Dia de las Velitas December 7

On this night, people place candles and paper lanterns on windowsills, balconies, porches, sidewalks, streets, parks and squares; in short, wherever we see them, in honor of the Virgin Mary and her Immaculate Conception. On December 8, it is customary for houses to hoist a white flag with the image of the Virgin Mary all day. They also host many events, from fireworks to competitions.

El Día de las Velitas is celebrated throughout Colombia, but traditions vary in each region and city.

In the municipality of Quimbaya, in the department of Quindío, the most important cultural event is the Festival of Candles and Lanterns (full name in Spanish : Fiesta Nacional del Concurso de Alumbrados con Velas y Faroles), which began in 1982 and takes place every year on December 7 and 8. Each of the township's neighborhoods compete to produce the most spectacular lighting arrangements, and many visitors come from all over Colombia to view the displays.

The Christmas Panther of Quimbaya is an indigenous figure recognized by the indigenous and mestizo communities of the Quindío Department of Colombia. Belief in the Christmas Panther (el puma de navidad) has developed throughout the history of the Quimbaya festival known as Alumbrado de Navidad (see Feast of the Immaculate Conception), celebrated on December 7 in recognition of the Catholic belief in the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The importance of the puma is thought to have come from the arrival of ethnically Spanish colonialists from Antioquia in the region during the 1850s. The colonialist's Catholic traditions of using candlelight to celebrate the Immaculate Conception were combined with the local Quimbaya tribe's belief in the effect that fire (luces de fogota) had in protecting against panther attacks, as pumas and other local animals fear fire.

Thus, in a case of religious syncretism, the Alumbrado de Navidad and the symbolism of the puma to indigenous peoples were linked. It is still common to display the panther symbol (in the form of sculptures in terracotta, fabric, plastic, etc.) in conjunction with the lighting of candles on the night of December 7. Such religious syncretism is particularly visible in the pueblos rural areas of Quindio where many residents claim full or partial descent from the indigenous Quimbaya peoples of the region.

In Bogotá, Christmas decorations reach their peak on this day; the city, fully decorated, provides late night activities for the whole family since most Colombians would be passing through to admire the shows, many streets close to traffic and allowing pedestrians to wander freely and stop to admire the lighting arrangements.

Shopping centers, museums, stores and other public places have extended opening hours. Many shows take place this night, live nativity scenes, Christmas carols, among others.

In the Caribbean region of Colombia, the lighting of candles and lanterns takes place in the early hours of December 8, before sunrise, instead of the day before. Devout Catholics wake up before sunrise and light candles with their family members.

Many people decide to stay up all night and party and light the candles before retiring to bed. Families come together to celebrate the day and as well as lighting the candles, there is plenty of food and drink. An evening that brings groups of extended families together to chat during the evening.

In Cali, people from Valle del Cauca also walk along the Cali River which is lit up for the season.