Medellin Christmas Lights (Alumbrados): Where and When to See Them

Quick overview: Medellin’s Christmas lights, known as the Alumbrados EPM, are the city’s biggest December tradition. This year, EPM has confirmed the lights will go ahead and has scheduled the switch-on for the window between November 23 and December 6, with the exact opening night announced closer to the date. In the previous edition, the lights ran from November 28 to January 12, every night from 6:00 p.m. to midnight, across around 60 lit points in the city. The main display is along the Medellin River at Parques del Río, near downtown. The best nights to go are weeknights early in December, and the most memorable dates are December 7 (Día de las Velitas) and December 8 (the Desfile de Mitos y Leyendas). Plan transportation in advance, because traffic and crowds grow every week until Christmas.

What Are the Alumbrados in Medellin?

The Alumbrados are Medellin’s Christmas light displays, organized every year by EPM, the city’s public utility company, together with the Mayor’s Office.

Each edition has a different theme. Streets, parks, bridges and the banks of the Medellin River are decorated with millions of LED bulbs, illuminated figures, tunnels, light canopies and interactive installations.

For locals, walking through the Alumbrados is a family ritual. For visitors, it is one of the best reasons to travel to Medellin in December. The previous edition, for example, used around 8 million LED bulbs and 25,000 figures, many of them handmade by local artisans.

The tradition has been running for more than five decades, and the previous edition was the 58th.

When Do the Medellin Christmas Lights Turn On This Year?

In October, EPM confirmed that the Alumbrados will not be cancelled, despite the energy-saving recommendations related to El Niño. According to the published schedule, the lights in Medellin and in the 14 Antioquia towns that won EPM’s “Encendamos la Alegría” contest will be switched on between November 23 and December 6.

The exact date of the official switch-on ceremony is usually announced a few weeks beforehand. Before you fix your dates, check the official EPM or Alcaldía de Medellín channels.

As a reference, this is how the last edition worked:

In practice, if you are in Medellin from the first week of December until early January, you will almost certainly see the lights.

Where to See the Christmas Lights in Medellin

Parques del Río and the Medellin River

This is the heart of the Alumbrados. The main display runs along the river near downtown, around Parques del Río, with the largest figures, light tunnels and immersive installations.

It is also the busiest area, so plan to walk part of the route and avoid arriving right when the lights turn on during weekends.

Downtown: La Playa, Junín and the EPM Building

The traditional route continues through downtown, especially around Avenida La Playa and the area of the EPM Building. In past editions, this area has included large installations, a Christmas tree and light projections.

Downtown gets very crowded at night, so it is best visited as a group, with a clear meeting point and transportation planned for the way back.

Neighborhood Parks

The Alumbrados are not limited to the river. Main parks in different neighborhoods and the city’s five rural districts (corregimientos) also receive their own decoration.

If you are staying in El Poblado or Laureles, ask locally which parks are decorated that year. It can be a shorter, calmer alternative to the main route.

Viewpoints Over the City

During December, the whole valley glows at night. Seeing the city from above is a different way to enjoy the season. Our guide to the best viewpoints in Medellin can help you choose where to go after dark.

Key December Dates Around the Alumbrados

Alborada (Night of November 30)

Medellin has a local tradition of welcoming December at midnight between November 30 and December 1, with music and celebrations in many neighborhoods. Expect noise and fireworks around the city that night.

Día de las Velitas (December 7)

On the night of December 7, families light candles and lanterns outside their homes, in parks and on sidewalks. It marks the start of the Christmas season in Colombia and is one of the most beautiful nights to walk around the city.

Desfile de Mitos y Leyendas (December 8)

On December 8, a national holiday, downtown Medellin hosts the traditional Myths and Legends Parade. The route usually starts at Teatro Pablo Tobón Uribe and runs for nearly two kilometers to Parque de las Luces, with costumed groups, music and silleteros.

Roads close downtown during the parade, so plan your movements around it.

Novenas (December 16 to 24)

During the nine nights before Christmas, Colombian families gather to pray the Novena de Aguinaldos, sing carols and share natilla and buñuelos. Many restaurants and venues add seasonal menus during these weeks.

