The Christmas season in Medellin traditionally begins on December 7th, the Day of the Little Candles in Colombia. However, in recent years, the lighting has already started sooner to accommodate the increase in tourism. The event usually lasts from the beginning of December until the beginning of January. It has grown yearly because of its attraction to tourists, the widening availability of energy resources and budgets, and increasing participation by local citizens.
The Christmas lights in Medellin are well known in Spanish simply as the “Lighting” (El Alumbrado) or, more officially, the EPM Lights (Alumbrados EPM).
This lighting is a traditional seasonal event in Medellin, Colombia, where the city hangs millions of Christmas lights. They hold light shows and other cultural events.
Since the 1990s, the central locations of the lights have been on and around the Medellin River and La Playa Avenue.
The event has expanded to include over one hundred other places around the city. This celebration usually lasts from the beginning of December until the beginning of January, and the lights are designed and sponsored by Empresas Públicas de Medellin (EPM), the city’s public utilities company.
The event has grown yearly because of its attraction to tourists. The widening availability of energy resources and budgets and increasing participation by local citizens. The ceremony traditionally began on December 7th. The Day of the Little Candles and the unofficial start to the Christmas season in Colombia. However, in recent years, the lighting has begun sooner to accommodate the increase in tourism.
All recreational parks and museums have free entry for children under 12. Admission to the Museum of Antioquia is free for everyone during this season. In December 2012, the Lighting of Medellin was internationally selected as one of the top ten cities to view holiday lights by the National Geographic website.
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