Things to Do in Bogota in December

Q: Is Bogota safe for solo travelers in December?

Bogota scores 4.2 out of 10 for solo-traveler safety (see /research/solo-safety/). Standard precautions apply year-round, and December's larger crowds in tourist areas do not significantly change the safety picture. Avoid displaying expensive electronics on the street, stay in well-lit areas after dark, and use ride-hailing apps rather than hailing taxis from the curb.

VerdictGood
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December in Bogota means holiday season at altitude. The city sits 2,640 meters (8,660 feet) above sea level, and the month opens with Día de las Velitas, when millions of candles and paper lanterns appear on sidewalks, windowsills, and rooftops across the city. That single evening launches a month of celebration that draws families from Medellín, Cali, and Colombia's Caribbean coast into the capital.

The weather cooperates. December falls in Bogota's shorter dry season, with considerably less rain than the preceding months of October and November. Mornings feel properly cold at this elevation, and afternoons stay mild under a mix of cloud and sun. This is not the tropical beach heat that many first-time visitors to Colombia expect, and you will want warm layers rather than shorts.

The trade-off is worth understanding. December likely offers the richest cultural calendar of any month, with Novena de Aguinaldos gatherings running nightly through the lead-up to Christmas, elaborate light installations along Carrera Séptima, and seasonal food appearing in every bakery and street cart in Chapinero and La Candelaria. But you will pay peak-season rates, compete for restaurant reservations in Zona Rosa, and share the historic center with noticeably more people than you would find in a quieter month like September.

Why visit in December

One of Bogota's 5 driest months, falling within the shorter dry season that runs through February and offering a welcome contrast to the heavy rain of October and November
Día de las Velitas and the Alumbrado Navideño transform neighborhoods from Usaquén to Teusaquillo into corridors of candlelight and holiday installations that exist in no other month
Nightly Novena de Aguinaldos gatherings through the pre-Christmas period let you join Colombian families for music, prayer, and festival food in neighborhood parks and living rooms
Cool highland temperatures make all-day walking comfortable without the coastal heat of Santa Marta or Barranquilla in the same period

Worth knowing

Peak domestic tourism pushes accommodation to its highest rates of the year, and popular restaurants in the Zona T district fill by early evening on weekends
Many government offices and some museums reduce hours or close between December 24 and January 2, limiting access during the final week
Afternoon showers still arrive on roughly half the month's days, typically brief but enough to interrupt outdoor plans
Pólvora (firecrackers) and fireworks are legal and popular, and the celebrations begin in mid-December rather than being confined to New Year's Eve

Best for

Think twice if

Weather measured 21° / 8°C 64mm rain · 14 rainy days · 80% humidity rains perceptibly ~1h/day · 99% of mornings dry

Crowds high

Pack Bogota's altitude demands layers. Bring something warm for mornings and evenings, a t-shirt for midday, and a compact rain jacket for the afternoon showers that arrive without much warning.

December averages a high of 20.5°C (69°F) and a low of 8.4°C (47°F), with 64mm of rain spread across roughly 14 days. Compared to November's 149mm, the improvement is obvious. Humidity sits at 80%, which at Bogota's altitude feels cool rather than sticky. Most rain arrives as brief afternoon showers between 2 and 4 PM that clear within 30 to 45 minutes. Mornings tend toward partly cloudy skies. That said, the sun carries real intensity at this elevation even when the air temperature stays moderate.

Year-round climate

Averages from the last 5 years.

Monthly climate averages for Bogota
Month	Avg high (°C)	Avg low (°C)	Rainfall (mm)
Jan	21	7	57
Feb	21	9	110
Mar	20	9	185
Apr	20	9	159
May	19	9	131
Jun	19	9	106
Jul	19	8	62
Aug	20	8	46
Sep	20	8	52
Oct	20	8	110
Nov	20	9	149
Dec	21	8	64

Holidays and festivals in December

Public holidays

Immaculate Conception(La Inmaculada Concepción)8 December 2026
Christmas Day(Navidad)25 December 2026

When is Christmas season in 2026?

27 November to 26 December 2026

Christmas season is a major cultural celebration in Bogota. In 2026 it runs from 27 November to 26 December 2026.

Headline events

Nationwide Free

Día de las Velitas

Evening of December 7 into December 8

On the eve of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, Colombian families place candles, paper lanterns, and elaborate light arrangements on sidewalks, windowsills, and rooftops. In Bogota, entire blocks become corridors of candlelight, and public parks host community gatherings with live music and food stalls. The tradition marks the unofficial start of the Colombian Christmas season and draws spectators from across the country.

