The short answer
December is the month when Medellín is most itself: the whole city fills with lights, families bring natilla and buñuelos out to the doorstep, and it rains far less than in November. It is also high season: more people, tours fill up and it pays to book ahead. This guide tells you what to see, which dates matter and what changes its hours.
The Christmas lights: what they are, where and when
The EPM Christmas lights, the Alumbrados, are the December thing to do in Medellín, and they are free. As of October 4, 2026, EPM has not yet announced this year's dates or theme, so here is how the previous edition went, which is the best guide: they were lit from November 28, 2025 to January 12, 2026, every day from 6:00 p.m. to midnight, with eight million LED bulbs and 25,000 figures spread over 61 points in the city.
The main route was a kilometer and a half along the river, between the Guayaquil Bridge and Parques del Río; you get there by Metro at Industriales station. There were also lights in Parque de Bolívar, on Avenida La Playa and in 43 neighborhood parks. Go on a weekday if you can: Fridays and Saturdays are the most crowded. We will update this section as soon as EPM confirms the 2026 edition.
The dates that matter
In Colombia, Christmas is not a day, it is a month. These are the dates the city moves around.
- November 30, La Alborada: at midnight the city welcomes December with fireworks. It is a tradition, but fireworks are banned for private use and every year people get burned: watch from a distance and do not buy any.
- December 7, the Night of the Little Candles: families light candles and lanterns on sidewalks and balconies. It is the prettiest night to walk through a neighborhood.
- December 8, a public holiday: in 2025 the Myths and Legends Parade was held that day, from 7:00 to 10:00 p.m., starting at the Pablo Tobón Uribe Theater along Avenida La Playa.
- December 16 to 24, the novenas: nine nights of carols, natilla and buñuelos in homes, parks and shopping malls. If you are invited to one, go.
- December 24, Christmas Eve: dinner is with family and the city shuts down early. The 25th is a public holiday.
- December 31 and January 1: New Year's Eve is with family again; the 1st is a public holiday and almost everything opens late or not at all.
What people eat in December
Three things you will see everywhere. Natilla, a firm custard of milk, panela and cornstarch, with cinnamon. Buñuelos, fried balls of cheese dough, crisp outside and spongy inside. And hojuelas, strips of fried dough with sugar. They are eaten together, at any hour, and at the novenas they are handed out on paper plates. Do not leave Medellín in December without trying a buñuelo straight out of the oil.
The weather: less rain than in November
December is the transition month into the dry season: according to the Aburrá Valley's early warning system, it rains roughly half as much as in November, and January is the driest month of the year. The temperature is the usual, between 18 and 28 degrees Celsius. Bring a light jacket for the night at the lights and a small umbrella just in case.
Our tours in December
All three run daily in December. The Comuna 13 Graffiti Tour leaves every day of the year, holidays included; the 4:30 p.m. departure ends at sunset, just in time to head down to the lights. Guatapé is the plan for a clear day, and December has more of those. And the Pablo Escobar history tour runs rain or shine.
Two high-season notes. Book at least a day ahead, and earlier if you are coming between December 20 and January 6. And if you want to take a tour on December 24, 25 or 31, or on January 1, message us on WhatsApp first so we can confirm that day's schedule.
What changes its hours
What follows is what happened in December 2025; it usually repeats, but confirm before you head out.
- Metro: on December 24 and 31 it closed at 10:00 p.m. On Fridays and Saturdays in December it extended service until midnight for the lights.
- Cable car to Parque Arví: closed on Tuesdays for maintenance, in December too.
- Museums: many close on December 25 and January 1. Check each one's website.
- Restaurants: on the evenings of the 24th and 31st many close or take reservations only. Sort out dinner for those two days in advance.
Lights near Medellín
If you have already seen Medellín's, the towns at the south end of the valley have their own and you can get there by Metro. In 2025 Envigado lit up 21 spaces, with a water and light show at Parque El Dorado, and Sabaneta, a little further south on the same Metro line, had its own too. They are smaller, more local and less crowded.
Tips for high season
December brings crowds, and where there are crowds there are pickpockets. At the lights keep your phone in a front pocket and carry only the cash you will use; the rest is in our guide is Medellín safe to visit?. To get back at night, order a ride by app instead of hailing a taxi on the street. And book your accommodation early: it is one of the months when the most visitors arrive in the city.
Sources
Facts checked on October 4, 2026. The dates and figures for the lights, the parade and the schedules are from the 2025 edition.
Frequently asked questions
When are the Medellín Christmas lights switched on?
As of October 4, 2026, EPM has not announced this year's date. In 2025 they were switched on November 28 and stayed until January 12, every day from 6:00 p.m. to midnight.
Are the lights free?
Yes. They are in public spaces and there is no entrance fee.
Does it rain a lot in Medellín in December?
Less than in November, roughly half. December is the transition to the dry season and January is the driest month of the year.
Which days are public holidays in December 2026?
Tuesday, December 8 and Friday, December 25. Friday, January 1, 2027 is also a public holiday.
Do the tours run in December?
Yes, daily. For December 24, 25 and 31 and January 1, message us on WhatsApp to confirm the schedule. In high season book at least a day ahead.
