Celebrating the unique Christmas traditions in Colombia

Undoubtedly, Colombia is festive and joyful and this is proven every time an important date in the year approaches. For Colombians, a special day immediately becomes a day worth celebrating. That's why the Christmas season becomes the star of all celebrations in this South American country. And despite the fact that, as in many countries, officially the important days are usually the 24th and 25th of December, Christmas in Colombia begins much earlier.

So, when a foreigner asks a Colombian: "When is Christmas in Colombia?", he or she is likely to reply that the Christmas holidays don’t necessarily begin in December. Although there are people who establish the 7th of December as the official start of Christmas, from the beginning of November onwards, you can see many shops filled with Christmas decorations to buy. From the typical Christmas pines to more religious items, such as the nativity scenes with the child of God. Colombians plan from the beginning of the year for a time of family celebrations, traditions, with lots of food and gifts.

How is Christmas celebrated in Colombia?

Colombia is a country that stands out at Christmas for its original and peculiar traditions. And while it’s i true that these are shared with some more global ones, such as the Christmas tree, the nativity scene or the typical dinners, the South American nation has been responsible for creating very Colombian celebrations. These may be inexplicable to other countries, but mean a lot to the Colombian identity and are replicated every December both inside and outside the country. Two of the most important are:

The Christmas lights

The "alumbrados", as they are commonly known, is what officially marks the beginning of the Christmas festivities in Colombia. It happens on the 7th of December with the celebration of Día de las Velitas (Candlelight Day). It stands out for being a wonderful party, where the streets are illuminated with coloured lights and candles that are lit to make wishes. In some places, such as Medellín and Villa de Leyva, they even manage to surprise year after year with their original lights. This makes them perfect place to travel to and watch the spectacle with family or friends.

In the country's capital, Bogotá, the lighting is also an essential part of Christmas and routes are even created to illuminate key spots in the city. One of the most popular is the one that takes place at the Hacienda Santa Bárbara, a traditional colonial-style shopping centre, located in the Usaquen district. Also, on Candlelight Day, the famous Tren de la Navidad (Christmas Train), a steam locomotive that has 14 carriages for 612 passengers, is 270 metres long and adorned with more than 10,000 metres of LED lights, starts its nightly trips to the Bogotá savannah. This is a popular attraction for locals and tourists alike.

The Christmas novenas

This tradition is one of the most sacred for any Colombian. With a religious and Catholic origin, the novenas begin on the 16th of December and last until the 24th with a very specific mission to pray every day and sing iconic Christmas carols. For this people, no matter where they are, come together whether with co-workers, family or friends, to carry out this heartfelt tradition. In addition to singing and having a good time, they also share the typical and usual Christmas meal in Colombia.

The Día de las Velitas and the novenas are two traditions deeply rooted in all Colombians when celebrating Christmas, and even people keep them abroad. So, it’s very common to see a Colombian lighting a candle during 7th of December anywhere in the world, or even praying every day between the 16th and the 24th. This way, no matter what the future holds, they make sure they stay a little closer to home and pass on the love for Colombia from generation to generation.

At WorldRemit, we've also done a study of the cost of Christmas around the world. For you then, lighting that candle away from home, it may be interesting to know the cost of Christmas in the place where, for the moment, your home is.

Find out, for example, how much it will cost you to set the table this festive season by accessing our study.

Traditional Christmas food in Colombia

Definitely one reason why Christmas is celebrated in Colombia in such a specific way is the food. Colombians like to eat and are known for having a great palate that enjoys the different flavours of their land. And the Christmas season is the right time for this. So, aside from the typical Colombian Christmas dishes that stand out for their variety on the table with different rice recipes, salads, cold meats and suckling pig, there are very typical products that, although they can be eaten all year round, in December they have a very special flavour. Some of them are:

Fritters

They are a favourite among adults and children, very typical to eat on Día de las Velitas along with a delicious custard. They’re usually spherical in shape and are made with cornflour and costeño cheese, a type of white cheese from the Colombian coast that can be found in every bakery in the country. One key to the fritters is the temperature of the oil used to fry them - if it is too cold or too hot, they can explode.

