Maddie James
Colombia's Day of the Little Candles, or La Noche de las Velitas, is a spectacular tradition that sees the streets, sidewalks, windowsills, balconies, churches, and squares of Colombia illuminated with thousands of candles. The celebration takes place annually on the night of December 7, with festivities continuing into the public holiday on December 8, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary. The day is celebrated differently across Colombia, with some regions lighting candles in the early hours of December 8, but the event is a beautiful and special tradition that brings families and communities together to honour the Virgin Mary and kick off the Christmas season.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date | 7 December |
| Occasion | The Night of Candles, or "La Noche de las Velitas" in Spanish |
| Timing | After sunset |
| Location | Streets, gardens, balconies, windowsills, sidewalks, churches, squares, porches |
| Participants | Families, including children |
| Food | Buñuelos |
| Colours of candles | White, green, red |
| Meanings of colours | White for peace, green for prosperity, red for love |
| Number of candles | Thousands, including 100 lit by one person |
| Other items | Lanterns, including paper lanterns |
| Related beliefs | The Christmas Panther, believed in by the Quimbaya native people |
| Related events | Fireworks, parades, carol events, live nativity scenes |
| Related locations | Bogota, Montería, Sopó, Barichara, Cartagena, Santa Marta, Valle del Cauca, Paisa region, Medellín, Quimbaya, Bolívar Plaza, Simon Bolivar Park |
| Related dates | 8 December, the dogma of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary |
| Related religions | Catholicism, Judaism |
| Related figures | Archangel Gabriel, Pope Pius IX |
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What You'll Learn
The Day of the Little Candles
On this day, Colombians honour the Virgin Mary and the Immaculate Conception, which is celebrated by Catholics worldwide on December 8th. The Day of the Little Candles holds religious significance as it commemorates the occasion of the Archangel Gabriel announcing to Mary that she was chosen to be the mother of Jesus. It also marks the anticipation of the official adoption of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception by the Catholic Church.
Throughout Colombia, the celebration of the Day of the Little Candles varies, with different regions and cities putting their unique twist on this cherished tradition. In the western city of Quimbaya, the Candles and Lanterns Festival takes place, where neighbourhoods compete to create the most spectacular lighting displays. In the Caribbean Region, including cities like Barranquilla, Santa Marta, and Cartagena, candles are lit in the early hours of December 8th, rather than the previous night as in most of Colombia.
The capital city of Bogota also has its own unique traditions. Here, families gather to display candles and paper lanterns on balconies and porches, while the streets, squares, and parks, already adorned with Christmas decorations, come alive with evening activities for all ages. The atmosphere is filled with joy and fraternity, as people of all ages light candles and lanterns, make wishes, and spend quality time with loved ones.
The candles themselves hold symbolic meaning, with white candles representing peace, green ones signifying prosperity, and red candles symbolising love. The lighting of these candles is not just a beautiful sight but also a way for people to make wishes and send prayers for healing and blessings. The Day of the Little Candles is a wonderful blend of religious devotion, cultural expression, and community spirit, making it one of Colombia's most beloved and anticipated traditions.
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The Night of Candles
The atmosphere during the Night of Candles is serene and joyous, with families gathering to admire the candles, enjoy each other's company, and share food and drinks. It is a time for fraternity, gratitude, and the celebration of Colombian folklore and culture. In some cities, music and parades add to the festive spirit.
The candles themselves are often placed on sidewalks, balconies, windowsills, porches, and even in parks and squares. They are typically colourful, with specific colours holding different meanings: white for peace, green for prosperity, and red for love. In recent years, paper lanterns have also been introduced, adding to the dazzling display.
The western city of Quimbaya hosts a particularly notable celebration, the Candles and Lanterns Festival, where neighbourhoods compete to create the most spectacular lighting displays. The Caribbean region, including cities like Barranquilla, Santa Marta, and Cartagena, also has unique traditions, with candles lit in the early hours of December 8th.
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Candles and their colours
In Colombia, the holiday season begins with the lighting of candles. This tradition, known as "La Noche de las Velitas" or the Night of the Little Candles, sees thousands of candles lit across the country, with families gathering to celebrate and enjoy the occasion. The candles are placed on sidewalks, in gardens, on balconies, and on windowsills. This tradition is believed to have originated in the 1800s as a way to honour and symbolically light a path for the Virgin Mary ahead of the Immaculate Conception.
The choice of candle colours holds a significant meaning in various traditions and rituals. Each colour is believed to possess a unique energy or vibration, influencing protection, love, prosperity, healing, and other aspects of life. Here is a guide to some of the common candle colours and their interpretations:
White Candles
White candles symbolise purity, peace, spiritual connection, and the highest level of consciousness. They are often used for spiritual purification, protection, and healing rituals. White candles are also associated with the seventh chakra, known as the crown chakra, which is related to spirituality and connection to a higher power.
Black Candles
Black candles are traditionally used for protection and banishing negativity. They are powerful tools for creating a protective barrier, warding off negative influences, and breaking free from bad habits. In spiritual practices, black candles are often associated with the root chakra.