Best Time to Visit the Alumbrados

The lights are the same every night, but the experience changes a lot depending on when you go.

• Best overall: weeknights in the first two weeks of December
• Best atmosphere: December 7 and 8
• Busiest: Fridays, Saturdays, holiday weekends and the days between Christmas and New Year
• Calmer: the first week after the switch-on and the first days of January

Arriving around 6:00 p.m. lets you see the moment the lights turn on and leave before the biggest crowds. If December is not fixed in your calendar yet, our guide to the best time to travel to Medellin explains how the season compares with the rest of the year.

How to Get to the Alumbrados

The main display is close to Metro stations along the river corridor, and the Metro is often the fastest way to reach the area during peak hours.

However, Metro stations can be very full on December nights, and traffic around downtown slows down considerably.

For groups, it is easier to arrange transportation in advance:

• Agree on a drop-off and pick-up point before you arrive
• Avoid driving around downtown on weekend nights
• Keep the return trip planned, especially if you continue to dinner or nightlife afterwards
• Share live location with the group in crowded areas

For larger groups or families, a private chauffeur in Medellin avoids splitting the group into several taxis and waiting for rides at midnight.

Tips for Enjoying the Christmas Lights With a Group

• Wear comfortable shoes: the main route involves a lot of walking.
• Bring a light jacket: evenings can be cool and rain is still possible in December.
• Keep valuables secure: crowds attract pickpockets, so carry only what you need.
• Set a meeting point: it is easy to lose people in crowded areas.
• Eat before or after, not during: street food is part of the experience, but plan a proper dinner reservation for groups.
• Charge your phone: you will take more photos and videos than you expect.

Combine the Alumbrados With the Rest of Your Trip

The lights are best enjoyed as one evening of a longer December trip. A good plan combines them with a rooftop dinner, a day trip, private experiences and Medellin’s nightlife.

Where you stay also matters. If you want to move easily between the lights, restaurants and nightlife, check our guide to the best areas to stay in Medellin for tourists.

December is high season, so villas, transportation and restaurant reservations for groups fill up fast. The earlier you plan, the more options you have.

Frequently Asked Questions About Medellin’s Christmas Lights

When do the Medellin Christmas lights start this year?

EPM has scheduled this year’s switch-on between November 23 and December 6. The exact opening night is announced closer to the date by EPM and the Alcaldía de Medellín.

Are this year’s Alumbrados cancelled because of El Niño?

No. In October, EPM confirmed that the Christmas lights in Medellin and in 14 Antioquia towns will go ahead, while authorities continue to encourage energy and water saving.

What time are the Medellin Christmas lights on?

In the previous edition, the lights were on every night from 6:00 p.m. to midnight. A similar schedule is expected this season, pending confirmation.

Where is the main Christmas lights display in Medellin?

The main display is along the Medellin River around Parques del Río, near downtown, with additional decoration in downtown streets, neighborhood parks and rural districts.

How long do the Christmas lights last in Medellin?

They usually stay on for around 46 nights, from late November or early December until the January holiday weekend. In the previous edition, they ran from November 28 to January 12.

Are the Alumbrados free?

Yes. Walking the public displays along the river, downtown and in neighborhood parks is free.

What is the best day to see the Alumbrados?

Weeknights in early December are the most comfortable. December 7 (Día de las Velitas) and December 8 (Desfile de Mitos y Leyendas) are the most festive, but also busier.

Is it safe to visit the Christmas lights in Medellin?

The main routes have a strong police and logistics presence, but crowds attract pickpockets. Stay with your group, keep valuables secure and plan your transportation back.

Plan Your December in Medellin

The Alumbrados turn Medellin into one of the most festive cities in Latin America for more than a month. Walking along the river at night, seeing the city glow from a viewpoint and joining the December 7 candles are experiences that are hard to find anywhere else.

If you are traveling with friends or family, organizing transportation, accommodation and reservations before you arrive makes the whole season easier to enjoy.

Medellin Crew can help you plan a December trip around the Christmas lights, with transportation, villas and experiences arranged for your group.