Christmas in Colombia 2026
Colombia takes December seriously. Medellín lights up its river and parks, on the night of December 7 the whole country lights candles for the Noche de las Velitas, families gather for the Novena de Aguinaldos from December 16 to 24, and on December 25 Cali starts its six-day salsa fair.
This guide separates what's confirmed for 2026 from what hasn't been announced, and flags which dates come from last year.
The Dates
| Date | What | Where | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Late November to mid-January | Alumbrados EPM (Christmas lights) | Medellín and 14 more Antioquia towns | Confirmed for 2026; dates not yet announced |
| Monday, Dec 7 (night) | Noche de las Velitas | Nationwide | Fixed on the calendar |
| Dec 16–24 | Novena de Aguinaldos | Nationwide, mostly at home | Tradition |
| Dec 25–30 | 69th Feria de Cali | Cali | Confirmed |
Medellín's Christmas Lights
Medellín's utility company, EPM, has confirmed the Alumbrados for 2026, and this year 14 more towns in Antioquia get their own displays, including El Retiro, Jericó and San Pedro de los Milagros. The start date, theme and locations haven't been announced. They usually come in November.
For reference, the 2025 season:
- Dates: November 28, 2025 to January 12, 2026.
- Hours: 6pm to midnight.
- Cost: free.
- Where: 61 locations. The main display ran along the Paseo del Río and Parques del Río, with more on Avenida La Playa, Parque de Bolívar, Plaza Botero, Parque Lleras, Carrera 70, Cerro Nutibara and the Ayacucho tram corridor.
Tip: use the Metro. In December 2025 it closed at 10pm on the 24th and the 31st, so plan your ride home on those nights.
Medellín in December is also high season for nomads. Our digital nomad guide to Medellín covers the rest of the city.
Noche de las Velitas, Monday December 7
On the night before the feast of the Immaculate Conception, families place candles and paper lanterns on doorsteps, sidewalks and balconies. It's one of the most beautiful nights of the Colombian year, and the unofficial start of Christmas.
In 2026, December 8 falls on a Tuesday and it's a national holiday, so the candles go out on the night of Monday, December 7.
It's a religious and family tradition, not a show. If you're a visitor, walk a neighborhood after dark, and if a family invites you to light a candle, it's a real welcome.
Novena de Aguinaldos, December 16–24
For nine nights before Christmas, families and neighbors gather to pray the novena, sing villancicos and share natilla and buñuelos. It's mostly at home, but many neighborhoods, churches and shopping centers hold open novenas.
The Feria de Cali, December 25–30
The 69th Feria de Cali runs December 25–30, 2026, opening with the Salsódromo, a parade of the city's salsa schools. The organizers have confirmed the Salsódromo returns, and that the Agüelulo, Barrio Obrero's salsa gathering, expands to several days.
The 2026 day-by-day program hasn't been published yet. In 2025 the parades ran along the Autopista Suroriental: the Salsódromo on the 25th, then the Fiesta de mi Pueblo, classic cars and the Cali Viejo carnival. The Superconcierto was on the 27th at Estadio Pascual Guerrero, and the collectors' Encuentro de Melómanos ran December 26–30. There were also dozens of free events across the city.
Tickets: parade seats are sold as season passes (abonos) through the operator the organizers announce. Wait for that announcement, and don't buy from pages already selling a 2026 program.
The rest of the year in the city: Cali events guide.
Planning a Colombian December
Book early. December is peak season in Medellín, Cali and Cartagena, and Colombians travel home for the holidays, so flights fill up too.
Build the trip around the dates. One possible route: Medellín's lights in early December, the Velitas on the 7th, and Cali for the fair from the 25th.
Holidays change the rhythm. December 8 and 25 are national holidays. On the 24th and 31st many places close early, because families celebrate at home.
We don't publish prices. They change, and a wrong number costs readers money.
FAQ
When do Medellín's Christmas lights start in 2026? It hasn't been announced. In 2025 they were switched on on November 28 and ran until January 12. The 2026 date usually comes in November.
Are Medellín's Christmas lights free? Yes. In 2025 every location was free.
When is the Noche de las Velitas 2026? The night of Monday, December 7, the eve of the Immaculate Conception holiday on Tuesday, December 8.
When is the Feria de Cali 2026? December 25–30, 2026. It's the 69th edition, opening with the Salsódromo.
What is the Novena de Aguinaldos? Nine nights of prayer, carols and food, December 16–24, mostly with family.
Summary
Medellín's lights are confirmed; the dates come in November. Velitas: Monday, December 7. Novena: December 16–24. Feria de Cali: December 25–30. Book early and wait for the official ticket announcements.
In Spanish: Alumbrados de Medellín 2026 and Feria de Cali 2026.
More December across Latin America: Christmas & December events.
See what's on in Colombia — browse events.