Novenas in Bogotá: A Tradition That Beats in December
In Bogotá, December doesn't just bring lights and gifts. It brings prayers, Christmas carols, and the smell of buñuelos mixing with the cold night air. Novenas, those nine days of spiritual preparation before Christmas, are here more than a religious custom: they are the heartbeat of entire neighborhoods, the perfect excuse for neighbors who barely greet each other during the year to share hot chocolate and sing in unison. In 2025, this tradition renews itself with the same strength as always, inviting both those who carry it in their blood and those who want to discover it for the first time.
Top 4 Places for Traditional Novenas in Bogotá
1. Primada Cathedral of Colombia
Location: Carrera 7 #10-80, Plaza de Bolívar, La Candelaria.
2025 Novena schedules: According to the Archdiocese of Bogotá: The inaugural concert is on December 16 at 6:00 p.m. From December 16 to 20, masses and novenas at 7:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. On December 21 (Sunday), Eucharists at 8:00 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 12:00 p.m., 1:00 p.m., 6:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., with novenas at various times. On December 22, Eucharist at 6:00 p.m. followed by novena. On December 23, novena after the 6:00 p.m. Eucharist. On December 24, novena at 6:30 p.m. followed by Solemn Mass at 7:00 p.m. For daily details, check the official temporary schedule.
For December 2026: The official schedule has not been published yet. It's recommended to check official sites like arquibogota.org.co from November 2026 for updates.
Cost: Free admission.
Experience: In 2025, tradition feels monumental. On December 16, in addition to the inaugural concert at 6:00 p.m. at the Cathedral, the 'Novena por Bogotá' was held at Movistar Arena, a solidarity event organized by the Mayor's Office of Bogotá in alliance with the Food Bank, featuring the Bogotá Philharmonic Orchestra, Los 50 de Joselito and V de Vinilo, according to the official program. Additionally, the Mayor's Office organizes activities like the living nativity scene and carols from December 16 to 24, and video mapping shows. Arrive early if you want a good spot. For 2026, special events will be announced closer to the date.
2. Paloquemao Market Square
Location: Avenida 19 #25-04, Paloquemao.
2025 Novena schedules: December 16 to 24, 7:30 PM (in the flower section).
Cost: Free admission.
Experience: Less church, more community. Among flower stalls that are closing for the day, merchants and neighbors form a circle with plastic chairs. The novena here is sung at the top of one's lungs, interrupted by laughter and offerings of homemade natilla. Perfect for singles or families who prefer the spontaneous and warm over the formal. Afterwards, you can buy candles for your own novena.
3. San Francisco Church
Location: Avenida Jiménez #7-50, Downtown.
2025 Novena schedules: December 16 to 24, 6:30 PM.
Cost: Free admission.
Experience: The perfect balance. Less crowded than the Cathedral but equally historic (it's one of the city's oldest). Its acoustics make the Christmas carols sound especially sweet. Many entire families attend here, generation after generation. After the novena, people stay in the atrium sharing the buñuelos sold outside.
4. Parque de los Novios (Lovers' Park)
Location: Calle 63 #45-10, La Soledad neighborhood.
2025 Novena schedules: December 16 to 24, 7:00 PM (next to the multipurpose court).
Cost: Free admission.
Experience: The neighborhood novena, in all its expression. Organized by the community action board, here children are the protagonists: they read the prayers, pass around the collection plate. It's chaotic, joyful, and real. If you want to see how this tradition is lived away from tourist circuits, this is your place. Bring a folding chair.
Special Novena Events Calendar 2025
- December 16: Opening of the novenas at the Primada Cathedral with the Coro Voces Doradas concert at 6:00 p.m., and the 'Novena por Bogotá' at Movistar Arena, a solidarity event with the Bogotá Philharmonic Orchestra, Los 50 de Joselito and V de Vinilo, according to the Mayor's Office of Bogotá.
- December 17 to 23: Novenas and over 670 free activities as part of 'Navidad es Cultura 2025', according to Caracol Radio and the Secretary of Culture. It included immersive spectacles like 'Una Ciudad Imaginada' in Plaza de Bolívar, concerts in localities, and community events. The 2025 program has concluded.
- December 24: Last novena and Solemn Mass at the Primada Cathedral starting at 6:30 p.m.
For 2026, special events will be announced closer to the date, typically from November. Check the official program of the Mayor's Office of Bogotá and the Archdiocese of Bogotá.
Novenas in Iconic Neighborhoods
In La Candelaria, novenas are a community tradition, with events like 'Magic Novenas' from December 20 to 23, 2025, according to the official program of the Mayor's Office. For 2026, there's no official information yet. In Usaquén, the Santa Ana Parish on Calle 119 usually organizes novenas, but for 2026, it's recommended to check local agendas or official sites from November 2026. In Chapinero Alto, the tradition becomes bohemian: some are held in independent cafes, mixing prayer with readings of Christmas poetry.
Tips to Fully Enjoy Novenas in Bogotá
- Dress in layers: Bogotá December nights are cold, but inside churches or among crowds it can get warm. A coat you can remove is key.
- Arrive early: At the most popular places, people begin gathering 30 minutes before. It's part of the experience: watching the space fill up.
- Participate, even if you're not religious: Singing the Christmas carols, even if you don't know all the words, or helping pass around the novena leaflets, is the best way to feel part of it.
- Try what's offered: After the novena, there's almost always someone handing out natilla, buñuelos, or chocolate. Accepting is a gesture of community.
- For families with children: Look for novenas in parks or special children's novenas. Children's attention lasts longer if there are visual elements.
- For singles or solo visitors: Novenas in market squares or parks are more informal and easier for starting conversations. A simple 'could you pass me the novena leaflet?' can start a Christmas friendship.
Frequently Asked Questions about Novenas in Bogotá
What exactly is a novena?
The novena is a Catholic tradition consisting of nine days of prayer and spiritual preparation before Christmas. In Bogotá, it's celebrated from December 16 to 24 and combines prayers, Christmas carols, and sharing typical foods like natilla and buñuelos.
Do I need to be religious to attend?
Not at all! Many people attend for the cultural experience, the music, and the community atmosphere. Novenas are an excellent way to learn about local traditions and connect with people.
What should I bring?
Warm clothing (but in layers), an open attitude, and if you want, something to share. In many places you'll be offered food, but you can also bring your own buñuelos or chocolate to share.
Are novenas in Bogotá safe?
The places mentioned in this guide are safe and have organization. For the 2025-2026 season, the Mayor's Office of Bogotá and the National Police have activated comprehensive security and mobility plans. It's recommended to pay attention to local instructions during events. As with any public event, it's advisable to keep an eye on your belongings, use public transportation, and avoid crowded areas without company.
Can I bring children?
Absolutely! Novenas are family events par excellence. Look for special children's novenas or those held in parks, where little ones can move more freely.
Novenas in Bogotá are, ultimately, a reminder that Christmas here still beats in the streets, not just in shopping malls. They are nine days to slow down, to look into the eyes of the person next to you while singing 'Come to Our Souls,' to feel the sweet weight of a tradition that, against all odds, is still alive and kicking. In 2025-2026, the city awaits you with printed prayers, lit candles, and the certainty that, during these nights, we are all a little more neighborly.
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