As is tradition, every year during December, the different municipalities that make up the Aburrá Valley turn on the Christmas lights that adorn, illuminate, and surprise both locals and visitors, thanks to creativity, elaborate light displays, prominent figures, and all the magic of Christmas that attracts the entire family.
Since 1967, the holiday lights of Medellín have become the most anticipated Christmas display in Aburra Valley by both locals and foreigners, thus becoming the most popular ones, visited by both locals and expats who come from many places around the world to enjoy them and experience the Christmas traditions and customs of the city. So much so that in 2011, National Geographic featured the city’s Christmas lights on its website as one of the ten most beautiful in the world.
In 2024, the municipalities of Medellín, Bello, Itagui, Envigado, and Sabaneta did not fall behind. At various iconic locations in each municipality, thousands of people visit the central parks of each city and the banks of the Medellín River daily to enjoy a pleasant evening illuminated by Christmas lights and share time with family and friends.
Here, we will share our experience visiting each of these places, the vision and symbolism that each municipality wished to convey through its Christmas lights, and the historical richness of the traditions and customs accompanying the Aburrá Valley’s holiday displays.
Brief Timeline of Christmas Lighting in the Aburra Valley
Nuestra Señora de La Candelaria Village (the original name of Medellín) had public lighting as early as July 7, 1898. However, it took fifty more years for December to develop its unique identity. In the 1950s, decorated pine trees were introduced on La Playa, contributed by wealthy families, and neighborhoods began to light up with garlands and shiny paper, creating festive tunnels of lights.
In 1955, when Empresas Públicas de Medellín was just consolidating as an institution, the Christmas Lighting was born. During the Christmas season, part of the city was modestly adorned with unique lamps thanks to material contributions from private companies, authorities, and even the press. The Medellin residents would go to see the official lighting at six in the evening and stroll up and down La Playa Avenue, which has always served as the backbone of the Christmas decorations.
By 1967, Empresas Públicas de Medellín took on the task of creating "los alumbrados," (christmas lightning displays) as they are commonly known, along with their design, assembly, and, of course, their costs. Previously, illuminations on La Playa Avenue and Bolivar Park relied on energy-consuming light bulbs. Now, artisans use LED light hoses and metallic paper to create stunning art.
EPM consistently provided its signature lighting until December 1992, when rationing prompted a creative shift. This unique proposal featured decorations and fire magic, replacing traditional multicolored light bulbs to maintain the city's Christmas charm.
In 1994, for the first time, the lights of Medellín took over the banks of the river that runs through the city. A giant nativity scene was installed over the old Guayaquil bridge.
Since then, the Christmas lights in Medellín, as well as those in the neighboring municipalities, have become one of the most anticipated traditions to witness the evolution of the display and the city beautifully adorned with Christmas lights.
Medellin Christmas Lights 2024
“Medellín: Un Pesebre de Luz (A Manger of Light)” is how EPM and the Alcaldía de Medellín have named this year’s Christmas lights. With a show featuring 320 drones and laser lights that formed figures related to the concept of EPM’s Christmas Lights, the city has witnessed one of the most traditional and emblematic ideas of Christmas: the manger along the Medellín River, with prominent figures and an interactive display of lights that takes us on “the way to Bethlehem,” towards the birth of the Christ child.
The Christmas Lights feature four thematic stations distributed across different areas of the city:
Medellín River Trail
It represented the desert and the arrival of the Three Wise Men, with monumental figures placed by the river.
Desert Tents
They included scenes with animals and campfires that evoke nomadic life.
Pastors and Trails
It recreated roads and typical landscapes of traditional nativity scenes.
Parques del Río
It will feature the nativity portal, the birth of Christ Child, light pavilions, and other representative elements.
“Returning to the essence is always important, and that is why we return to the significance of the nativity scene, how we experience Christmas from childhood, how to return to those traditional figures, to the family atmosphere. Here, the priority is families; the nativity scene is precisely that space of light in the city that will welcome us. Furthermore, there are plans for this to be the largest nativity scene in the world, through Guinness World Records,”
If you want to witness what might be awarded as the largest Nativity Scene in the World in Medellín, we suggest starting your tour at “Parques del Río.”
There, you will find access points that will allow you to walk to the EPM Building and along the riverbank, discovering not only the beautiful lights but also enjoying the immense cultural and gastronomic offerings that have been arranged for everyone. Without a doubt, it’s a family plan filled with tradition and history.
Bello Christmas Lights 2024
To the north of the Aburrá Valley, the municipality of Bello also adorned its main park and surrounding streets with the magic of Christmas, bringing together all its citizens—young and old, and entire families—around distinguished cultural and musical events that, along with the Christmas lights, made this municipality a welcoming, joyful, and very pleasant place to visit during the holiday season.
