Colombia’s Día de las Velitas is traditionally celebrated on 7 December, when people display candles and lanterns.
The festival begins on the evening of 7 December and often continues into 8 December, the Catholic feast of the Immaculate Conception. Families place candles and paper lanterns in windows, doorways, balconies and streets. Towns and neighborhoods may compete informally over decorations, creating large illuminated public displays.
The custom is especially important in Colombia’s Christmas season and is commonly described as its unofficial beginning. Although it has Catholic associations, participation is also a broad cultural tradition involving families, municipalities and visitors.
The name means “Day of the Little Candles.” It should not be confused with Christmas Eve, when many other Colombian celebrations take place. The date is fixed because the celebration leads into the Immaculate Conception feast on 8 December.