Custard

Another Día de las Velitas classic, this dessert is similar to flan and is made with cornstarch, milk, cinnamon, grated panela or sugar cane, butter and cheese. It is typical of the central region and Valle de Cauca. However, it is eaten all over the country and even supermarkets sell the mixture in ready-made form.

Flakes

It’s one of the oldest and most traditional delicacies in Colombia, as its preparation is as easy as it is delicious. It’s made with wheat flour, egg and sugar, and then fried in very hot oil. As well as being eaten at Christmas time, they’re also usually cooked during Lent and Easter. They’re typical, above all, of the Antioquia and Valle del Cauca regions.

Rice pudding

Yes, this famous dessert is also an indispensable part of Colombian Christmas cuisine. This dish is basically composed, as its name suggests, of rice and milk, and is also topped with panela, dried grapes and condensed milk. It is very common in the Andean region of the country and, although it is eaten all year round, it’s especially popular at Christmas.

Cheese stuffed potatoes

This preparation has its origins in the Valle del Cauca region, where it's considered a 'pasaboca' or snack to satisfy the appetite before lunch. And although it's a classic from the city of Cali, it can be found in all the squares and markets of Colombia.

Chicha de maíz

Finally, we could not fail to mention one of the most typical beverages during this time of the year. This chicha is a fermented corn-based drink, which is considered a refreshing drink for the Christmas season. Sometimes, a little alcohol is added to it.

Move to the rhythm of Colombian Christmas songs

As we've already established, Colombia at Christmas time is joy and this is shown, more than anything else, in its music. It’s the ideal time to play those classic and not-so-classic songs at full volume. Songs that were written to be sung at the top of your lungs, combining different genres, styles and hits from different generations to create a true Colombian Christmas party!

And while the latest Colombian singers such as J Balvin, Shakira and Maluma, cannot be left out, there’s also room for older artists, who generate a sense of nostalgia, happiness and love of their roots for all Colombians.

From the end of September or the beginning of October, this type of music begins to be played in Colombia and infects many with the Christmas feeling. A must is, for example, Guillermo Buitrago, better known as 'Buitraguito'. His traditional music, played with guitars and his raspy voice, sounds like peasant rhythms. It’s responsible for putting the stamp on the typical Paisa music, of the north west of Colombia. However, it’s not only traditional and Colombian music that has a place in the country's Christmas music. Since the 1960s, Venezuelan artists have been very popular on the other side of the border, and some of their most popular songs have become anthems for several generations of Colombians.

Venezuelan classics such as La Billo’s Caracas Boys and Los Melódicos, are, to this day, a must at any Christmas party in Colombia. This more danceable music, with influences from the Dominican Republic and Cuba, penetrated the hearts of Colombians willing to demonstrate how Christmas is celebrated to the rhythm of dance and fun, a little further away from the more traditional songs and quieter genres.

How to say Merry Christmas in Colombia

Colombia's official language is Spanish. Merry Christmas in Colombia is Feliz Navidad.

The perfect gift for a Colombian Christmas

If there’s one thing that’s always present at a Christmas celebration, it’s gifts. Whether it’s for the little ones in the house or for the older ones, this season stands out for being a time when gifts are received and given. As in many parts of the world, Colombia also follows the tradition of giving presents on the 24th of December, or as it is popularly called: Christmas Eve. Children are also used to wait for the Christ child, who makes his triumphant arrival with the gifts they asked for in their letter, on the night of this day or in the early morning of the 25th.

However, although it varies from family to family, adults also tend to give gifts to celebrate this special time of year and to end the year with good energy and immense gratitude. If there’s one thing that characterises Colombians, it’s their love for family and friends. And what better time than Christmas to show our generosity for others?

No matter the geographical barriers and borders, the Christmas holidays are the perfect time to be united, despite the distance, to remind our loved ones how much we love them.

Send money to loved ones in Colombia this Christmas with WorldRemit

We know that there are many Colombians far from home who continue to help their family back home, through, for example, remittances. So, if you’re not with loved ones during this holiday season, don't let this overshadow your Christmas. Call them and celebrate with your family, have dinner together and make a memory of this incredible year that’s almost over.

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