Today I want to share some of the Christmas and New Year's traditions that I grew up with in Colombia.
Like many people who left Colombia and have been in another country for a long time, I've lost touch with many of these wonderful traditions. Colombia is mostly a Catholic country, so most of the December celebrations are based around this religion.
El Día de las Velitas (The Day of the Candles): December 7th is when people light candles in front of their houses or on their balconies, in honor of the Virgin Mary and the Christmas lights are turned on for the first time.
Alumbrados Navideños (Christmas Lights): Every December, Colombian cities and towns are filled with wonderful decorations with lights. I was lucky to grew up in Medellín, where during the Christmas season, plazas, parks, rivers and streets, shine with the most colorful, beautiful and creative art, made with lights. I took rides with my friends or family to see these lights on a chiva, what literally translates goat, yet is a colorful and rustic open bus. There were drinks, loud music and we would sing our favorite songs throughout the ride around the city, while looking at the Alumbrados (Christmas lights).
(These beautiful pictures of Alumbrados in Medellín were taken by Camilo, a very good friend from Colombia. Thank you,Camilo!)
El árbol de Navidad (The Christmas Tree): This tree is usually located beside the nativity. We place gifts under the tree for family and friends which we give on December 16, when the Novena de Aguinaldos starts. Aguinaldo means Christmas gift in Spanish.
Las Novenas (Christmas Prayers): Novenas are daily prayers beginning nine days before Christmas, to prepare before the arrival of El Niño Jesus (the baby Jesus). We go from one relative’s home to another every night and gather around the pesebre (nativity) and have Christmas appetizers, pray and sing villancicos (Christmas carols), which we sing along with rattles we make of bottle caps passed through a wire. This was one of my favorite traditions.
Noche Buena (Christmas Eve Dinner): These festivities start late in the evening with family members gathering around a table filled with all our traditional Colombian Christmas foods. Our parties are full of joy, drinks, music and dancing. Children wait for el niño Jesus in Colombia to bring the gifts. While we knew about Santa Clause, he didn't come to Colombia 🙂
Traditiones para Fin de Año (New Year's Traditions): Some of the traditions for celebrating the New Year in Colombia may sound kind of crazy to people from other cultures, but many Colombians will be performing some of these traditions on December 31. Here is a list of a few such traditions and their translations, bearing in mind that I am in no way suggesting that you perform any of them! 😉
Las Uvas (The Grapes): Eat 12 grapes at midnight, each grape representing a month in the New Year, and make a wish every time a grape is eaten.
Champaña (Champagne): Champagne is poured all over the body at midnight for prosperity.
La Maleta (The Suitcase): Run around the block with an empty suitcase at midnight on December 31, and the New Year will be filled with travel.
Los Calzones Amarillos (The Yellow Underwear): Wear yellow underwear to have prosperity in the New Year.
Here are some traditional Christmas Colombian dishes, if you are looking for more recipes to make this holiday season check my post with 30 appetizers, desserts, drinks, main dishes and side dishes.
Natilla Colombiana (Colombia-Style Pudding)
Brevas Caladas (Colombian-Style Figs with Syrup)
Lechona Tolimense (Colombian-Style Stuffed Pork)
Cañon de cerdo (Colombian-Style Pork Loin Roast)
Pernil de Cerdo (Colombian Style Roasted Pork Leg)
Sabajón (Colombian-Style Eggnog)
Pavo Asado Navideño (Christmas Turkey)
Torta Negra Colombiana (Colombian Black Cake)
Ensalada Rusa (Russian Salad)
Caroll Buitrago
There is nothing like Colombian Christmas, I do the candle night and novenas to keep the tradition with my kids and is really special although miss the nice weather and people celebrating.
Adriana
I have news for you, Santa Claus has been visiting Colombia since at least 1950! And Rudolph too! They had to be careful not to crash into Niño Dios while delivering packages to his half-Gringo half-Caleño fans! Milk and cookies, Hojaldras, tamales, eggnog and sabajon flowed like water!
Lina
Colombian here, you forgot to include Los aguinaldos - https://www.eltiempo.com/archivo/documento/CMS-4731680
Adriana
A few more holiday traditions in Colombia:
- La Feria de Cali starts after Christmas with bullfights and partying
- December 28 is El Día de los Inocentes - similar to April Fools Day. In El Saladito, outside of Cali a costumed parade of local folks called La Murga winds it’s way to all of the homes.
Alan Bowman
Feliz Navidad y prospero Año 2018 de españa
Mala
I'm so happy to have found your blog! We will spend Christmas and New year's in and around medellin with my son who is studying there. He loves it. I know what I will give as a christmas presents this year - yellow underwear!
I can't wait to do some cooking using local products!
Samantha
This is a really informative blog about Colombia. I am part Colombian and picked this country for my Christmas project.
Kara
Our oldest son was adopted from Colombia and we spent 2 months in his beautiful country. Even though our son has special needs, we still try to incorporate food and traditions into our life. I can't wait to share your site with our group of Colombian Adoptive Families. Thank you for the great resource!
Kit Garcia
My favorite tradition on New Years is the burning of the Ano Viejo. We stuff ours with all sorts of fireworks, which means that randomly through the event there is popping and small explosions in the fire. HAHAHA!!
Bill
I was uprooted from Colombia when I was fifteen, never to go back. This is the first time I see how much I have lost. Thanks for the memories!
bob job
what about the festival of the flowers
Erica Dinho
Es en Agosto!
María M
Hey Erika, I am so happy to find your blog...you made me tears down when I read about Chiva! the music and the trips watching the lights... I have done it in Pereira, my city. Thanks so much to share your knowledge with us... it ll be my first Christmas far away from my lovely Colombia. Even my husband is so sweet and he is trying to make me feel happy, our traditions and essence is very difficult to replace. any way I ll try to make my Natilla and Buñuelos. 🙂 thanks and Merry Christmas for everybody who is enjoying of your blog!
Velva
I know that you miss extended family and friends in Colombia. Glad you shared a few of your traditions with us. These are wonderful traditions and great food dishes to share during the Christmas holidays.
Olga
I remember waiting at midnight for El Niño Dios to bring me my present!!!! Since I am from Bogota sometimes we had Ajiaco for dinner.
Luz Adriana
Erika tienes la receta de arroz con atun? No la encuentro!! Ayer recibi de Colombia 6 latas de atun en aceite de oliva!! Yo aqui no compro atun pues parece comida para gatos. Gracias de antemano.
Erica
Le voy a preguntar a mi mamá por la receta y te la pongo aqui.
Lori
I enjoyed reading about your traditions so much! I love learning how holidays are celebrated around the world. I'm going to have my grapes ready for New Years and that year filled with travel definitely has my attention!