Christmas in Medellín
Light up your holidays in Medellín—the brightest Christmas in Latin America. Our famous alumbrados (spectacular citywide light displays) turn December into a month-long celebration, transforming the city into a can’t-miss destination to close out the year.
Beyond commemorating the birth of Jesus on December 25, Christmas here means gathering with loved ones, dancing to lively music, and savoring unforgettable flavors. Think warm nights, dazzling lights, and nonstop festive energy.
Why come now?
- Cheerful vibe: A city that celebrates every night of December.
- Great weather: Ideal for evening strolls under the lights.
- Rich culture: Traditions and experiences you won’t find anywhere else.
Ready to feel the glow? Book your December trip to Medellín and make your holiday season extraordinary.
What You’ll Find in This Guide
- How Christmas is celebrated in Medellín
- Christmas lights (alumbrados)
- Typical holiday foods
- Seasonal music
- Religious traditions
- Parties
- Agüeros (New Year’s Eve good-luck rituals)
What to do in Medellín at Christmas
- See the alumbrados in Medellín and the metro area
- Ride a chiva rumbera (party bus)
- Taste the local food scene
- Take a trip to nearby towns
Places to visit in Medellín at Christmas
- Pueblito Paisa
- Parques del Río
- Parque Norte
Where to spend Christmas in Medellín
Key Christmas dates
- December 7: Día de las Velitas (Day of the Little Candles)
- December 8: Parade of Myths and Legends
- December 16–25: Novenas, Christmas Eve, and Christmas
- December 31: New Year’s Eve
How Christmas Is Celebrated in Medellín?
In Colombia, December is a month to enjoy with family and friends—a time of renewal as one year ends and another begins.
It’s vacation season, when people splurge on gifts for others (and on their own estrén, or new outfit for the holidays), return to ancestral homes, travel, feast without guilt, drink, dance, party, and, of course, await the arrival of El Niño Dios (the Baby Jesus, who brings the gifts here instead of Santa Claus).
In Medellín, homes are decorated with lights, and the Aburrá Valley shines like a giant nativity scene for all 31 days of December.
- In working-class neighborhoods, parties spill into the streets. Blocks are closed to cars, people blast music, cook sancocho and natilla in the open air, and dance together.
- In middle- and upper-class areas, gatherings tend to be more intimate, held inside with large meals. Until recently, my family would meet on Christmas Eve to pray the final novena and play “secret friend” (amigo secreto, also known as Secret Santa).
Despite differences, there are traditions almost every paisa (Medellín local) shares.
Christmas Lights (Alumbrados)
Illuminated figures and displays are installed across the city—in places like the Medellín River, Parques del Río, Parque Norte, Pueblito Paisa, La 70, Las Palmas, and Avenida La Playa. Each year, the theme changes, making the displays new and exciting.
Typical Holiday Foods
Alongside the main Christmas dinner, some of the most traditional treats are buñuelos (fried cheese fritters), natilla (a custard-like dessert), and empanadas—all corn-based. Other favorites include rice pudding and sugar-dusted hojuelas.
Holiday Music
Beyond carols sung at novenas, the most popular genre in Medellín is tropical music. It’s heard year-round, but in December it takes over completely, often reinvented by younger generations through new styles.
Religious Traditions
Most December celebrations are rooted in religion: the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, the novenas, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. Many families also set up a nativity scene (pesebre), placing the Baby Jesus figure in it on December 25.
Parties
Although December is festive overall, the two biggest nights are December 24 and 31. Families gather for dinner, then young people often head out to party in nightlife areas like La 45, Provenza, Parque Lleras, and La 70.
Agüeros (Good-Luck Rituals)
On New Year’s Eve, people practice various rituals for luck and prosperity: wearing yellow underwear, filling their pockets with lentils, eating 12 grapes at midnight, or walking around the block with a suitcase to attract travel in the coming year.
What to Do in Medellín at Christmas
The city welcomes thousands of visitors in December, so there are plenty of special plans and tours to make the season unforgettable.
See the Alumbrados in Medellín and the Metro Area
This is the ultimate Christmas activity. The lights attract thousands of visitors every night and are set up in public spaces, meaning admission is free and you can walk through at your own pace. Along the way, you’ll find street food, vendors, performers, and fair-style attractions.
Ride a Chiva Rumbera
Chivas are colorful, hand-painted buses traditionally used in rural areas to transport people and goods. In Medellín, they’ve been turned into mobile party buses with music, dancing, and drinks. It’s a fun way to see the alumbrados and explore the city’s neighborhoods at the same time.
Taste the Local Gastronomy
Of course, you’ll want to try the iconic bandeja paisa, but Medellín’s food scene goes far beyond that. From tropical fruits to unique desserts, the variety is incredible. Don’t miss the chance to try typical snacks like buñuelos and empanadas, pair them with strong Colombian coffee, and maybe even taste exotic fruits like borojó.