The lighting includes more than 1,100 meters of LED hoses, 475 decorative elements, and 33 large-format motifs distributed at iconic points such as the municipality’s entrances through Madera and Niquía, the North highway, Carrera 49, Central Park, the Gaspar de Rodas building, Puerta del Norte Mall and the Marco Fidel Suárez hut.
Do not hesitate to visit Bello during these festivities and let yourself be surprised by the warmth of its people, which well represents the slogan proudly carried by the municipality, “Birthplace of Artists,” which you will clearly see reflected in every corner.
The central park, the heart of the celebration, features an impressive Christmas tree, decorative arches, and a bright sky that transport attendees to a world filled with magic and tradition.
Itagui Christmas Lights 2024
In the south of the Aburrá Valley, in the municipality of Itagüí, there is one of the most beautiful public light displays in the entire Metropolitan Area. The display adorns the central park, the church located there, and a lovely Christmas corridor that also decorates the Obrero Park of Itagüí. The display is accompanied by various culinary offerings that have brought together all its citizens and visitors.
Both parks have been widely illuminated with lamps accompanied by large spheres that make their paths a visual delight, where joy, unity, and lights harmoniously accompany the spirit of Christmas. In the central park, the palm trees beautifully decorate the lights around large images, creating a unique and beautiful spot for taking photos with loved ones.
“This Christmas will be magical in Itagüí. Everyone is invited to arrive early at the main park to enjoy and sign up for the institutional offerings and to enjoy the Christmas Light”
This edition, Itagui is the closest thing to a haven of peace, featuring a beautiful corridor that connects its Main Park with the Parque Obrero, showcasing beautiful and striking Christmas decorations that stand out.
Additionally, this corridor is accompanied by traditional gastronomic offerings, souvenirs, and commercial sales that will not go unnoticed. Remember that you can reach both parks from the Itagui metro station.
Envigado Christmas Lights 2024
Similarly, in the south of the Aburrá Valley, in “La Ciudad Señorial,” Envigado has also made a beautiful display of this year’s lovely light display. There, under the motto “Tradition Shines,” thousands of people walk through its streets daily to enjoy its colors and a variety of entrepreneurial offerings for all tastes.
In total, 56 Christmas artisans dedicated their time and love for months to illuminate different areas of the city, creating beautiful Christmas walkways in the streets of Envigado. More than 4,500 Christmas figures were made possible thanks to 5,000 linear meters of decorative fabric, 70,000 linear meters of luminous fabric, and 35 tons of metallic material.
For the first time, the town’s tallest Christmas tree, measuring 19.5 meters, is included in the decorations. The tree is the center of attention for the entire park and one of the area’s most beautiful features. Additionally, surrounding it, you will find other lights accompanying this incredible tree.
Envigado, like every year, surprises locals and visitors not only with its welcoming park and the friendliness of its people but also because it always offers a visual spectacle worth admiring and visiting, consistently standing out for its creativity, innovation, and the lights that adorn its streets, avenues, and corners—a must-see plan in the south of the Aburrá Valley during these festivities.
We are sharing the location with the Envigado Metro Station as the starting point.
Sabaneta Christmas Lights 2024
The Christmas season in the Aburrá Valley comes alive in Sabaneta, where the streets transform into a dazzling wonderland. Each year, families and friends gather to enjoy the vibrant decorations and stunning illuminated figures, creating a magical atmosphere that captures the joy of the holidays. Of course, we couldn’t miss this unforgettable celebration filled with laughter and light.
Sabaneta is mostly illuminated in many of its spaces, reflecting the Mayor’s Office’s efforts to highlight the importance of tradition for families and the entire region, guided by the concept of “The light returns the spirit of Christmas.”
Among all the decorations, there are about 430 figures, 216 projectors, 100 light bulbs, more than 50 kilometers of mini lights, and 4 kilometers of LED hose, according to the Mayor’s Office of Sabaneta, where the Christmas tree stands 16 meters tall, capturing the attention of everyone.
Sabaneta is and will always be a must-visit destination for locals and foreigners who want to fully experience the magic of Christmas and the most deeply rooted Antioquian traditions, which are lived out more profoundly in the beauty of its streets.
Beautiful Christmas decorations and large, elaborate Christmas light displays adorn its main park, which is essential and can also be easily accessed from the Sabaneta Metro station.
Security tips to be safe during Christmas in Medellin
Medellin is a beautiful city with a rich culture and diverse landscape to explore and when you choose it as your next destination, it is essential to be aware of many safety and behavior facts.
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Medellin Gurú has prepared two downloadable PDF guides to make your stay the best, absolutely safe, and referencing everything you need to keep in mind to safeguard your well-being, health, and experience.
