Colombian pride and willingness to throw a party come together in a magical way around the winter holidays. Christmas in Colombia is a beautiful and unique experience. So, whether you’re headed there yourself, or hosting someone from there, it’s helpful to understand some of the different customs and celebrations that take place around Christmastime in Colombia.
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Noche de las Velitas
On the night of December 7th, Colombians mark the beginning of the Christmas season with the Noche de las Velitas, or the Night of the Little Candles. This celebration has taken place since December 7, 1854, when the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary was declared official Catholic doctrine. This was celebrated around the world by the lighting of candles, and Colombians have carried this tradition ever since.
Small candles are lit on balconies, windowsills, and along sidewalks, and it’s common for vendors to sell candles in the days leading up to December 7th. After lighting their candles, many Colombians will take advantage of the following day being a holiday and head out to celebrate with family and friends.
Traditionally, this is also the night when Christmas decorations are lit across Colombia for the first time, and towns are suddenly awash in glittering holiday spirit.
Las Novenas
The Christmas tradition of Las Novenas is native to Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela. Its full name is Novenas de Aguinaldo, and it dates to the 1700s when a Catholic friar began saying prayers for the nine days leading up to Christmas Eve. Each of the nine days, from December 16th through the 24th, corresponds to a reading that covers Biblical history right before Jesus’s birth.
Colombians attend these readings with their extended families, church groups, and friends. Afterward, the groups may have a small get-together at someone’s house with snacks and drinks. These readings are a way to connect with faith for religious Colombians; for the more secular individuals, they’re a way to keep a tradition alive while also getting together with family and friends.
Traditional Colombian Christmas food
Colombian food is delicious and steeped in tradition, and the food around Christmas is no exception. There are regional specialties and variations, of course, but there are a few iconic dishes that make an appearance on Christmas dinner tables across the country:
- Buñuelos are small, fried fritters in the shape of balls made from cornmeal and cheese. They resemble donut holes, but they skew more salty and savory than sweet.
- Natilla is a common Colombian Christmas dessert. It makes an appearance year-round as a sweet snack but is especially popular around the holidays. This set custard is flavored with cinnamon and unrefined brown sugarcane called panela.
Christmas Eve dinner is the main holiday meal eaten by most Colombians. The night itself is referred to by Colombians as Noche Buena, or “the good night,” and dishes usually include:
- Lechona, which is pork stuffed with rice and peas.
- Ajiaco bogotano, which is a soup made from potato, corn, and chicken.
- Arepas, which are deep-fried cornmeal cakes stuffed with meat or vegetables.
Sending money to Colombia
If you’re planning to spend the holiday season in South America, using a digital wallet might be the move for seamless payment and fraud protection, even when travelling internationally. It makes it easy to send and receive international money transfers and manage your money while traveling to another country.
Similarly, if you’re missing family in Colombia at Christmas time and want to make sure they get all the presents they deserve, sending money to Colombia from the U.S. is a snap with Western Union. Create an account to send money online or download the Western Union app to get started.