#DiaDeLasVelitas

Best things to do in December

Walk the Alumbrado Navideño route

cultural

Bogota installs large-scale holiday light displays along Carrera Séptima, in Parque de la 93, and in several neighborhood parks through December. The route draws evening crowds, particularly on weekends, and the displays typically stay lit from dusk until midnight.

The light installations run from late November through early January, but December is when programming peaks and most Bogotanos come out to walk the routes

Booking tipNo booking needed, but go on a weeknight to avoid the weekend crowds that fill Parque de la 93 by 7 PM

Attend a Novena de Aguinaldos gathering

cultural

For nine consecutive evenings before Christmas, families and communities gather to sing villancicos (carols), pray, and eat seasonal food. Many gatherings happen in private homes, but churches and public parks host open-to-all versions across the city.

The Novena runs only during a nine-day window before Christmas and is one of Colombia's most deeply rooted traditions

Booking tipAsk your hotel or hostel staff about public gatherings nearby. Churches in La Candelaria and Chapinero tend to hold the most welcoming open events.

Hike Monserrate in the dry season

outdoor

The trail from the eastern base station gains roughly 500 meters of elevation over about 4 km. The hike takes 60 to 90 minutes at a moderate pace. A funicular and cable car also run daily for those who prefer to ride.

December's lower rainfall and clearer mornings mean better visibility from the summit than during the wet months of March through May

Booking tipStart by 7 AM to catch the clearest views before afternoon clouds build. The trail opens at 5 AM on weekdays.

Browse the Usaquén Sunday flea market in holiday mode

shopping

The weekly Mercado de las Pulgas de Usaquén along Carrera 6a fills with artisan vendors, food stalls, and street performers every Sunday. In December, additional holiday gift vendors expand the market's footprint into side streets.

December editions bring a section of holiday artisan vendors selling handmade ornaments, candles, and gifts that is not present the rest of the year

Booking tipArrive before 11 AM for the best selection. By 1 PM the most popular stalls have sold through their limited runs.

Catch a holiday concert at Teatro Colón

cultural

Bogota's Teatro Colón, which opened in 1892, hosts a series of classical and choral performances through December in its restored 800-seat auditorium. The acoustics and the gilt interior make any performance feel like an occasion.

The theater's December programming features holiday-themed orchestral and choral concerts that do not appear in the regular season calendar

Booking tipTickets for weekend performances sell out 2 to 3 weeks ahead. Weeknight shows are easier to get.

Join the Ciclovía on a cool, dry Sunday

outdoor

Every Sunday and public holiday, Bogota closes over 120 km of roads to cars, opening them to cyclists, runners, and walkers. The route passes through Parque Nacional and connects neighborhoods from Usaquén in the north to the historic center.

December's dry-season weather and mild temperatures make the ride comfortable, unlike the rain-interrupted Sunday mornings of October and November

Booking tipBike rental stands appear along the route. Arrive by 8 AM for the quietest stretches before family groups fill the lanes.

Explore the pesebre tradition around Plaza de Bolívar

cultural

Bogota's main square hosts a large-scale nativity display (pesebre) each December, often incorporating regional Colombian elements and life-sized figures. Smaller pesebres appear in church doorways and shop windows across the old town.

The pesebre installations go up in early December and come down after Epiphany on January 6, so December is the core viewing window

Taste seasonal holiday food at Paloquemao market

food

Bogota's largest covered market fills with stacks of buñuelos, tamales, natilla trays, and holiday fruit baskets through December. Vendors offer samples freely, and the second-floor food court serves some of the city's best home-style cooking.

The holiday food vendors occupy a seasonal section of the market that only operates from late November through early January

Booking tipGo before 10 AM on a weekday morning. Weekend crowds make the narrow aisles difficult to move through after 11 AM.

What to eat in December

On menus now

Tamales bogotanos
Banana-leaf-wrapped parcels of rice, chicken, pork, carrots, and peas steamed until the masa holds together. Bogota's version tends to be larger and denser than the tolimense style. Families prepare dozens in the days before December 24 and 31, and surplus tamales circulate through offices and neighborhoods.

What to drink

Aguardiente
Colombia's anise-flavored spirit flows in considerably larger volumes during December celebrations. Néctar and Antioqueño brands dominate Bogota's tiendas, and small plastic cups appear at every neighborhood gathering and family reunion through the month.

