Next: 7 Dec 2026
Día de las Velitas
On the night of 7 December Colombians light candles and paper lanterns in doorways and streets for the Immaculate Conception.
When is Día de las Velitas in 2026?
Día de las Velitas 2026 is on Monday, 7 December 2026. Other years: 2027, Tuesday, 7 December 2027; 2028, Thursday, 7 December 2028.
About Día de las Velitas
Día de las Velitas, the Day of the Little Candles, marks the start of the Christmas season in Colombia. On the evening of 7 December, the eve of the feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, families, neighbours and communities light candles and farolitos, small paper lanterns, in windows, doorsteps, balconies, and along streets, pavements and parks, so that whole towns glow. The custom began as an act of devotion to the Virgin, after the pope declared the dogma of the Immaculate Conception in 1854. Families gather and light the candles together, say a prayer and make wishes, and sing carols. In Quimbaya, in the coffee region, a lantern festival draws thousands of visitors. Foods include buñuelos, natilla, a milk pudding and hot chocolate.
Día de las Velitas dates: 2026, 2027, 2028
| Year | Día de las Velitas date |
|---|---|
| 2026 | Monday, 7 December 2026 |
| 2027 | Tuesday, 7 December 2027 |
| 2028 | Thursday, 7 December 2028 |
What is eaten
- natilla
- buñuelos
- hot chocolate
- tamales
Also part of it, and being written: Immaculate Conception (The feast of the day.), Natilla (The Colombian milk pudding.), Buñuelo (The fried cheese fritter.).
Written by the EveryParampara desk with AI assistance. Background: "Day of the Little Candles" on Wikipedia. Customs differ from place to place and family to family. If this is your tradition and we have it wrong, tell us.