In Colombia, what is the tradition of lighting candles on December 7 called?

In Colombia, the tradition of lighting candles on December 7 is called Día de las Velitas, or Day of the Little Candles.

Families mark the evening by placing candles and paper lanterns outside homes, along streets, in windows and near churches. The warm lights turn neighbourhoods into illuminated gathering places and traditionally honour the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary. The celebration is widely regarded as the unofficial beginning of Colombia’s Christmas season.

Día de las Velitas takes place on the eve of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, which is observed on December 8. The Catholic doctrine was formally proclaimed by Pope Pius IX in 1854 through the papal bull Ineffabilis Deus. In many communities, the candle-lighting begins at sundown on December 7 and continues into the early hours of December 8.

Regional customs vary. Some cities hold processions, fireworks, public light displays or elaborate lantern competitions; Quimbaya is especially known for its candle-and-lantern festival. It is not the same as Novena de Aguinaldos, the nine-day Christmas devotional period that begins later in December. The name may also appear as Noche de las Velitas, but Día de las Velitas is the standard answer.