Novena de Aguinaldos: A guide to Participating in 9-Day Ritual

Home Things to Do Events & Holidays Novena de Aguinaldos: A guide to Participating in 9-Day Ritual

Join Colombia’s Christmas season from the inside with this friendly guide to the Novena de Aguinaldos. Learn what the nine-night prayer tradition is, when it happens, how each evening is structured, what foods to expect (from Natilla and Buñuelos to hot chocolate with cheese), and where you can participate in Colombia, whether in homes, churches, or malls, so you can celebrate Nochebuena like a local.

If you’re wandering through Colombia in December, you’ll quickly notice that Christmas festivities here don’t start on Christmas Eve, they begin nine days earlier, with a beloved tradition called the Novena de Aguinaldos. This 9-day countdown to Christmas blends heartfelt religious devotion, joyful community gatherings, and vibrant music, creating an unparalleled experience in Colombian culture.

Known as “La Novena de Aguinaldos,” this tradition is a cherished cornerstone of Colombian Christmas celebrations. It combines religious devotion with festive cheer and community gatherings. For expats, the Novena is the single most authentic way to experience Colombian culture during the holidays.

What is the Novena de Aguinaldos?

The Novena de Aguinaldos is a cherished nine-day devotional prayer cycle that unites Catholic families and communities across Colombia, and parts of Ecuador and Venezuela, in spiritual and festive preparation for the birth of Jesus Christ on Christmas Eve (December 24th). Far from being a simple prayer, it’s a vibrant cultural cornerstone filled with music, food, and fellowship that defines Colombian Christmas celebrations.

This tradition originated in the 18th century within the Spanish colony of New Granada (now Colombia). Around 1743, the Franciscan friar Fray Fernando de Jesús Larrea wrote the original text at the request of Doña Clemencia de Jesús Caycedo Vélez, founder of the La Enseñanza teaching school in Bogotá. The novena’s nine consecutive days symbolize the Virgin Mary’s pregnancy, adding deep symbolic meaning to each gathering.

Later, in the late 19th century, Sister María Ignacia enriched the tradition by adding the musical elements known as “Los Gozos”, joyful Christmas songs that transform the novena into a lively, heartwarming family festival. Today, the Novena de Aguinaldos embodies Colombia’s beautiful fusion of religious devotion and festive spirit.

When Does the Novena Take Place?

The Novena de Aguinaldos is celebrated every year from December 16th to December 24th, culminating on Nochebuena (Christmas Eve). This nine-day celebration reflects the nine months the Virgin Mary awaited the birth of Jesus, making it a spiritually and symbolically rich tradition. On this year, the Novena kicks off on Tuesday, December 16th.

The Daily Preparations of the Novena: Day-by-Day

Each day of the Novena centers around a unique theme and corresponding scriptural reflection that guides participants through the Advent story toward the Nativity. Understanding the daily focus helps expats appreciate the deeper meanings behind the prayers, songs (Gozos), and gatherings, whether they emphasize devotion, family, joy, or charity. Some days may lean more on social connection and celebration in addition to religious reflection, making each evening both meaningful and festive.

Day	Date	Theme or Daily Focus
Day 1	Tuesday, Dec 16	The Annunciation to Mary: Reflection on the moment the Angel Gabriel delivers the news
Day 2	Wednesday, Dec 17	The Journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem: Remembering the hardships they faced.
Day 3	Thursday, Dec 18	The Posada (Inn): The search for refuge in Bethlehem.
Day 4	Friday, Dec 19	The Annunciation to the Shepherds: The angel bringing the good news to the humble shepherds.
Day 5	Saturday, Dec 20	The Adoration of the Shepherds: Highlighting the simplicity and devotion of the first visitors.
Day 6	Sunday, Dec 21	The Adoration of the Three Wise Men (Kings): Celebrating the arrival of the wise men bearing gifts.
Day 7	Monday, Dec 22	The Mirror without Stain: A reflection on Mary as the sinless image of God.
Day 8	Tuesday, Dec 23	The King of Nations: Prayer and reflection on Jesus as the Emmanuel.
Day 9	Wednesday, Dec 24	Nochebuena (Christmas Eve): The final culmination, celebrating the actual birth of Christ.

How Do I Participate in the Novena Ritual?

The Novena de Aguinaldos is not just one continuous prayer but a structured ceremony repeated each night for nine days. For an expat, grasping the order helps you join respectfully and know exactly when to sing, when to listen, and when to enjoy the festive food!

Oración para todos los días (Prayer for Every Day):
The opening prayer everyone recites to begin the session together.
Lectura correspondiente al día (Daily Readings/Reflections)
A scripture passage or reflection themed to that night's focus, such as the journey to Bethlehem.
Oración a la Santísima Virgen María y a San José (Prayers to Mary and St. Joseph)
Dedicated prayers honoring Jesus’s parents.
Los Gozos (The Joys):
The heart of the Novena, this lively sung litany features the well-known chorus begging the Baby Jesus to "¡Ven a nuestras almas! ¡Ven, no tardes tanto!" (“Come to our souls! Come quickly!”). It’s the communal, joyful centerpiece.
Oración al Niño Jesús (Prayer to the Baby Jesus):
The main personal prayer where attendees present their wishes and intentions, often for the upcoming year.
Villancicos (Christmas Carols):
The formal part wraps here, leading to the festive singing of beloved traditional songs
The Food and Fellowship
After the carols, the gathering shifts into a social celebration, complete with traditional Christmas treats and warm community spirit.

What Traditional Colombian Food is Served During the Novena?

