December in Medellin revolves around one thing. The Alumbrados Navideños. The installations go up in early December, and millions of LED lights line the Río Medellín corridor and Parque Norte, turning the entire riverfront into a free, open-air light show that typically draws around 4 million visitors over the course of the month. Daytime highs sit near 26°C (79°F) and drop to about 16°C (61°F) at night, cool enough that you'll want a light layer once the sun disappears behind the western cordillera. Rainfall tends to land around 114mm for the month, making December one of the two driest months alongside January's 93mm. You'll still see showers on roughly 20 days, but they usually pass through in 30 to 45 minutes before clearing.
The trade-off is crowds. Every paisa family and a growing wave of international visitors converge on the city from mid-December through early January. El Poblado fills up. Restaurant waits stretch. Hotel rates climb 40 to 60 percent above the annual average, and domestic flights from Bogotá can double in price after December 15. That said, the atmosphere earns it. Neighborhoods like Laureles and Belén put up their own smaller light displays, families gather for Novenas de Aguinaldos in Parque de los Deseos from December 16, and the warm smell of freshly fried buñuelos drifts from panaderías across La Candelaria. If you time your trip for the first two weeks, you'll catch the full Alumbrados and the Día de las Velitas candle ceremony on December 7 while avoiding the worst of the domestic holiday crush that peaks around December 20.
Why visit in December
- The Alumbrados Navideños lights along the Río Medellín draw roughly 4 million visitors and cost nothing to see, making it one of South America's largest free holiday spectacles
- December's 114mm of rainfall makes it one of Medellin's two driest months, a significant drop from October's 259mm and November's 219mm
- Día de las Velitas on December 7 fills every neighborhood with thousands of candles and paper lanterns, a nationwide tradition with no equivalent outside Colombia
- Seasonal Christmas food like buñuelos, natilla, and hojuelas appears in every bakery and street stall, giving the month a distinct culinary identity you won't find from March through November
Worth knowing
- Hotel rates in El Poblado and Laureles rise 40 to 60 percent above the annual average, with many properties requiring minimum 3- to 5-night stays during the holiday week
- Domestic tourism from Bogotá, Cali, and the Caribbean coast peaks sharply after December 15, making the Metro and popular restaurants noticeably more congested
- Many small businesses, local restaurants, and government offices close between December 24 and January 2, limiting dining and errand options in residential neighborhoods
- The 85 percent humidity persists even in this drier month, and the combination with 26°C heat can feel sticky during midday walks through hilly neighborhoods like Buenos Aires
Best for
Think twice if
December sits in the transition between Medellin's second rainy season and the January dry spell. Temperatures hold steady at around 26°C (79°F) during the day and drop to 16°C (61°F) overnight. Humidity stays at 85 percent, which you'll feel in hilly neighborhoods like Santo Domingo or Buenos Aires during midday climbs. Rain falls on roughly 20 of the 31 days, but individual showers tend to be short, typically 20 to 40 minutes in the mid-afternoon. Total rainfall of 114mm sits well below the annual peaks of April (270mm) and October (259mm). Mornings are usually clear and pleasant, making them the best window for outdoor plans.
Year-round climate
Averages from the last 5 years.
| Month | Avg high (°C) | Avg low (°C) | Rainfall (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 26 | 16 | 93 |
| Feb | 26 | 16 | 144 |
| Mar | 26 | 16 | 211 |
| Apr | 26 | 17 | 270 |
| May | 26 | 17 | 260 |
| Jun | 26 | 16 | 224 |
| Jul | 27 | 16 | 110 |
| Aug | 27 | 16 | 177 |
| Sep | 27 | 16 | 179 |
| Oct | 26 | 16 | 259 |
| Nov | 25 | 16 | 219 |
| Dec | 26 | 16 | 114 |
Headline events
Alumbrados Navideños
Early December through mid-January (opening night usually falls in the first week of December)
Medellin's annual Christmas light installation transforms the Río Medellín corridor and Parque Norte into a free spectacle of millions of LED lights. The display runs nightly from early December through mid-January, drawing an estimated 4 million visitors over the season. Each year follows a different artistic theme, with light sculptures, animated displays, and music synchronized along a walking route of roughly 2 kilometers. The Alumbrados have gained international recognition and regularly appear on global lists of the top holiday light festivals. The opening night, usually in the first week of December, draws the largest single-evening crowd.
