Overview
- Observed on 7 December, the Noche/Día de las Velitas marks the start of the Christmas season across several Latin American countries.
- Families illuminate streets, balconies and parks with candles and faroles, and in some communities processions conclude at churches.
- Guides this year highlight folk rituals such as placing yellow or green candles on plates with coins, rice or lentils, burning written wishes with a white candle, taking herbal cleansing baths, and arranging small gratitude altars.
- The custom remains strongest in Colombia and is deeply rooted in Ecuador and Mexico, with reported observances in Venezuela, Panama, Peru and Guatemala.
- Adoption beyond its core countries includes public lightings in Argentina at Buenos Aires’ Obelisk and La Plata’s Cathedral steps, while Colombian migrants in Spain sustain the tradition and even run small businesses selling candles and lanterns.