Feliz Navidad!

Christmas time in Colombia opens officially on 7 December with a celebration called La Noche de las Velitas (Candles’ night). On this date, families get together to light lots of candles or lanterns in front of their houses, symbolising an invitation to the Virgin Mary to come into their houses to bless them.

The streets are also filled with lights and decorations. This is called Los alumbrados. The main cities such as Bogota, Medellin and Cali create a festival of colours at night, with fireworks that attract visitors from all over the country and the world.

Christmas in Colombia is like a big party. It’s a time to retreat and enjoy family reunions which are special times to express love, share with friends and, of course, pray the Novena de Aguinaldo.

For nine days, gathered around the manger and the Christmas tree, Colombians pray, sing carols, enjoy the joy of the holidays and share the message of the birth of Baby Jesus with the children.

In these meetings, they offer snacks, desserts and culinary dishes such as custard and donuts. Sometimes they celebrate until dawn at the pace of salsa, merengue, cumbia, vallenato and other rhythms of the fiestas colombianas.

December 24 is a magical night. After praying the last day of the Novena, families share a traditional Christmas dinner. The menu varies depending on the customs of each region, but some of los platos usually consumed in this period are tamales, stew, suckling pig, roast smoked pork and turkey stuffing. Cookies, bread fruit, sweets and desserts are also part La gastronomía of Christmas.

After midnight it is customary to share the giving of gifts, symbolising affection for loved ones and the importance of staying united in this time of love and peace. It seeks to strengthen ties and express love, gratitude, good wishes and solidarity.

For children, Christmas is even more special. Some await the arrival of midnight on December 24 to open gifts that the Christ Child brings as a reward for good behaviour, while others wake up on the morning of December 25 to pick up the gifts at the manger and share with their parents and siblings.

On the night of December 31, the cycle of celebrations end with the arrival of the New Year. On this day, Colombian families gather to give thanks for all the opportunities they have received during the year which has just ended and to celebrate the beginning of a new year.

Feliz Navidad!

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