Festival food

Buñuelos
Golden cheese fritters made from queso costeño and cornstarch, fried until the outside crisps and the inside stays soft. They appear in every bakery and street cart across Bogota from early December onward.
Natilla
A firm, sliceable custard made with panela, cornstarch, and cinnamon, served chilled in thick squares. Bakeries and home cooks across Bogota prepare batches through the holiday season. Traditionally paired with cheese fritters at evening gatherings.
Hojuelas
Paper-thin fried pastry sheets dusted with powdered sugar. Fragile enough that they shatter on the first bite. Street vendors in the historic center sell stacks from glass display cases through the holiday weeks.
Desamargado
Candied citrus peel, usually lime, soaked repeatedly to remove bitterness and then simmered in sugar syrup until translucent. A Christmas specialty in Bogota and the Boyacá department, with a texture somewhere between gummy and crystallized.

Regular events in December

Novena de AguinaldosFree

Nine nights of communal prayer, carol singing, and holiday food in homes, churches, and public parks across Bogota. The tradition is deeply Colombian and open to all visitors.

December 16 through December 24

Alumbrado Navideño de BogotáFree

Large-scale holiday light installations across parks, plazas, and main avenues, with the largest displays concentrated in the northern neighborhoods and along the city's central commercial corridors.

Early December through January 6

New Year's Eve celebrationsFree

The historic center fills with thousands for a midnight countdown, fireworks display, and live music. Surrounding streets close to traffic from late afternoon on December 31.

December 31

Holiday concert series at Teatro Colón

Classical and choral performances in Bogota's restored 19th-century theater through December, featuring both Colombian and international ensembles.

Weekends throughout December

Liga BetPlay Finalización playoff matches at Estadio El Campín

The second-half Colombian football season typically reaches its playoff rounds in December. Millonarios FC and Independiente Santa Fe both use El Campín as their home ground, and match-night atmosphere is intense.

Varies by season, typically early to mid-December

Best places this December

Parque de la 93
park
The park becomes a centerpiece of the Alumbrado in December, with a large illuminated tree and light tunnels drawing evening crowds. Restaurants and bars around the perimeter fill with holiday diners on weekends.
Chicó
Gold Museum (Museo del Oro)
museum
Founded in 1968, the museum holds over 34,000 pre-Columbian gold objects. December's holiday schedule keeps it open most days, and weekday morning crowds thin enough that you can study the Muisca raft without competing for viewing space.
La Candelaria
Primary Cathedral of Bogotá
landmark
Completed in 1807, the cathedral on the city's main square holds special Advent and Christmas masses through December. The neoclassical interior and the scale of the nave feel particularly solemn during evening services in the holiday season.
La Candelaria
Bogotá Botanical Garden (Jardín Botánico José Celestino Mutis)
garden
Established in 1955, the garden's orchid collection and tropical greenhouse stay green through December's drier weather. Morning visits on weekdays are quiet, with resident hummingbirds active around the flowering sections.
Engativá
Monserrate
viewpoint
At 3,152 meters, this is the highest easily accessible viewpoint over Bogota. The church at the summit draws pilgrims year-round, but the terrace restaurants are less crowded on December weekday mornings than during the wet season, when visitors bunch around the few clear days.
Santa Fe
Paloquemao market
market
Bogota's largest food market fills with December holiday specialties, from towering stacks of tamales to seasonal fruit baskets wrapped for gift-giving. The flower section expands for the season, and the food court upstairs serves ajiaco and fresh juices at communal tables.
Los Mártires
La Candelaria
neighborhood
The historic center's colonial streetscape takes on a festive character in December, with candle displays during the opening week and pesebre installations in church doorways. The cobblestone streets are best explored on foot in the morning before afternoon showers.
La Candelaria

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Light fleece or merino sweaterMornings and evenings at this altitude get cold fast. Without a warm mid-layer you will be uncomfortable on any evening walk through the Alumbrado or Novena gathering. Shop
Compact rain jacketDecember still sees showers on about half the days, mostly as brief afternoon bursts. A jacket that folds into a day bag saves you from ducking into shops every time the sky darkens around 2 PM. Shop
Sunscreen SPF 30 or higherUV intensity at Bogota's altitude is roughly 30% stronger than at sea level. Even under partly cloudy skies you will burn on a 2-hour walk if unprotected. Shop
Small collapsible umbrellaA backup for when the rain jacket feels like too much. The showers rarely last more than 40 minutes, but they hit hard enough to soak you without cover. Shop
Waterproof shoes with gripLa Candelaria's cobblestones get slick after rain, and the trail up Monserrate is steep enough that traction matters on damp mornings. Shop
Reusable water bottleAltitude dehydration is real and sneaks up on visitors from sea level. Bogota's tap water is safe to drink, so refilling costs nothing. Shop
EarplugsNeighborhood celebrations can run past 2 AM from the second half of the month onward, and the noise carries blocks from the source. Light sleepers will want these from mid-December on. Shop
Portable phone chargerEvening walks through the light displays, photography, and navigation apps drain batteries fast. A 10,000 mAh bank covers a full day and evening without searching for outlets. Shop