Red Candles
Red candles represent passion, energy, strength, and love. They are commonly used in love spells and to boost vitality and energy in rituals. The colour red symbolises the strong, intense emotions associated with love and desire.
Green Candles
Green candles are associated with prosperity, wealth, and abundance. They are often burned together with ivory or cream-coloured candles to attract luxury and fortune. The combination of green and ivory candles is also used in full moon rituals invoking the Greek Goddess Selene.
Blue Candles
Blue candles promote peace, calm, and spiritual awareness. They are excellent for meditation practices, fostering relaxation and enhancing spiritual connection. Light blue or dark blue candles can be used interchangeably to create a peaceful atmosphere and aid in forgiveness and healing rituals.
Yellow Candles
Yellow candles symbolise joy, intellect, and clarity. They are also associated with positive vibes, confidence, focus, intuition, and success. Yellow candles are ideal for manifesting intentions, especially when burned beneath the new moon to maximise their power.
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The Immaculate Conception
Colombia's Day of the Little Candles, or La Noche de las Velitas, is a beautiful tradition that marks the beginning of the Christmas festivities in the country. On the eve of December 7, millions of households across Colombia light little candles and lanterns, illuminating streets, homes, churches, and squares. This spectacular display of light and fire is a joyous occasion for families and communities to come together and celebrate.
The tradition of Las Velitas is deeply rooted in the country's religious and cultural heritage. It is closely associated with the Catholic feast day of the Immaculate Conception, commemorating the belief that the Virgin Mary was conceived without sin. On December 8, 1854, Pope Pius IX proclaimed the dogma of the Immaculate Conception, and the following day, Catholics around the world lit candles in anticipation of this declaration. Thus, the first Little Candles Day was a worldwide event, with Colombia being an integral part of it.
The lighting of candles holds significant meaning for Colombians. People light candles of different colours, each representing a specific intention: white for peace, green for prosperity, and red for love. The candles are placed on sidewalks, balconies, windowsills, and in public spaces, creating a mesmerizing and spiritual atmosphere. The day also serves as a vigil for the feast of the Immaculate Conception, celebrated on December 8 as a national holiday in Colombia.
While the tradition of Las Velitas is observed throughout Colombia, it takes on unique forms in different regions. In the western city of Quimbaya, the Candles and Lanterns Festival features a competition between neighbourhoods to create the most spectacular lighting displays. The Caribbean region, including cities like Barranquilla, Santa Marta, and Cartagena, lights the candles in the early hours of December 8, while most other parts of the country light them on the night of December 7. In Bogotá, the capital city, candles and lanterns adorn balconies and porches, with the streets and parks offering evening activities for families.
The Day of the Little Candles holds a special place in the hearts of Colombians, both within the country and abroad. It is a day of fraternity, gratitude, and celebration of Colombian folklore and culture. It brings together religious commemoration and the joy of family gatherings, creating an atmosphere of peace and unity. The lighting of candles and lanterns has become a beloved tradition, marking the unofficial start of the Christmas season in Colombia.
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The start of Christmas festivities
Colombia's Christmas festivities kick off with the Day of the Little Candles, or La Noche de Las Velitas, which takes place on 7 December. This celebration marks the beginning of the Christmas month in Colombia and is one of the country's most cherished traditions.
On this day, millions of households light little candles and paper lanterns, illuminating porches, balconies, churches, and squares. The whole country is transformed into a dazzling display of light, fire, and religious fervour. The timing of when the candles are lit varies across Colombia, with some lighting them at sunset on 7 December, while others wait until midnight on 8 December.
The tradition of Las Velitas is deeply rooted in the country's religious and cultural heritage. It is believed to have originated in the 1800s as a way to honour and symbolically light a path for the Virgin Mary ahead of the Immaculate Conception. Although it began as a Catholic tradition, it has since evolved into a cultural and social event, attracting people from all backgrounds.
The atmosphere on the Night of the Candles is truly special, as families come together to enjoy this magical evening. It is a time for gratitude, fraternity, and the celebration of Colombian folklore and culture. People light candles of different colours, each representing a specific wish or intention: white for peace, green for prosperity, and red for love.
In some cities, the celebration extends beyond candles, with music and other festivities. For example, in Cartagena, the celebrations continue on 8 December with parades and fireworks. In Santa Marta, the festivities begin early in the morning, even before sunrise. The Quimbaya native people of Colombia also believe in the Christmas Panther, and during Las Velitas, it is common to see sculptures of this panther surrounded by lit candles.
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Frequently asked questions
Millions of candles are lit on the curbs and various other places in Colombia during the Day of the Little Candles or Little Candles Day.
The Day of the Little Candles is celebrated on the night of 7 December.
The Day of the Little Candles, or Noche de las Velitas, is a Colombian tradition that celebrates the Catholic holiday of the Immaculate Conception.
The white candles are for peace, the green ones for prosperity, and the red ones for love.
Yes, 8 December, the day after Little Candles Day, is a national public holiday in Colombia.