Visit Nearby Towns
With a few extra days, you can explore picturesque towns like Guatapé, known for its colorful houses and the Piedra del Peñol rock, or Santa Fe de Antioquia, famous for its colonial charm.
What to See in Medellín at Christmas
Beyond the December celebrations, Medellín has plenty of amazing things to do year-round. But during Christmas, some tourist spots become absolute must-visits because they host the city’s famous holiday lights (alumbrados) and seasonal activities.
Pueblito Paisa
Medellín is located in a region of Colombia called Antioquia, and locals from this region are known as Paisas. This attraction is a replica of a traditional Antioquian village and the perfect place to do three things:
- Enjoy a hearty bandeja paisa (the region’s signature dish).
- Shop for handicrafts and souvenirs.
- Take in panoramic views of the city.
Parques del Río
This linear park runs alongside the Medellín River and is a great spot to spend an afternoon—grab some food, watch locals walking their pets, or enjoy cultural activities like dance performances. In December, it becomes the main entrance to the Medellín River alumbrados.
Parque Norte
If you’d like to add some adrenaline to your trip, head to Parque Norte, located right next to Parque Explora, the Botanical Garden, and the Parque de los Deseos. Aside from its rides and attractions, in December the park decorates its central lake with stunning illuminated figures.
👉 To make the most of your trip, don’t limit yourself to just these places—there are many other tourist spots in the city waiting to be discovered.
Where to Spend Christmas in Medellín
In December, tourism in the city spikes. If you’re planning to visit during the holidays, it’s best to book your accommodation in advance. In the next article, you’ll find the most complete guide to Medellín hotels, with recommendations on the best neighborhoods and lodging options for every budget and need.
Important Christmas Dates in Medellín
December 1: Alborada
This one happens between November 30 and December 1. It’s basically an all-night fireworks blast, with people shooting pyrotechnics into the sky. The tradition is fairly new and, honestly, its origins are a bit murky—tied to the demobilization of paramilitary groups.
You won’t see much about it in official guides because the city’s been trying to phase it out—there are lots of firework injuries, and the explosions aren’t great for local wildlife.
Still, it’s worth knowing about because, like it or not, it sort of kicks off December—and fireworks are here to stay. So during the alborada (that fireworks kickoff), don’t freak out if you hear booms. And if you’re traveling with pets, prep ahead to keep them calm.
December 7: Día de las Velitas (Day of the Little Candles)
In fact, this celebration takes place on December 7th and 8th. It’s a ritual dedicated to the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary. During those two nights, people light candles and lanterns in the city streets.
Traditionally—long before the alborada (the early-December fireworks kickoff)—the Día de las Velitas (“Day of Little Candles”) marked the start of Christmas in Medellín. Medellín’s holiday light displays are often switched on around this date. The candles have a special meaning: when you light them, you can make a wish.
As a child, I wasn’t very aware of the religious side of this festivity. Instead, we kids had fun making candeladas del diablo (“devil’s bonfires”), big bursts of flame made by mixing wax with other liquids on a hot metal surface.
December 8: Parade of Myths and Legends
Myths and legends are stories rooted in the oral traditions of local communities. Some of the most deeply ingrained characters in our culture are La Madremonte, La Patasola, El Hojarasquín del Monte, La Llorona, and El Mohán.
Around December 8th, a festival takes place in which different artistic groups bring these and many other characters to life as they parade through the city.
December 16 – 25: Novenas, Christmas Eve, and Christmas
The Novena de Aguinaldos (a traditional Catholic prayer gathering in Colombia and other Latin American countries, where families and friends come together to pray, sing carols, and share food) is observed during the nine days leading up to Christmas, from December 16th to the 24th.
On December 24th, Christmas Eve is celebrated with the traditional holiday dinner and festivities that continue into the next day, when Christmas officially arrives. And in case you didn’t know, here it’s not Santa Claus who brings the presents—it’s the Baby Jesus (El Niño Dios).
December 31: New Year’s Eve
Just like in the rest of the world, New Year’s is celebrated here with parties, fireworks, and one of our unique traditions: the agüeros (popular good-luck rituals meant to attract prosperity and happiness for the coming year).
On this day, people take to the streets wearing yellow underwear, put lentils in their pockets, and walk around the block with a suitcase. All of this is done in hopes of ensuring good fortune and prosperity in the year ahead.
- Keep in mind that, since this is such a commercial season, the prices of goods and services tend to rise more than at any other time of the year. However, this shouldn’t be an issue if you earn in dollars or euros.
- Because of the high influx of visitors, police security is reinforced at tourist sites. But that doesn’t mean you can move around with complete peace of mind. If you’re planning to attend crowded events like the Christmas light displays, take only what’s essential and avoid showing your belongings too much.
- Once again, even though I personally don’t like it, I must warn you that fireworks and pyrotechnics are inevitable during December. If you’re coming with pets, you’ll need to take precautions to protect them from the stress caused by the noise of the explosions.
