Medellín in December 2026: Christmas Lights, Noche de Velitas and How to Plan Your Tours

Last updated: November 5, 2026

December is Medellín’s busiest and most festive month. The city’s Christmas lights (alumbrados) usually run from late November to mid-January along the Medellín River, and EPM has confirmed a 2026 edition with dates still to be announced. Expect warm days, cool nights, public holidays on December 8 and December 25, and big crowds, so book flights, your airport pickup and day tours early.

Here is the date table, where to see the lights, and which tours fit which days.

Medellín December 2026 at a glance

Lights dates will be updated when EPM announces them. Holiday dates follow Colombia’s official calendar (Ley Emiliani).

Medellín’s Christmas lights (alumbrados) 2026

When do the lights start and end in 2026?

EPM has confirmed the 2026 alumbrados will happen. The exact switch-on date, theme and route are still to be confirmed by EPM. Local reporting (Minuto60) has mentioned a possible window between November 23 and December 6. For reference, the 2025 season ran from November 28, 2025 to January 12, 2026 (46 nights), with lights from about 6 pm to midnight and roughly 8 million LED bulbs.

Where to see them

In recent years the main walk has been about 1.5 km along the Medellín River between Puente de Guayaquil and the EPM building / Parques del Río. The nearest Metro Line A stations are Industriales and Exposiciones. Other lit spots usually include Plaza Botero, Parque de Boston, Parque San Antonio, Parque Lleras, Cerro Nutibara, and parks in Envigado and Sabaneta. Confirm the 2026 route when EPM publishes it.

Tips for fewer crowds

• Go on a weeknight rather than the opening weekend or a Friday.
• Arrive near 6 pm, when the lights turn on and the path is still manageable.
• Wear comfortable shoes; the river walk is long.
• Avoid driving near the river. Use the Metro or walk from Industriales or Exposiciones. The Alcaldía advises planning routes and using public transport in December.

See the lights with a private driver

We do not run a special Christmas lights tour. You can still hire us for transportation only and visit several lit spots in one evening, such as Parques del Río, Envigado and Sabaneta. Book a private car with driver (from 70,000 COP per hour for a sedan, 4-hour minimum) or an 8- or 16-passenger van (90,000 or 160,000 COP per hour). December prices stay the same as the rest of the year.

Noche de Velitas, the Mitos y Leyendas parade and the novenas

Noche de Velitas falls on the night of December 7 (a Monday in 2026). Families light candles and paper lanterns on doorsteps and sidewalks. Visitors can walk a quiet residential street after dark. The next day, December 8, is a public holiday (Inmaculada Concepción).

The Desfile de Mitos y Leyendas is traditionally held on December 8 downtown. In 2025 it ran at 7 pm from Teatro Pablo Tobón Uribe along Avenida La Playa. The 2026 schedule is listed as December 8 by event calendars but has not been officially confirmed. Treat it as “traditionally December 8” and check closer to the date.

Novenas run from December 16 to 24: nightly gatherings with prayers, carols and Christmas food. Malls and parks often host public ones. Expect natilla (a cinnamon custard) and buñuelos (fried cheese dough balls). See our guide to popular Paisa dishes for more Christmas and everyday food.

Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve in Medellín

December 24 (Nochebuena) and December 31 are family nights. Much of the city closes early, so reserve restaurant tables if you want to eat out. December 25 and January 1 are public holidays and feel quieter.

On New Year’s Eve many families keep Colombian agüeros: eating 12 grapes at midnight, walking a suitcase around the block for travel luck, and wearing yellow for good fortune in the new year. Fireworks are common around midnight.

Our holiday schedule: we take December 24, 25 and 31 and January 1 off. No tours or transfers those days. Book your airport pickup and day tours for the days around them. English, Spanish and French guides are available over the holidays (the coffee tour is English and Spanish only). Prices do not change in December.

December weather in Medellín: what to pack

According to IDEAM (Colombia’s official weather agency, Medellín station), December averages are about 27.1°C high, 16.7°C low and 21.4°C mean, with about 87.8 mm of rain over roughly 15 days. That is drier than October (221 mm) and November (151 mm). Pack a light jacket for cool nights and a compact rain layer. Our tours run rain or shine.

Arriving for the holidays: airport and getting around

José María Córdova airport (MDE) is in Rionegro, about 45 to 60 minutes from El Poblado in normal traffic via the Túnel de Oriente. Holiday arrivals are busy, so book your pickup ahead.

The official taxi fare set by the Alcaldía is 132,000 COP. Our private transfer is 195,000 COP for a sedan (1 to 4 people) or 340,000 COP for an 8-passenger van, tolls included. A baby seat is 80,000 COP.

For getting around the city during the lights season, the Metro reaches the river walk. Families and groups often prefer a van so they are not juggling taxis. See ride-share vs private driver and choosing the right vehicle size, and our van rental page. Last year the Metro closed at 10 pm on December 24 and 31 and ran until midnight on December Fridays and Saturdays; check 2026 hours closer to your trip.

