How Is Christmas Celebrated in Other Countries? Today: Colombia.

Helloooo!

In the previous post, we talked about how Palma (and the island of Mallorca in general) celebrates the arrival of Christmas and how the streets begin to take on new lights, new smells, and once again fill with movement. Not as much as in summer, of course, but the hustle and bustle (on another level) returns.

This, together with boundless imagination and the desire to learn, explore and discover more about these festivities, has created an urgent need: to know how similar or different Christmas celebrations are in other countries. But which countries? Very easy. Today, we begin a special series dedicated to the countries of our most international colleagues.

These countries are Brazil, Serbia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Italy, Peru, Mexico and Colombia. And now, let’s get straight to it—quite literally in Spain, where “turrón” is essential at Christmas—with our first destination: Colombia.

Christmas is a time when family traditions, gastronomy and religious celebrations intertwine to create a unique atmosphere in every country. Spain and Colombia, although geographically distant, share a deep cultural heritage that makes their Christmases both similar and beautifully distinct. This article explores how both countries live these festive days, which foods take center stage, and what celebrations take place before Christmas Day.

In Colombia, Christmas officially begins on December 7th with Día de las Velitas (Day of the Little Candles), one of the country’s most iconic traditions. Families light up the streets, windows and patios with candles and colorful lanterns in honor of the Immaculate Conception, marking the start of a festive spirit that lasts throughout the month. This celebration, full of symbolism and community bonding, marks the beginning of the holiday season and is one of the most eagerly anticipated moments for Colombians.

An interesting and revealing aspect of the religious significance (and faith) behind this celebration is that each candle is dedicated to an intention—something we want to invite into our lives or something we do not want to lose. They symbolize wishes for our lives, such as happiness, health, peace or prosperity.

On December 8th, both countries celebrate the Immaculate Conception, although its social and festive importance is greater in Colombia. In many parts of the South American country, processions, special masses and community activities highlight the religious importance of the date. In some Colombian regions, this day is also associated with the beginning of the so-called Day of Resurrection, a celebration filled with Catholic symbolism and devotion.

In Spain, although December 8th is also a public holiday, Christmas usually starts to be felt earlier, around late November, with the switching on of city lights and the setting up of nativity scenes. Pre-Christmas traditions include the long December weekend (“puente de diciembre”), when many families begin decorating their homes.

Of course, some families begin decorating at the end of November or early December, before the long weekend. There are even people—just as a fun fact—who symbolically mark the start of the Christmas season right after Thanksgiving, the North American holiday. So, as always, everyone follows their own dates and traditions.

Now we move on to what truly excites and unites us: gastronomy. Food is one of the most representative elements of Christmas in both countries. In Spain, Christmas Eve dinner brings families together around dishes such as roast lamb, suckling pig, seafood or whatever each family traditionally prepares—or simply feels like preparing. Everyone has their own tastes, and that’s the beauty of it.

WARNING!

The reader’s glucose levels may spike—significantly—after this paragraph. You’ve been warned! If both countries already enjoy sweet treats in everyday life, Christmas takes everything to another level.

In Spain, the stars of the season are turrón, marzipan and polvorones. And of course, we cannot forget the Roscón de Reyes for January 6th, after the visit of the Three Wise Men (on the 5th). Families enjoy this dessert, which symbolically marks the end of the Christmas festivities.

In Colombia, Christmas flavors are warm and festive. Traditional foods include natilla and buñuelos, which appear everywhere from early December. Christmas dinners often feature chicken, prepared in many different ways, though some regions also enjoy roast pork, hayaca (depending on the area), tamales and fruit salad. As in Spain, meals become moments of reunion, celebration and abundance.

Both countries share a strong sense of family, the importance of religion and a vibrant community spirit. However, Colombia stands out for its earlier and more colorful beginning with the Día de las Velitas, while Spain concentrates its most intense celebrations on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Epiphany. The tables in both countries reflect their rich culinary traditions, but they share the same purpose: bringing families together in an atmosphere of love, light and tradition.

In short, Spain and Colombia live Christmas with the same warm heart, even if each country lights up its streets and its tables in its own special way.