Día de las Velitas
December 7 (evening into early morning of December 8)
On the night of December 7, Colombians mark the eve of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception by lighting candles and paper lanterns outside their homes, on sidewalks, and in public parks. In Medellin, neighborhoods like Belén, Envigado, and La Candelaria become carpeted with thousands of small flames. The tradition effectively kicks off the Christmas season across the entire country. Streets fill with families while street food vendors sell buñuelos and empanadas, and the warm glow of candlelight against Medellin's hillsides is one of the more memorable sights in Colombia. Smaller residential streets often have the best displays.
Best things to do in December
Walk the Alumbrados Navideños along the Río Medellín
culturalThe main Alumbrados route stretches roughly 2 kilometers along the Río Medellín, passing through themed light installations that change each year. The walk typically starts near the Industriales Metro station and continues north toward Parque Norte. Millions of LED lights form tunnels, arches, and animated scenes reflected in the river water below. Street food vendors line the entire route with buñuelos, empanadas, and hot chocolate. Weeknight visits cut the crowd density significantly compared to Friday and Saturday evenings.
The Alumbrados only run from early December through mid-January. The first two weeks offer full installations with smaller crowds before the domestic holiday rush arrives around December 15.Booking tipNo booking needed. Free and open nightly. Arrive before 7 PM on weekdays to walk in relative comfort.
Join Día de las Velitas celebrations in Belén or Envigado
culturalOn the evening of December 7, neighborhoods across Medellin light thousands of candles and paper lanterns on sidewalks, in doorways, and across public plazas. Belén and Envigado are two of the most active areas, where entire blocks participate and the streets fill with families, food vendors, and live music. The scale is hard to convey. By 8 PM, the candlelight across the valley floor is visible from Pueblito Paisa above.
Día de las Velitas falls exclusively on December 7 each year and has no equivalent in any other month of the Colombian calendar.Booking tipNo booking required. Consider staying in Belén or Envigado for the night to avoid the packed Metro ride home.
Attend a Novenas de Aguinaldos gathering in Parque de los Deseos
culturalFrom December 16 through 24, Colombian families gather each evening for the Novenas, a tradition of prayer, singing villancicos (Christmas carols), and sharing food. Parque de los Deseos in Aranjuez hosts one of the larger public gatherings, where neighbors bring buñuelos, natilla, and hot chocolate. The singing is communal and enthusiastic, even if slightly off-key. The tradition offers a window into how paisas actually celebrate the season, distinct from the tourist-facing Alumbrados.
The Novenas run only from December 16 through 24, nine consecutive nights of communal celebration leading to Nochebuena (Christmas Eve).Booking tipPublic Novenas are free and open. Ask your accommodation host if the neighborhood has a local gathering, which tends to be smaller and more personal than the organized public ones.
Day trip to Guatapé and La Piedra del Peñol
day tripThe 740-step climb up La Piedra del Peñol rewards you with a panoramic view of the reservoir and surrounding green hills. December's lower rainfall of 114mm compared to October's 259mm means better odds of clear skies at the summit. The town of Guatapé itself, with its brightly painted zócalos (decorative tile panels on building facades), takes about 2 hours to wander at a comfortable pace. The waterfront malecón has several restaurants serving trucha (trout) pulled from the reservoir.
December's drier conditions give better odds of clear summit views than the wet months of April through November, when cloud cover often obscures the panorama entirely.Booking tipBook a private driver or organized tour at least a week ahead during December. Weekend departures fill fast. Leave Medellin by 7 AM to avoid both the afternoon shower risk and the holiday traffic.
