From midnight on the 1st of December every year, the whole city of Medellin lights up, from north to south; Christmas starts here and doesn’t end until the new year. Colombia is famous for its fireworks shows on the 1st and millions of Christmas light displays throughout the city. National Geographic named the Christmas lighting of Medellin among the top ten cities to view holiday lights in the world! Some of the best ones are La Playa avenue, Sabaneta, Envigado, and the main attraction at Parques Del Rio. Let’s not forget the ‘Dia de las velitas’, a beautiful ceremony celebrated with family and friends every year on the 7th of December.
There is so much to see all over the city throughout December; it’s the most vibrant, welcoming, and dynamic time of year to visit Medellin.
What to see in Medellin at Christmas time?
The Alborada
Celebrate the holidays like a paisa and start as you mean to go on. Every year, on the 1st of December at midnight, Colombians celebrate the Alborada, the unofficial start of Christmas goes off with a bang. The whole of the Aburrá Valley glows with fireworks displays. A tradition believed to have begun in 2003 when 849 members of the Cacique Nutibara paramilitary subdivision were demobilized in 10 districts of Medellín. The group distributed massive amounts of fireworks to celebrate their integration into civilian life.
If you listen carefully on December 1st, the areas where the unit ruled most strongly are said to have the loudest and most intense light displays. Nowadays, it’s more of a cultural practice throughout the city that all walks of life use as an excuse to get together with family and friends. The best places to see it are from one of the many viewpoints above the city.
Day of little candles
Before the Alborada began, the official start to December was celebrated on the 7th of the month with the ‘Dia, de las velitas’, which translates to the day of the little candles. This began as a predominantly catholic celebration that took place the evening before the Immaculate Conception.
Families and friends gather together at home and light candles, paper lanterns, and hang light displays, each flame representing a wish. In Medellin, locals place their candles on the street and enjoy an evening together with music, food, and drink. Walking through any neighborhood at night is an unforgettable experience as your pathway is lit by flickering lights.
Christmas lights
Medellin’s Christmas lights are world famous, as stated by National Geographic, and with good reason!
A tradition that began in 1851 at Plaza Mayor, the city hangs millions of lights throughout, with massive scale structures and impressive detail. You’ll see many giant light displays with a different theme every year, from boats to rainbows, or famous cartoon characters. Since the 1990s when the spectacle began, the central locations have been along the river Medellin and ‘La Playa’ avenue, but since has expanded to over 100 other locations throughout the city.
Take a city tour to enjoy the Christmas lights
Start at ‘La Playa’ avenue, near the Pablo Tobon Uribe Theatre, where a projector plays videos against the façade of the Metropolitan Cathedral of Medellín. Then turn onto Carabobo Street to San Juan Street, take the road to the Medellin River, and parallel to the river from the San Juan Bridge to the Guayaquil Bridge.
Since the new ‘Parques del Rio’ opened, located along the river between the Guayaquil y San Juan bridges, the main light display has been focused here. This year they celebrate 55 years of tradition, and it will be inspired by the Walt Disney movie ‘Encanto’. Or Charm. A movie that Colombia is very proud of because it celebrates the cultural diversity and magic of Colombia. Every year, over 3 million people arrive to explore the impressive route of lights along the river.
If you still have any Christmas spirit and energy left, we suggest getting transport to the south of the city to enjoy some of the most impressive light displays in Envigado and Sabaneta parks. The perfect place to end a festive night with some local food, the typical buñelo and natilla, and a beer while you soak up the Christmas cheer with the paisas.
A Christmas lights city tour would be best enjoyed with an expert, local guide, or concierge, like the ones Medellin VIP provides. A first-class city tour experience of Medellin through the eyes of a local, without getting lost or having to arrange your own transport to and from the many locations. Experiences include tours, vacation rentals, and VIP services, count on us to arrange the most complete and luxurious experience.
Medellin VIP will provide you with a full-service vacation and a personal concierge to assist you throughout your trip to Medellin, so you can sit back, relax, and enjoy.