Insider tips

For the candle-lighting celebration in early December, skip the tourist-heavy historic center and walk through residential neighborhoods like Teusaquillo or La Soledad. Families set up elaborate arrangements on their own sidewalks, and the experience feels more personal than the public displays in commercial areas.
The Sunday Ciclovía route passes through Parque Nacional, and in December the surrounding side streets fill with families selling homemade buñuelos and natilla from their front doors. The homemade versions tend to be better than anything from a bakery chain.
Bogota's TransMilenio bus system gets overwhelmed after December 20. From that point through the New Year, a ride-hailing app is typically faster than public transit, particularly during the evening rush between 5 and 7 PM.
If you want to see the Alumbrado lights without the weekend crowds, go on a Tuesday or Wednesday evening. Parque de la 93 on a Saturday night in December can feel more like a queue than a stroll.
The Botero Museum, which opened in 2000, is free to enter. In December it stays quieter than the gold collection next door, making it a good first stop before holiday crowds build in the afternoon.

Avoid these mistakes

Visitors often pack only warm-weather clothes because the destination is Colombia. Bogota's elevation keeps overnight temperatures in single-digit Celsius territory, and arrivals from the coast are regularly caught off guard by the chill.
Many visitors schedule outdoor activities for the afternoon without a rain backup. December showers tend to arrive between 2 and 4 PM, fast and without much warning, even after a morning of blue sky.
Some travelers try to visit the Colombian National Museum (founded 1823) or the nearby Botero collection between December 24 and January 1 without checking hours. Both reduce their schedules or close entirely for part of the holiday window.
Visitors sometimes book a hotel near the Zona Rosa nightlife area for the final week of December and expect quiet evenings. Street celebrations run particularly late on the 24th and 31st, and the sound carries well beyond the party itself.

Practical tips for December

Book accommodation by early November for December stays, as domestic tourists fill Bogota's mid-range hotels first. Restaurants in Usaquén and the Zona Rosa district take reservations for December weekend dinners, and walking in without one after 7 PM is unlikely to work. The TransMilenio runs on a reduced holiday schedule between December 25 and January 1, so check routes before relying on it during that stretch. If you arrive at El Dorado International Airport in late December, expect longer immigration lines from Colombian families returning for the holidays. Many pharmacies and smaller shops in the old town close from December 24 through 26, so stock essentials beforehand. The Ciclovía still runs on Sundays and public holidays throughout the month, typically from 7 AM to 2 PM.

FAQ

Is December a good time to visit Bogota?

December is one of Bogota's better months for weather, with less rain than the wet season and mild daytime temperatures. The holiday traditions, from the candle-lit opening night to the nightly carol gatherings before Christmas Eve, make it arguably the strongest month culturally. The main drawback is cost, as accommodation and domestic flights sit at their yearly peak and popular restaurants fill early on weekends. If you are willing to pay the premium, December offers cultural access you cannot replicate in any other month of Bogota's calendar.

What is the weather like in Bogota in December?

Days tend toward the low 20s Celsius (high 60s Fahrenheit) with overnight lows cold enough for a warm layer. Rain falls on about half the days, but usually as brief afternoon showers rather than all-day downpours. The overall feel is comfortable for walking, a world away from the tropical heat of Cartagena.

Is Bogota crowded in December?

Yes. December brings the highest domestic tourism of the year, as Colombians from warmer regions travel to the capital for the holidays. The historic center and popular dining districts fill noticeably. Weeknight evenings and early mornings remain calmer, but weekend crowds around the Alumbrado Navideño displays can be dense.

Is Bogota safe for solo travelers in December?

Bogota scores 4.2 out of 10 for solo-traveler safety (see the TTDI Solo-Safety Index). Standard precautions apply year-round, and December's larger crowds in tourist areas do not significantly change the safety picture. Avoid displaying expensive electronics on the street, stay in well-lit areas after dark, and use ride-hailing apps rather than hailing taxis from the curb.

Do I need to book hotels far in advance for December in Bogota?

Booking by early November is strongly recommended. Mid-range hotels in Chapinero and the Zona Rosa fill first. Budget hostels in La Candelaria tend to hold availability longer, but the best rooms go early. Last-minute arrivals in the final week of December will find limited choices at the highest rates of the year.