¡Desde septiembre se siente que viene diciembre! In Colombia, the December holiday season is no joke. Colombia is a catholic country and they celebrate all month long, and it is not just for Christmas. On December 1st in places like Cali and Medellín, people gather outside and light off fireworks to mark the start of December. Think of the fireworks show as the kind of display we get in the United States on the 4th of July. This is because they know the month ahead will be full of pretty lights, music, joy, and celebrating alongside your loved ones.
I recently learned about a holiday called Día de las Velitas (Day of the Little Candles). It is celebrated on December 7th in Colombia to kick off the Christmas season. On this night, people light candles and lanterns in their homes, streets, and public places. It’s a beautiful tradition meant to honor the Virgin Mary, creating a magical atmosphere with lights everywhere. Families gather, sing, and enjoy the start of the holiday season together.
Another tradition that I learned about is that Colombians (and those in most Spanish-speaking countries) actually celebrate Christmas on December 24th rather than December 25th. It’s a time for family and close friends to come together and enjoy a big, festive meal, music and each other's company.