Ride the Metrocable to Parque Arví
natureThe Metrocable L line from Acevedo station rises over the hillside comunas to Santo Domingo, where you transfer to a second cable car into the 16,000-hectare Parque Arví ecological reserve. The park has marked trails through cloud forest, a weekend artisan market, and picnic areas among the trees. On clear December mornings, the cable car ride offers wide views across the Aburrá Valley that are often obscured by clouds in wetter months. The temperature at the park sits a few degrees cooler than the city floor, which feels pleasant after the humid streets below.
December's drier weather and clearer mornings mean the cable car ride offers open valley views more consistently than the cloudier wet-season months. The park's trails are also noticeably less muddy.Booking tipGo on a weekday morning. The Metrocable gets crowded on December weekends, and wait times at Acevedo station can stretch past 30 minutes on Saturdays.
Browse the holiday market around Plaza Botero
shoppingThe area around Plaza Botero and the Museo de Antioquia in La Candelaria fills with temporary holiday vendors in December, selling handmade ornaments, local crafts, and seasonal sweets. Fernando Botero's 23 bronze sculptures in the plaza are the permanent draw, but in December the surrounding streets take on a lively atmosphere with food carts, street performers, and families posing for photos. The nearby Parque de las Luces adds its own illuminated column display in the evenings, extending the visual experience beyond the main Alumbrados route.
The temporary holiday vendors and seasonal street food stalls only set up from late November through late December. The Parque de las Luces evening display complements the Alumbrados route nearby.Booking tipNo booking needed. Visit on a weekday afternoon. Keep valuables in a front-facing bag, as the area gets very crowded on weekends.
Visit Jardín Botánico de Medellín for the orchid displays
natureThe botanical garden in the north of the city covers 14 hectares and houses the Orquideorama, a striking wooden lattice structure sheltering one of Colombia's largest orchid collections. December's mix of late rain and warmth tends to push several orchid species into bloom. The garden also hosts occasional evening events during the holiday season with music and food stalls. Free entry makes it one of the better value stops during a peak-pricing month.
The wet-to-dry season transition triggers blooming in several orchid species housed in the Orquideorama. Free December evening events add a festive dimension unavailable most of the year.Booking tipFree entry. Arrive early on weekend mornings before family groups fill the lawns by 10 AM.
Catch a sunset from Pueblito Paisa on Cerro Nutibara
sightseeingPueblito Paisa is a replica of a traditional Antioquian village on top of Cerro Nutibara, a small hill in the center of the Aburrá Valley. The 360-degree view from the summit takes in the city skyline and surrounding mountains. The walk up takes about 15 minutes from the base, and a few small restaurants and souvenir shops operate at the top. The view toward Belén at dusk, with the city lights starting to appear, is worth the climb on a clear evening.
December's lower cloud cover compared to the wet months of September through November improves sunset visibility from this hilltop by a noticeable margin. Clear evenings are more common.Booking tipFree entry. Arrive by 5 PM to secure a good viewing spot along the western railing. Manageable crowds on weekdays even in December.
What to eat in December
Street food peaks
Empanadas antioqueñas
Available year-round but noticeably more present in December, when temporary stalls multiply along the Alumbrados route and around the Día de las Velitas gatherings. The Antioquian version uses a yellow corn masa shell filled with seasoned ground beef and potato, fried until the outside crackles. Vendors near Parque Norte sell them for a few thousand pesos each, and the corn-oil smell is inescapable along the riverfront on December evenings.
Festival food
Buñuelos
Fried cheese dough balls that appear in every panadería and street cart across Medellin from late November through early January. The outside crisps to a golden shell while the inside stays soft and slightly salty from the queso costeño. Bakeries in Laureles and Envigado tend to fry them fresh in batches every hour during the holiday weeks, and the warm, oily smell might be December's defining sensory marker in this city.
