La Navidad in Colombia Christmas in Colombia is a religious event also mixed with lots of fiestas! In Colombia la Navidad starts on December 7th by celebrating the day of “La Virgen de la Inmaculada Concepción”. This day is widely known as “El Día de las Velitas” or “The Day of the Candles”. At dusk everyone begins lighting skinny candles stuck onto long pieces of wood board to make an infinite line that illuminates the front of their homes, housing complexes, churches, parks, etc. Then there is food and dancing. Buñuelos, fritters, and empanadas, fried dough stuffed with potatoes and meat are served. Christmas in Colombia is deeply rooted in Catholic tradition like in most Hispanic countries. Beginning on the night of December 16 family members and friends gather together to pray, sing “villancicos” or Christmas carols, and enjoy traditional Christmas foods. People continue to gather together each night up until December 24. Children in Colombia are deeply involved in the holiday traditions. They help set out the decorations which include a lit Christmas tree and a nativity scene. Then they write a letter to “El Niño Dios” or baby Jesus and place it into the nativity. The letter disappears, meaning that baby Jesus took it so he can know what presents to place at the foot of the childrens’ beds on Christmas Eve. Children will also help their parents buy and wrap gifts that will be delivered to street corners where less fortunate children may be begging. What you eat for Christmas Eve dinner depends on where in Colombia you live. People in the capitol city might serve “Ajiaco”, a hearty chicken soup for the main dish. Colombians who have a second home or “farm” will serve an “asado” which includes a variety of grilled meats. For dessert, people who live on the Atlantic coast prefer “arroz con coco” or coconut rice pudding, while people living further inland prefer “postre de natas,” which is made with milk and condensed milk cooked with sugar, cinnamon and raisins. Everyone throughout Colombia enjoys “Natilla”. It is made with cinnamon, corn starch, milk, and a hard sweetener from sugar cane. Many people in Colombia light “pólvora” or fireworks throughout the month of December. Children get “chispitas mariposas” or sparklers. Colombians also light the inside of paper globes and let them fly freely into the air. As you can see, Christmas in Colombia is a very special time! .