every household, shop, and street in the country fills with candles and paper lanterns. Neighborhoods glow. Cities blaze. It is one of the most visually stunning Christmas traditions on earth, and it is only the beginning. What follows is the Novena de Aguinaldos, nine days of communal prayer, food, and competitive Christmas games that build to Nochebuena, a midnight feast of lechona and tamales under fireworks.
Dia de las Velitas: A Country on Fire
On the evening of December 7, the eve of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, Colombia lights up. Candles are placed on windowsills, doorsteps, sidewalks, and streets. Paper lanterns (faroles) hang from trees and balconies. In some neighborhoods, entire blocks coordinate their displays. The effect, multiplied across a country of 50 million people, is extraordinary. Medellin's Alumbrados along the river and Bogota's park installations add millions of LED lights to the candle glow.
The Novena: Nine Days of Community
From December 16 to 24, Colombian families and communities gather each evening for the Novena de Aguinaldos, a nine-day cycle of prayers, carols (villancicos), and food. The prayers, written by Fray Fernando de Jesus Larrea in the 18th century and revised in the 19th century, are read aloud. Villancicos are sung. Then natilla (a firm custard) and bunuelos (fried cheese balls) are served, because no Colombian prayer meeting is complete without food.
The Novena rotates between homes, and hosting is both an honor and a logistical challenge. Alongside the prayers, aguinaldo games add competition. In 'dar y no recibir,' you must give an object to your partner without accepting anything in return. In 'si y no,' certain words are forbidden. The loser buys the winner a gift.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Dia de las Velitas?
The Day of the Little Candles is celebrated on December 7, the eve of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Every Colombian household and street is illuminated with candles and paper lanterns. It marks the official start of the Colombian Christmas season and is one of the most visually spectacular traditions in the world.
What is the Novena de Aguinaldos?
A nine-day devotion from December 16 to 24, during which Colombian families gather each evening for prayers, carols, and food. Hosting duties rotate among family members. Natilla and bunuelos are served at every gathering. The tradition structures the entire Colombian Christmas season.
What do Colombians eat at Christmas?
The Nochebuena meal features lechona (stuffed roast pig), tamales, natilla (sweet custard), and bunuelos (fried cheese dough balls). Empanadas, ajiaco (chicken soup), and chicha (fermented corn drink) also appear. The food served during the nine days of Novena is as important as the Christmas Eve feast itself.
Traditions & Customs
Dia de las Velitas (December 7)
The eve of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Every Colombian household, business, and street fills with candles and paper lanterns. Entire neighborhoods glow with thousands of lights. It is the official start of the Colombian Christmas season and one of the most visually spectacular Christmas traditions in the world.
Novena de Aguinaldos
From December 16 to 24, families and communities gather each evening to pray the Novena, a nine-day devotion with prayers, carols (villancicos), and food. Hosting duties rotate among family members and neighbors. Natilla and bunuelos are served at every gathering.
Nochebuena
Christmas Eve is the main family celebration. After the final Novena prayer, families share a late dinner of lechona (stuffed roast pig), tamales, natilla (custard), and bunuelos (fried cheese dough balls). Gifts are opened at midnight.
Alumbrados (Light Displays)
Colombian cities compete with spectacular light displays. Medellin's Alumbrados, along the Medellin River, feature millions of lights in elaborate designs and draw millions of visitors. Bogota, Cali, and Barranquilla also create major installations.
Aguinaldos (Christmas Games)
Throughout the Novena period, Colombians play aguinaldos, competitive games between pairs. Popular games include 'dar y no recibir' (give and don't receive), 'si y no' (yes and no), and 'pajita en boca' (straw in mouth). The games add playful competition to the season.
Pesebre (Nativity Scene)
Colombian nativity scenes are elaborate, often covering entire rooms. They include not just the Holy Family but also mountains, rivers, farms, and village scenes. Building the pesebre is a family project that begins in early December.
Christmas Markets
Medellin Alumbrados
Medellin's Christmas light display along the Medellin River is one of the most spectacular in the world. Millions of LED lights create tunnels, arches, and scenes that draw over 3 million visitors annually.
Bogota Christmas Lights
Bogota illuminates parks, plazas, and the Simon Bolivar Park with millions of lights. The city also hosts Christmas markets in Usaquen and other neighborhoods.
Key Dates
Dia de las Velitas
The Night of the Little Candles. Millions of candles and lanterns light up homes, streets, and parks across Colombia. It marks the official start of the Christmas season.
Novena de Aguinaldos
Nine evenings of communal prayer, carols, and food. Families rotate hosting duties. Natilla and bunuelos are served. Aguinaldo games add playful competition.
Nochebuena
The final Novena and the main family celebration. Late dinner of lechona, tamales, and natilla. Gifts from El Nino Dios are opened at midnight.
Navidad
A public holiday. A quieter day for recovering and visiting family. Leftover tamales sustain everyone.
Dia de los Reyes Magos
Three Kings Day. Children receive additional gifts. The Christmas season officially ends, though the alumbrados often continue into mid-January.
Christmas Carols
Tutaina
A Colombian villancico (Christmas carol) about the angels and shepherds at the Nativity. Its lively, rhythmic melody reflects the Colombian musical character and is sung during the Novena.
Ven a mi casa esta Navidad
A beloved Colombian Christmas song by Luis Aguilé about welcoming everyone to your home at Christmas. It captures the Colombian spirit of open-door hospitality during the season.
Mi burrito sabanero
Originally Venezuelan, this song about a boy riding his donkey to Bethlehem is beloved across Colombia. It is one of the most popular Christmas songs in Latin America.