Medellin Guru's safety and security series
Safety is the biggest concern of foreigners visiting Colombia or planning to move to Colombia. So, we have a series of 18 popular articles about safety and security in Colombia:
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- Emergency Directory Guides to Ensure Your Safety in Colombia
- Is Colombia Safe? Colombia Security and Safety Tips
- Is Medellín Safe? Medellín Security and Safety Tips
- How to Travel and Live in Colombia Safe as a Foreigner
- What are the Safest Neighborhoods in Medellín and the Aburrá Valley
- Medellín Robbery: Expat Experience Being Robbed at Knifepoint
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- Is Cartagena Safe? Cartagena Security and Safety Tips
- Is Cali Safe? Cali, Colombia Security and Safety Tips
- Is Santa Marta Safe? Santa Marta Security and Safety Tips
- Is Pereira Safe? Pereira, Colombia Security and Safety Tips
- Is Manizales Safe? Manizales Security and Safety Tips
- Is Bucaramanga Safe? Bucaramanga Security and Safety Tips
- Is Barranquilla Safe? Barranquilla Security and Safety Tips
Medellin Guru's comprehensive Colombian culture series
In Medellin Guru, we love Colombia, and we usually write many blogs about Colombian culture, places to visit, and other tips for all expats to have a reliable guide and valuable and relevant information about Colombia. Read our blogs about Colombian Culture here:
- Top Tourist Attractions in Colombia: Top Things to Do
- Top Things to Do in Medellín and Nearby: Top Tourist Attractions
- How to be an Expat in Colombia: 12 Tips to be a Successful Expat
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- Popular Colombian Desserts You Must Try While in Colombia
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- Día de las Velitas: Day of Candles Tradition in Colombia on December 7
- Things in Colombia That May Be Strange for Foreigners
- Things Colombians Do That Foreigners May Find Weird
- Popayán: A Well-Preserved Colonial Gem in Colombia Worth Visiting
- Tejo: A Colombian Game That Rewards You for Explosions
Other things to see and do in Colombia
- Caño Cristales – the most beautiful river in Colombia, which has also been called the most beautiful river in the world by some people.
- Carnival in Barranquilla – the second largest carnival in the world.
- Cartagena – Oozing history, romance and sun-drenched beaches, the allure of historical Cartagena is hard to resist.
- Ciudad Perdida – the site of an ancient city in Colombia that is older than Machu Picchu in Peru.
- Colombia’s Pacific coast – often overlooked by tourists visiting Colombia but offering untamed nature and undiscovered beauty that is off the beaten path for most foreign tourists.
- Desierto de la Tatacoa – the second largest arid zone in Colombia is Tatacoa Desert, which has surreal desert landscapes and some of the best stargazing in Colombia.
- Guatapé – a picturesque pueblo near Medellín known for its huge rock and lake. And it’s likely the most visited pueblo in Colombia by foreigners.
- La Guajira Peninsula – one of the most visually stunning places in South America, which is located on the northern tip of Colombia where the desert meets the sea.
- Las Lajas Sanctuary – the most beautiful church in Colombia, which has also been called the most beautiful church in the world.
- Medellín’s Christmas lights – Medellín’s annual world-class Christmas lights known as Alumbrados Navideños.
- Feria de Las Flores Medellin – Medellín’s world-famous flower festival each year.
- Parque Nacional Natural Los Nevados – a popular national park in Colombia located in the heart of the Colombian coffee region.
- Parque Tayrona – known for its beautiful beaches and the world’s highest coastal mountain range.
- Popayán – a colonial gem in Colombia best known for its white buildings and churches, it’s a city off the beaten path for foreign tourists but is definitely worth visiting.
- Rio Claro Nature Reserve – located about three hours from Medellín, Rio Claro is the perfect place to unplug from hectic daily life and enjoy a picturesque crystal-clear river, canyon and tropical rainforest.
- Salento and the Cocora Valley – Salento is a picturesque pueblo in Colombia’s coffee region and the nearby Cocora Valley is one of the most striking landscapes found in Colombia.
- San Agustín Archaeological Park – the largest group of pre-Columbian monuments and megalithic statues in South America and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- San Andrés – Colombia’s Caribbean island which is a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve featuring many beaches, islets and coral reefs that are filled with flora and fauna.
- San Gil – Colombia’s adventure capital that is full of things to do including white water rafting, paragliding, caving, rappelling, hiking and much more.
- San Jose del Guaviare – a hidden gem and eco-tourism location off the beaten path and offering wildlife watching, jungle trekking and delving into Colombia’s prehistoric past.
The Bottom Line: 2024 Aburra Valley Christmas Lights: Medellin and its surroundings
The Christmas lights in the Aburrá Valley are a beloved tradition that brings together the communities of Medellín, Bello, Itagüí, Envigado, and Sabaneta each year, creating a magical atmosphere filled with festive decorations, cultural celebrations, and the joy of the season. With stunning light displays, impressive nativity scenes, and a sense of unity, these municipalities offer visitors a unique and unforgettable holiday experience, showcasing the creativity and warmth of the region. Be sure to visit, enjoy the lights, and immerse yourself in the Christmas spirit while keeping safety in mind.
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