Best tours to book in December (and when to do them)

Book at least a day ahead. Holiday dates fill first. Same-day booking is only available for Comuna 13 when you have 3 or more people. December prices stay the same.

Comuna 13 tour

Go early in the morning; the neighborhood gets crowded after late morning. Our private Comuna 13 tour is 92,000 COP per person, about 3 hours, with guides in English, Spanish or French. Your booking supports Sembradores de Amor, a nonprofit in Comuna 13 that feeds 80 children and 35 elderly people every day.

One-day city tour

A good first full day, then see the lights that evening. Our one-day city tour is priced per group: 1,200,000 COP (1 to 3 people, sedan), 1,800,000 COP (4 to 8, van) or 2,400,000 COP (9 to 12). You can add an airport pickup for +195,000 COP (sedan, 1 to 4) or +340,000 COP (van, 4 to 8). Guides speak English, Spanish or French. Your booking supports Sembradores de Amor, a nonprofit in Comuna 13 that feeds 80 children and 35 elderly people every day.

Guatapé day trip

Best on weekdays, when the town and El Peñol are quieter. Our private Guatapé tour starts at 1,800,000 COP per group (1 to 8 people, one van) or 2,700,000 COP (9 to 16, two vans). The El Peñol climb ticket is extra. Guides speak English, Spanish or French. Your booking supports Sembradores de Amor, a nonprofit in Comuna 13 that feeds 80 children and 35 elderly people every day. More ideas: things to do in Guatapé.

Coffee farm tour

A calm half day between the holidays. Shared is 200,000 COP per person; private is 300,000 COP. Guides speak English and Spanish (no French on this tour). See the coffee tour page.

Rafting

For active groups of 4 to 16 people at 400,000 COP per person. Optional private transport is 850,000 COP (1 to 8) or 1,200,000 COP (9+). Details on the rafting page.

Hacienda Nápoles transport

A full-day family trip for the holiday weeks: 1,430,000 COP sedan (1 to 4) or 1,550,000 COP van (5 to 8). Park tickets are separate. See Hacienda Nápoles transport.

Sample December plans (3, 4 or 5 days)

• 3 days: city tour plus lights at night; Comuna 13 in the morning plus Velitas or a novena; Guatapé on a weekday.
• 4 days: add a coffee tour or rafting between the holidays.
• 5 days: add Hacienda Nápoles on a Wednesday to Sunday.

Skip our off days (Dec 24, 25, 31 and Jan 1) when you build the calendar. For more structure, see our 3, 4 and 5-day Medellín itinerary and best day trips from Medellín. Medellín’s other big festival is the Feria de las Flores in August.

Planning checklist

1. Book flights.
2. Book lodging.
3. Book the airport pickup (not on Dec 24, 25, 31 or Jan 1).
4. Book tours for specific dates around those off days.
5. Reserve dinners for December 24 and 31 if you want to eat out.
6. Carry some cash for small purchases and park tickets.
7. Check Metro holiday hours closer to your trip.

FAQ

When do the Medellín Christmas lights start in 2026?

To be confirmed by EPM. They usually switch on in late November (November 28 in 2025). Minuto60 has reported a possible November 23 to December 6 window. We will update this page when EPM announces the official dates.

Where are the Christmas lights in Medellín?

Mainly along the river at Parques del Río (Metro Industriales or Exposiciones), plus parks across the city such as Plaza Botero, Parque Lleras and Cerro Nutibara. Confirm the 2026 route when EPM publishes it.

Are the Medellín Christmas lights free?

Yes. Entry to the public light displays is free.

What time do the lights turn on?

In 2025 they ran from about 6 pm to midnight. Expect a similar schedule unless EPM announces otherwise.

Is December a good time to visit Medellín?

Yes if you want festivities, lights and holiday food. Expect crowds and higher demand for flights and hotels. Book early, and plan around December 24, 25, 31 and January 1.

What is the weather like in Medellín in December?

Warm days and cool nights. IDEAM averages are about 27°C high and 17°C low, with some showers (about 88 mm over roughly 15 days), drier than October and November.

What is Noche de Velitas?

The night of December 7, when families light candles and lanterns on doorsteps. December 8 is a public holiday.

What are the public holidays in December 2026 and January 2027?

December 8, December 25, January 1, 2027, and January 11, 2027 (Reyes Magos moved from January 6 under Ley Emiliani).

Are tours running on Christmas and New Year’s?

We take December 24, 25 and 31 and January 1 off. No tours or transfers those days. Book the days around them.

Is there a Christmas lights tour?

We do not offer a special lights tour. You can hire a private car or van by the hour to visit several lit areas in one evening.

Book your December dates

Ready to lock in an airport pickup or a day tour? Use the booking forms on each tour page, or message us on WhatsApp +57 314 369 2930. We will help you build a plan around the holiday off days.