If you are interested in Colombian culture and travel, you might wonder how Colombian women celebrate Christmas and the New Year.
Since Christianity is the main religion, most traditional festivals center around Christian beliefs.
For Colombians, the holiday excitement begins early, with some starting preparations by late October, putting up decorations and getting ingredients ready for the Christmas Eve dinner.
They typically focus on faith (visiting churches), honoring the Virgin Mary (lighting candles), and gathering to sing Christmas songs. The celebration is described as a warm, festive time spent with family.
The holidays are something Colombian women look forward to every year. These key festive dates and events are integral to how Colombian culture celebrates the season:
On December 7th, locals celebrate Día de las Velitas, or Little Candles Day. This tradition honors the Virgin Mary.
By lighting candles during Día de las Velitas, Colombians believe the Virgin Mary can see them and bless them with good health for the New Year.
How locals practice this tradition:
Christmas lights are a major part of the celebration. In Medellin, the Alumbrados Navideños display is a key tourist attraction.
Because the majority of people in Medellin practice Christianity, Las Novenas is one of their core traditions. This religious festival takes place for nine days leading up to Christmas.
Las Novenas is seen more as a family gathering than a somber celebration. It is a time for families to experience the warmth of the Colombian festive season.
Activities during Las Novenas:
On Christmas Eve, families typically gather under one roof to celebrate Cena de Navidad (Christmas dinner). The holiday meal is described as like a buffet, featuring a variety of dishes.
The Christmas feast often includes the following:
After the Christmas meal, some people attend midnight mass at nearby churches to say a prayer of thanks, while others choose to stay up all night to dance and relax with family and friends.
On December 28th, some celebrate Día de los Inocentes, which is similar to April Fool’s Day.
After the Christmas celebrations, the New Year is highly anticipated. Traditionally, the majority of Colombian women celebrate Christmas and the New Year with their families. Families gather to continue the merriment by singing songs, eating, and drinking. They also partake in traditional New Year’s activities believed to usher in good luck for the upcoming year.
The general idea behind these rituals is to be surrounded by things you want to have during the rest of the year.
| Ritual for Good Luck | Purpose / Belief | Practical Suggestion |
|---|---|---|
| Eating 12 grapes at midnight | Believed to bring good luck. A grape must be eaten for each chime of midnight, making it a challenging 12 grapes in 12 seconds. | It is suggested to pick seedless grapes and chew them properly. |
| Wearing yellow underwear | Many locals believe a brand-new pair of yellow underwear brings a year full of love and happiness. | The item must be brand new, or it’s believed that the wish won’t work. |
| Bringing your suitcase around the block | For those who love to travel, doing this ensures their travel wishes will come true. | The suitcase can be full or empty. This is highly appealing to those seeking travel adventures. |
| Holding money during New Year’s | Ensures better financial security and more money opportunities. | People hold money in their hands or pockets when the clock strikes twelve. |
| Decluttering your home on December 31st | This practice is done to leave behind negative energy and bad memories. | It ensures they will have space to welcome love and positive energy into their homes. |
| Burning the “old year” doll | Represents leaving behind the old year and welcoming a new one. | The doll is life-sized and stuffed with fireworks; people gather to set it on fire at midnight. |
If you are interested in traveling, experiencing the cheerful traditions, delicious food, and warm hospitality of Colombian culture first-hand is highly recommended.
Places like Medellin offer the opportunity to immerse yourself in this festive atmosphere.
In the meantime, many men interested in meeting Colombian women may consider chatting with them online to learn more about their culture and share their own.
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