Natilla
A firm, sweet custard made from cornstarch, panela, and milk, typically set in rectangular molds and sliced into blocks. Families serve it cold alongside buñuelos as the traditional Christmas pairing. Households across Medellin make large batches during the Novenas de Aguinaldos gatherings from December 16 through 24. The texture sits somewhere between flan and polenta, denser than most visitors expect on first bite.
Hojuelas
Paper-thin, deep-fried pastry wafers dusted with powdered sugar, sold in stacks at street stalls around Plaza Botero and Parque de Bolívar during December. They shatter when you bite into them. Each one looks slightly different because vendors shape them by hand before frying, giving the finished product an uneven, artisanal appearance that's part of the appeal.
Manjar blanco
A thick milk caramel spread similar to dulce de leche but cooked longer until it reaches a paste-like consistency. In December it shows up as a filling in obleas (thin wafer sandwiches) sold by vendors near the Alumbrados walking route along the Río Medellín. Vendors also serve it in small cups as a quick sweet snack between light installations.
Regular events in December
Novenas de AguinaldosFree
Nine consecutive nights of communal prayer, singing, and food sharing in homes, churches, and public parks across Medellin. Each night follows a set prayer structure, but the real draw is the social gathering afterward, with buñuelos, natilla, and hot chocolate served in generous quantities. Public gatherings in Parque de los Deseos and Parque de Bolívar welcome visitors.
December 16-24Año Viejo effigy burningFree
On December 31, neighborhoods across Medellin build life-sized effigies called muñecos de Año Viejo, often caricatures of politicians, celebrities, or cultural figures from the past year. At midnight, the effigies are set on fire in the streets. Belén and parts of Envigado are known for particularly elaborate constructions that take weeks to build. The tradition symbolizes burning away the old year's troubles.
December 31Holiday concerts at Teatro Metropolitano
The Teatro Metropolitano in La Candelaria typically programs a series of holiday concerts through December, including performances by the Orquesta Filarmónica de Medellín. Past December programs have featured seasonal classical music, Colombian folk arrangements, and choral performances. Weekend evening shows tend to sell out earliest.
Various dates throughout DecemberFeria Navideña at Plaza Mayor
The Plaza Mayor convention center near Suramericana Metro station hosts a Christmas fair in December with local artisan vendors, food stalls, and family-oriented entertainment. The fair features Antioquian crafts, handmade nativity scenes (pesebres), and regional food products. Exact dates and format shift from year to year.
Mid-December (dates vary annually)Best places this December
Parque Norte and Río Medellín corridor
parkThe main hub of the Alumbrados Navideños. Parque Norte anchors the northern end of the light route, with large-scale installations, food courts, and family entertainment. The walking path south along the Río Medellín connects to additional light displays stretching roughly 2 kilometers. Best visited after 6:30 PM when the installations are fully lit. Weeknight visits dodge the worst of the weekend crowds that arrive after December 15.
AranjuezPlaza Botero
landmarkThe open-air plaza displaying 23 bronze sculptures by Fernando Botero, adjacent to the Museo de Antioquia. In December, the surrounding streets host holiday vendors selling crafts and seasonal food. The nearby Parque de las Luces adds its grid of 300 illuminated columns to the evening atmosphere, creating a second light experience outside the main Alumbrados route.
La CandelariaParque de los Deseos
parkA public space near the Universidad de Antioquia campus that hosts community Novenas de Aguinaldos gatherings nightly from December 16 through 24. The park has an interactive fountain, an open-air amphitheater, and the adjacent Planetario de Medellín. December evenings fill the space with families singing villancicos and sharing holiday food. Worth visiting at least one evening during the Novenas period for the communal atmosphere.
AranjuezPueblito Paisa on Cerro Nutibara
viewpointA replica traditional Antioquian village on a hilltop offering 360-degree views across the Aburrá Valley. December's clearer skies improve sunset visibility compared to the wetter months. The 15-minute walk up passes through landscaped gardens. Small restaurants at the summit serve bandeja paisa and aguapanela. The view toward Belén during Día de las Velitas on December 7 is especially memorable with candlelight visible across the valley floor below.
