Colombia is a country full of cultural diversity, and this richness is especially evident during the Christmas and New Year festivities. From the beginning of December until the first week of January, Colombian streets, homes and hearts are filled with joy, lights and traditions that have been transmitted from generation to generation.
Christmas in Colombia: Traditions and Customs
Christmas lights
One of the most emblematic traditions of Christmas in Colombia is the Christmas lighting. Cities and towns are decorated with millions of lights that create dazzling night landscapes. The city of Medellín, in particular, is famous for its light show known as "Los Alumbrados de Medellín." This event attracts tourists from all over the world and transforms the city into a magical world of lights and colors. The lighting tradition is not only limited to public spaces; Many Colombian families decorate their houses with Christmas lights and decorations.
Ninth of Strenna
The Strenna Novena is a religious tradition that is celebrated during the nine days prior to Christmas Eve, from December 16 to 24. This novena consists of family or friend gatherings to pray, sing Christmas carols and share traditional foods. Each day of the novena has a series of specific prayers that are recited as a group. At the end of each session, it is common to enjoy typical dishes such as buñuelos, custard, and hojuelas. The novena is a time of union and spiritual reflection, as well as being an opportunity to strengthen family and community ties.
Christmas Eve
December 24, known as Christmas Eve, is one of the most important moments of the Christmas festivities in Colombia. Families gather to dine together and wait for the arrival of Baby Jesus, who, according to tradition, brings gifts to the children instead of Santa Claus. Christmas Eve dinner usually includes typical dishes such as suckling pig, tamales, turkey, and a variety of salads and desserts. After dinner, many families attend Midnight Mass, a religious celebration held at midnight to commemorate the birth of Jesus.
New Year's Eve in Colombia: Celebrations and Rituals
Day of the Innocents
On December 28, Colombians celebrate April Fool's Day, a holiday that commemorates the massacre of the Holy Innocents by order of King Herod. Although it has a religious origin, in Colombia this day has become a day of jokes and jokes, similar to April Fools Day in other countries. It is common for people to prank their friends and family, and the media also often participates with funny fake news.
Old Year and New Year
The farewell to the old year and the welcome of the new year are events full of symbolism and traditions in Colombia. On December 31, families gather for a special dinner, similar to Christmas Eve, with typical dishes and lots of joy. As midnight approaches, rituals begin to ensure a good year to come.
One of the most popular rituals is that of the twelve grapes. At 12 midnight, twelve grapes are eaten, one for each strike of the clock, while a wish is made for each grape. Another common ritual is to take an empty suitcase and walk around the block, hoping that the coming year will bring many trips and adventures.
The "Old Years" are dolls made from old clothes and stuffed with straw or paper, which are burned at midnight. These dolls symbolize the year that is ending and are burned to leave the bad behind and welcome the new. This tradition is accompanied by gunpowder and fireworks that illuminate the night sky.
Christmas and New Year's Eve Gastronomy
Gastronomy plays a fundamental role in Christmas and New Year's celebrations in Colombia. Dishes vary by region, but there are some foods that are common throughout the country during this season.
Fritters and Custard
Buñuelos and custard are two of the most representative sweets of Christmas in Colombia. Buñuelos are fried dough balls made from cheese and flour, served hot and crispy. Custard is a pudding-like dessert made with milk, sugar, cornstarch, and spices such as cinnamon. These sweets are especially enjoyed during the Strenna Novena meetings.
piglet
La lechona is a typical dish that is served during Christmas and New Year's celebrations. It consists of a roast pork stuffed with rice, peas, onion and spices. This dish is very popular in the Tolima region, but has spread throughout the country due to its delicious flavor and its ability to feed many people, making it ideal for large family gatherings.
Tamales
Tamales are another traditional dish that cannot be missing from the table during the Christmas and New Year season. These are prepared with corn dough filled with meat, chicken, pork, vegetables and other ingredients, wrapped in banana leaves and steamed. Each region of Colombia has its own version of tamales, which adds diversity and richness to this culinary tradition.
Music and Dance: The Soundtrack of Christmas and New Year's Eve
Music and dance are essential elements of Christmas and New Year's festivities in Colombia. Christmas carols, parrandas and cumbias create the festive atmosphere that characterizes this time of year.
Christmas carols
Carols are traditional Christmas songs sung during novenas, on Christmas Eve, and at other family gatherings. These songs, celebrating the birth of Jesus, are joyful and infectious, and many of them have been passed down from generation to generation. Some of the most popular ones in Colombia include "The Fishes in the River", "Silent Night", and "Tutaina".
Vallenatas Parrandas
In the Caribbean region of Colombia, Vallenata parrandas are an essential part of Christmas celebrations. These parties, accompanied by vallenato music, usually last all night and are an example of the joyful and festive spirit of Colombians. Vallenata music, with its accordions and emotional lyrics, is the soul of these celebrations, where dance and singing are the protagonists.
Cumbia and Tropical Music
Cumbia and other tropical music genres are also very popular during this season. These melodies invite you to dance and enjoy in the company of family and friends. At many New Year's Eve parties, it is common to hear cumbias and salsas that encourage everyone present to move to the rhythm of the music.
Solidarity and Sharing: The Spirit of Christmas in Colombia
Christmas in Colombia is not only about celebrating, eating and dancing; It is also a time for solidarity and sharing with those who need it most. Many organizations and communities hold charitable activities during this season to bring joy to those less fortunate.
Bonuses and Donations
Companies, schools and social organizations usually organize campaigns to collect bonuses, which are gifts intended for low-income children and families. These gifts include toys, clothing, food, and other essential items. The delivery of bonuses is carried out at community events where a moment of joy and hope is shared with the beneficiaries.
Community kitchens
During the Christmas season, community kitchens are organized in different parts of the country to offer Christmas dinners to people who are homeless or have low economic resources. These events are possible thanks to the collaboration of volunteers and food donations, and represent the true spirit of Christmas: sharing and helping others.
Christmas and the end of the year in Colombia are much more than a series of celebrations; They are an expression of the identity and soul of a country that knows how to celebrate life with joy, generosity and faith. Whether through the carols sung with fervor, the lights that illuminate every corner or the hugs shared at midnight on December 31, these festivities leave an indelible mark on the hearts of all Colombians and those who are fortunate enough to live these unique experiences.