The arrival of December in Colombia marks the beginning of a festive atmosphere that envelops the entire country for more than four weeks. It is not just about the celebration of December 25, but about a prolonged period in which popular culture, Christian tradition, and daily life come together in a unique festive spirit that has been eagerly awaited for months.
Starting in late November, cities and towns begin to transform: the streets fill with lights, shops decorate their windows, and the so-called “December music” bursts out on every corner with rhythms of salsa, cumbia, tropical music, and Christmas carols that accompany the holiday spirit. In Colombia, December is a season lived intensely, like a collective celebration that honors family, faith, and shared joy.
Colombia lights up for Christmas as December begins
As December comes to an end, the entire country enters a state of anticipation. Major cities compete to light up the most spectacular Christmas displays, attracting thousands of visitors who stroll through illuminated avenues, bridges, and parks. In this friendly competition, Medellín has been in the lead for years.
In cities, towns, and every corner of the country, families begin to set up nativity scenes, which in many cases are true works of folk art. This initial atmosphere of preparation, marked by shopping, gatherings, and the first holiday melodies, lays the foundation for what will be a month dominated by traditions and social gatherings.
And Christmas is experienced with a very special passion in Colombia, one that goes beyond religious tradition and becomes a moment to celebrate life, family, and friendship. In a context of constant festivity, a tropical Christmas sweeps across the country amid diverse musical rhythms, where joy and family are at the center.
Even though Christmas rituals have been appearing everywhere for weeks, December 7 is the day on which Colombia officially kicks off the holiday season with a very special celebration: the Day of the Little Candles.
The Day of the Little Candles: the night that lights up Christmas
Every December 7, Colombia lights up from north to south with thousands of tiny lights that bring to life one of its most emblematic celebrations: the Day of the Little Candles. This tradition, which marks the official start of the Christmas season, brings together families, neighbors, and visitors around a ritual that blends devotion, memory, and collective joy.
The day begins at dusk, when parks, streets, sidewalks, and windows fill with candles and lanterns made by children and adults. Although its origin is tied to the Catholic celebration of the Immaculate Conception, the Day of the Little Candles has transcended religious boundaries and has become a cultural expression deeply rooted in national identity. Beyond the symbolic act of lighting a candle, the day invites people to share, give thanks, and renew their hopes for the coming year.
In cities like Medellín, Cali, or Barranquilla, as well as in towns across all regions, the lighting of candles is combined with music, food, and community activities. In Bogotá, many neighborhoods organize lantern walks and gatherings that strengthen social bonds and create an atmosphere of fellowship. In rural areas, the tradition retains a more intimate feel: families gather around courtyards and doorways to light candles in honor of absent loved ones and to ask for protection.
The ‘Novenas’: prayers, carols, and community
The tradition of the novenas de aguinaldos in Colombia is one of the most deeply rooted December rituals and, at the same time, one of the most eloquent expressions of how the country experiences Christmas. Although its origin is profoundly religious—a Catholic practice that spiritually prepares for the birth of the Baby Jesus over nine days—in Colombian daily life the celebration has evolved into a gathering that prioritizes family, closeness, and the building of community over liturgical fervor.
In neighborhoods, residential complexes, offices, and homes, the novenas become a meeting point where people of all ages and backgrounds share the same space. The prayer, which includes readings, prayers, and Christmas carols, is usually just the starting point for something broader: an excuse to get together. Spontaneous applause from the little ones is common, as they celebrate each carol as if it were a game, while the adults hand out buñuelos and natilla, elements that have little that is sacred but much that is culturally cherished.
Although many attendees do not follow the religious part rigorously or may even be unfamiliar with its content, the sense of belonging generated by these gatherings keeps the tradition alive year after year. The “novenas” function as a kind of emotional bridge between generations, a reminder that December is, above all, a time to be together.
‘December music’ brightens the tropical Christmas
In Colombia, December has its own soundtrack. Every year, when the last month of the year begins, the well-known “December music” emerges: a festive repertoire deeply rooted in popular culture that accompanies family gatherings, novenas, street festivals, and early-morning celebrations. Although the season is lived in a tropical climate, the Christmas spirit is expressed through Caribbean, Andean, and urban rhythms that have transcended generations.
Among the pillars of this December sound are the compositions of Guillermo Buitrago, perhaps the greatest icon of Colombian Christmas music. Songs like “La víspera de Año Nuevo,” “El hijo de mi comadre,” and “Las mujeres a mí no me quieren” return each December as family anthems. His cheerful style, based on guitars and coastal rhythms, continues to mark the official start of the season.
Another essential name is that of maestro Crescencio Salcedo, author of “El año viejo,” popularized by Tony Camargo and later reinterpreted by countless artists. The phrase “yo no olvido el año viejo porque me ha dejado cosas muy buenas” has become a collective mantra for saying goodbye to December. Added to this list is Pastor López, whose cumbias — “El ausente,” “Traicionera,” — are indispensable at parties and on the radio.
The repertoire is completed by the traditional corraleros, the guarachas and cumbias of Los Corraleros de Majagual, as well as the songs of Rodolfo Aicardi, Fruko y sus Tesos, and Los 50 de Joselito, who shaped a joyful, danceable, and endearing style.
Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve in Colombia
The nights of December 24 and 31 are, for millions of families in Colombia, two of the most eagerly awaited moments of the year. In a country marked by regional diversity, these celebrations take on particular nuances that combine tradition, food, and a strong sense of family gathering.
Christmas Eve on December 24 remains the quintessential meeting point. Families gather early, often around nativity scenes and last-minute preparations, to wait for midnight among carols, hugs, and the anticipation of gifts.
However, beyond the religious symbolism, the evening is defined by an abundant dinner that varies by region: while turkey, roasted pork leg, and coconut rice tend to predominate on the Caribbean coast, in Antioquia and the Coffee Region it is common to serve tamales, stuffed turkey, and cold salads. In the Llanos, ternera a la llanera takes center stage, and in Pasto or Nariño, guinea pigs and empanadas de añejo stand out.
Likewise, the night of December 31 is lived with a mix of nostalgia and celebration. Families and friends gather to bid farewell to the year and share rituals that range from grapes at midnight to suitcases meant to attract new travels. This particular tradition — which is actually a good-luck ritual — consists of running out to the street right as January 1 begins, carrying a suitcase, in a ritual that — according to custom — increases the chances of travel during the year that has just begun.
The New Year’s Eve dinner also reflects the country’s diversity: on the coast, hearty seafood stews abound; in the interior, lechonas, tamales, and homemade roasts; and on the Pacific coast, dishes featuring fish and hierbas de azotea hold a special place.
Beyond yellow as a symbol of good fortune — in clothing or flowers — incense and resolutions forgotten just days into the new year are part of the traditions of this important date. December begins, and with it, the most special and endearing time of the year.