BelénJardín Botánico de Medellín
gardenA 14-hectare botanical garden featuring the Orquideorama, a wooden lattice canopy structure housing hundreds of orchid species. Free entry makes it a welcome stop during peak-pricing December. The garden hosts occasional holiday evening events with live music and food stalls. The wet-to-dry transition in December triggers blooming in several orchid varieties.
AranjuezProvenza
dining districtA tree-lined corridor in upper El Poblado that has become the city's trendiest dining and cocktail street. In December, restaurants set up outdoor holiday decorations, and the pedestrianized sections fill with evening strollers. Expect higher prices and longer wait times at dinner, especially after December 15 when domestic tourists arrive. The concentration of restaurants makes it useful for last-minute dining when other reservations fall through.
El PobladoParque Arví
nature reserveA 16,000-hectare ecological reserve accessible via the Metrocable L line from Acevedo station. December's drier conditions make the cloud forest trails less muddy and the cable car views clearer than the wet-season months. The weekend artisan market near the park entrance sells local crafts, fruit preserves, and organic produce. Temperatures at this elevation run a few degrees cooler than the city floor at roughly 2,500 meters (8,200 feet).
Santa Elena
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Insider tips
The first week of December, before Colombian schools let out around December 10, offers the Alumbrados with noticeably thinner crowds. The installations are fully operational, but the domestic tourism wave hasn't yet arrived. If your schedule is flexible, this window gives you the lights and the Día de las Velitas on December 7 without the holiday crush.
For Día de las Velitas on December 7, skip the big organized displays and walk through a residential neighborhood like Belén or parts of Envigado instead. The family-run candle displays on quieter streets feel more intimate than the large public plazas, and neighbors sometimes hand out buñuelos and hot chocolate to passersby.
The Alumbrados route is best walked from south to north, starting near Industriales Metro station and ending at Parque Norte. Most visitors do the opposite because Parque Norte gets more publicity as the starting point, which means you'll walk against the main flow and encounter less congestion in the second half of the route.
During the Novenas (December 16-24), ask your accommodation host whether the building or neighborhood has its own gathering. Hostel and hotel Novenas are a relaxed way to participate without navigating the crowded public ones at Parque de los Deseos, and hosts typically provide the food and prayer booklets.
Avoid the Metro between 5 PM and 8 PM on weekend evenings in December. The combination of holiday shoppers and Alumbrados visitors packs the trains between Universidad and Estadio stations beyond comfortable capacity. A taxi or walking between those stations during peak evening hours saves real discomfort.
Avoid these mistakes
- Booking accommodation only for the week of December 25 and assuming prices will be similar the week before. In Medellin, rates start climbing by December 10 and peak between December 20 and January 2. Many properties enforce minimum stays of 3 to 5 nights during the holiday window. Book by early November for the best inventory and rates.
- Trying to visit Guatapé on a weekend in the second half of December. The 2-hour drive east from Medellin can stretch past 3.5 hours with holiday traffic, and the 740 steps up La Piedra del Peñol get congested enough that you spend more time waiting in line on the staircase than actually climbing. Go on a Tuesday or Wednesday morning instead.
- Planning restaurant dinners on December 24 or 31 without a reservation. Many popular restaurants in El Poblado and Laureles either close entirely for private family celebrations or switch to a fixed-price holiday menu that books out weeks in advance. Ask your hotel for recommendations by December 15 at the latest.
- Packing heavy hiking boots for the Alumbrados. The route is flat, paved, and about 2 kilometers along the riverfront. Heavy footwear in 85 percent humidity leads to blisters within an hour. Light, closed-toe walking shoes or clean sneakers handle the occasional rain puddle and feel far more comfortable for a 2-hour evening walk.
