Christmas Day(Christmas) in 🇨🇴 Colombia

Colombian Christmas is one of the most spirited and prolonged celebrations in Latin America. The season begins on December 7 with Dia de las Velitas (Day of the Little Candles), when families and neighborhoods fill streets, balconies, and windowsills with candles and paper lanterns in honor of the Virgin Mary. Entire blocks glow with thousands of flickering lights.

From December 16 to 24, Colombians celebrate the Novena de Aguinaldos, nine nights of communal prayer where families rotate hosting duties. Each evening, the novena prayers are read aloud, carols called villancicos are sung, and hosts serve natilla (a custard-like dessert), buñuelos (fried cheese dough balls), and hojuelas (crispy fried pastry with sugar).

Christmas Eve, Nochebuena, is the culmination. The feast features lechona (whole roast stuffed pig), tamales (each region has its own variety), ajiaco (chicken and potato soup, especially in Bogota), and an abundance of desserts. At midnight, families exchange gifts and set off fireworks. Nino Dios (Baby Jesus), rather than Santa Claus, is the traditional gift-bringer in Colombia.

Cali hosts the Feria de Cali from December 25 to 30, a massive salsa festival that extends the holiday spirit. Medellin's Alumbrados, an extraordinary Christmas light display along the Medellin River, draws millions of visitors each year and has been recognized as one of the best holiday light shows in the world.

Christian holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, observed on December 25 worldwide with gift-giving, festive meals, church services, and diverse cultural traditions.