The Novena de Aguinaldos wouldn’t be complete without the iconic Colombian Christmas treats, most famously Natilla and Buñuelos. These dishes aren’t just desserts, they’re a vital part of the celebration, where the quality of the food is just as important as the prayers and songs.

Natilla
A creamy, custard-like dessert that is the quintessential Colombian Christmas sweet. Unlike the custard found in other countries, traditional Natilla is thickened with cornstarch and made with panela (unrefined cane sugar), milk, and cinnamon sticks.
Buñelos
Buñuelos are small, fried cheese dough balls that are crispy on the outside and wonderfully fluffy and soft on the inside. They are the essential savory counterpoint to the sweetness of the Natilla.
Hojuelas
Thin, fried batter dusted with sugar.
Empanadas
Savory pastries filled with rice and meat.
Tamales
Corn flour dough stuffed with meat and vegetables, wrapped in banana leaves and steamed.
Hot Chocolate with Cheese
A staple in mountainous regions like Antioquia and Bogotá, where a chunk of cheese is placed in the hot chocolate to melt and then scooped out
Drinks
Adults often enjoy Aguardiente (anise-flavored liquor)

Where Can Expats Attend a Novena in Colombia?

The Novena de Aguinaldos is celebrated in homes, neighborhoods, churches, and public spaces across Colombia, so expats can find ways to participate almost anywhere in the country. Because it’s primarily a family and community tradition, most gatherings happen in private homes, but many cities and towns also host public Novenas that are open to everyone.

How Can Expats Join?

Accept an invitation
From Colombian friends, coworkers, or neighbors whenever possible
Ask locally
At churches, city cultural offices, or tourist information points for public Novena schedules.Ask locally at churches, city cultural offices, or tourist information points for public Novena schedules.
Check
Social media pages of city governments, churches, and shopping malls for posted programs.

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Public Novenas in Major Cities

Medellín (Antioquia)

In Medellín, the Novena is closely linked to the Alumbrados Navideños and commercial areas, making it easy for visitors to join.

Major churches
The Metropolitan Cathedral of Medellín and large parishes in neighborhoods like El Poblado and Laureles usually host evening Novenas that welcome visitors.
Shopping malls:
Centers such as El Tesoro, Oviedo, Premium Plaza, and Santafé frequently organize public Novenas with live music, children’s activities, and large Christmas displays.
Check
Social media pages of city governments, churches, and shopping malls for posted programs.

Bogotá (Cundinamarca)

The capital hosts some of the biggest, most organized public Novenas in the country.

Massive events
Look for large-scale programs like “Una Novena por Bogotá”, often held at venues such as Movistar Arena, or in major parks like Parque El Tunal, sometimes featuring the Bogotá Philharmonic Orchestra or other live performances.
Neighborhood Novenas:
Local alcaldías (mayor’s offices) typically coordinate Novenas in neighborhood parks and plazas throughout the city, which are open to the public and family‑friendly.

Other Cities (Cali, Caribbean Coast, and More)

Across other Colombian cities, the basic pattern of public Novenas remains the same, with central squares, churches, and community centers playing the leading role. In Cali, many public Novenas are tied to the build‑up for the Feria de Cali, with gatherings at the Cali Cathedral and the main plazas. Along the Caribbean coast in cities like Cartagena, Barranquilla, and Santa Marta, large parishes and community hubs, often coordinated through juntas de acción comunal, host open Novenas in historic plazas and neighborhood squares.

Nationwide, major shopping malls, such as Mallplaza locations or centers attached to big supermarket brandsalso organize standardized Novena programs across multiple cities, giving expats and visitors plenty of options to join in.

How Does the Novena Lead to Nochebuena (Christmas Eve)?

The Novena de Aguinaldos reaches its vibrant climax on Day 9, the evening of December 24th, celebrated as Nochebuena (The Good Night) across Latin America. For Colombians, this night is the pinnacle of holiday festivities, often more important than Christmas Day itself.

The Nochebuena Ritual

Final Novena
Participants recite the ninth and last session of prayers and Gozos, the festive sung litany invoking Baby Jesus.
Nativity Completion
The figure of the Niño Dios (Baby Jesus) is ceremoniously placed in the pesebre (nativity scene), symbolizing Jesus’s birth and signaling the official start of Christmas celebrations.
The Christmas Feast
Families surge together for a large, late dinner called Cena de Nochebuena, featuring traditional dishes like lechona (stuffed suckling pig), ajiaco (hearty chicken soup), or roasted pork and ham.
Misa de Gallo
Many attend the traditional Midnight Mass, known as the “Mass of the Rooster,” commemorating the birth of Christ
Gifts (Aguinaldos)
After midnight or upon returning home, families open gifts known as Aguinaldos, traditionally said to be brought by the Niño Dios rather than Santa Claus.

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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: Novena de Aguinaldos: A guide to Participating in 9-Day Ritual

The Novena de Aguinaldos 2025 is much more than a series of prayers. It is a vibrant expression of Colombian warmth, hospitality, and cultural pride that strengthens community bonds during the holiday season. For nine consecutive nights leading to Nochebuena, this tradition invites you to step beyond the tourist lens and immerse yourself fully in one of Colombia’s most cherished celebrations.

From the joyful singing of Villancicos (Christmas carols) to savoring the comforting flavors of Natilla and Buñuelos, the Novena encapsulates the heart and soul of Colombian Christmas. For expats, participating in the Novena offers a genuine entry point into local culture and a deep sense of belonging, something priceless when making Colombia home.

Accepting an invitation to a Novena and learning the words to Los Gozos (the traditional songs) are simple but powerful steps to building lasting friendships and connections within your new community.