Practical tips for December
Book accommodation by early November if you plan to travel between December 15 and January 5, as the holiday window fills fast and last-minute options skew expensive or inconveniently located outside the main neighborhoods. Many smaller Medellin businesses, especially family-run restaurants, hardware stores, and government offices, close or reduce hours from December 24 through January 2. Larger supermarkets like Éxito and Jumbo stay open but may shorten hours on December 25 and January 1. The Metro runs extended evening hours during the Alumbrados season, typically until 11 PM or later, but confirm at the station or via the Metro de Medellín app before heading out. Tipping in sit-down restaurants is typically 10 percent, and most places in El Poblado and Laureles add it to the bill automatically as a "propina voluntaria," though you can decline if service was poor. Carry smaller peso bills for street food vendors along the Alumbrados route, as many don't accept cards or large denominations. If you're attending Día de las Velitas on December 7, wear clothing you don't mind getting candle wax or soot on, because the smoke is unavoidable in the thicker neighborhood crowds after 8 PM.
FAQ
Is December a good time to visit Medellin?
December is one of the better months for visiting Medellin, though it comes with trade-offs. Rainfall drops to around 114mm, down significantly from October's 259mm, and temperatures hold steady at a comfortable 26°C (79°F) during the day. The Alumbrados Navideños light display is the city's biggest annual attraction, and Colombian Christmas traditions like Día de las Velitas on December 7 and the Novenas from December 16-24 give the month a cultural depth you won't find from June through November. The honest downside is cost and congestion. Hotel rates in El Poblado run 40 to 60 percent above the annual average, and domestic tourism spikes after December 15. The first two weeks of December tend to offer the best balance.
What is the weather like in Medellin in December?
December averages a high of 26°C (79°F) and a low of 16°C (61°F), consistent with Medellin's reputation as the City of Eternal Spring. Rainfall lands around 114mm spread across roughly 20 days, but the showers tend to be brief afternoon events lasting 20 to 40 minutes rather than all-day downpours. Humidity sits at 85 percent, which you'll notice during uphill walks through neighborhoods like Buenos Aires or Santo Domingo, but which rarely feels oppressive given the city's 1,500-meter (4,900-foot) elevation. Mornings are typically clear and warm, making them the best window for outdoor plans before the afternoon clouds build.
Is Medellin crowded in December?
Yes, particularly from mid-December onward. The first two weeks of December are busy but manageable, especially on weekdays. After Colombian schools let out around December 10, domestic tourists from Bogotá, Cali, and the Caribbean coast arrive for the holidays. The Alumbrados walking route along the Río Medellín gets very crowded on Friday and Saturday evenings, with wait times at some Metro stations exceeding 20 minutes. El Poblado's restaurants and nightlife around Parque Lleras fill to capacity most nights after December 15. If you want the holiday atmosphere without the peak crush, the first week of December is the sweet spot.
How much more expensive is Medellin in December compared to other months?
December is Medellin's priciest month for accommodation and domestic flights. Hotels and Airbnbs in El Poblado and Laureles typically charge 40 to 60 percent above their annual average, with some properties enforcing 3- to 5-night minimum stays during the holiday week of December 20 through January 2. Domestic flights from Bogotá can double after December 15. Daily expenses like meals, Metro fares, and attraction entry stay more stable. A meal in a mid-range restaurant in Laureles still costs roughly what it would in September. The biggest budget impact is accommodation and transport, not day-to-day spending on the ground.
What are the best things to do in Medellin in December?
The Alumbrados Navideños light display along the Río Medellín is the headline draw, running nightly from early December through mid-January at no cost. Día de las Velitas on December 7 fills every neighborhood with candles and paper lanterns for one of Colombia's most photogenic traditions. The Novenas de Aguinaldos gatherings from December 16-24 offer a genuine window into Colombian family life during the holidays. Beyond the seasonal events, December's drier weather makes it a strong month for the Metrocable ride to Parque Arví, the day trip to Guatapé and La Piedra del Peñol, and sunset views from Pueblito Paisa. Plan outdoor activities for the morning, as afternoon showers remain common even in this drier month.
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