“The Festival of Lights is one of the most essential celebrations in Medellin, where countless colorful lights adorn the most iconic public squares and plazas. National Geographic has voted it one of the world’s top 10 holiday lights destinations. Over 4 million tourists visit Medellin during the holiday as millions of Christmas lights transform the city at night.
These are a series of cultural events and concerts during the festival. The Christmas lights in Medellin are known as “El Alumbrado.” “The Festival of Lights is one of the most essential celebrations in Medellin, where countless colorful lights adorn the most iconic public squares and plazas. National Geographic has voted it one of the world’s top 10 holiday light destinations. Over 4 million tourists visit Medellin during the holiday as millions of Christmas lights transform the city at night. A series of cultural events and concerts are held during the festival.
The Museum of Antioquia offers free admission for everyone during the holiday season. Christmas lights illuminate the area around the Medellin River and La Playa Avenue. Over a hundred other locations over 16 sectors around Medellin have also been decorated recently, including Botero Park, Nutibara Hill, 70th Street, 80th Street, 33rd Avenue, and Las Palmas Road.
The lights have been switched on since late November; however, the official start date for the festival is Dec 7, the Day of Little Candles. Little Candles Day (Día de las velitas) is Colombia’s widely observed traditional holiday. It is celebrated on the eve of the Immaculate Conception, a public holiday in Colombia. The lights are switched on each evening at 6 pm.
El Alumbrado is the perfect time to visit Medellin, with balmy weather and a carnival-like atmosphere as the city pulses with new life. The sidewalks are packed with food stalls as giant 3d figures twirl along the Medellin River.