Medellín in December is not just a city, it's a dream lit up. When night falls, the streets transform into rivers of light flowing between mountains, and the air fills with that special murmur that only exists when thousands of people go out to walk together, looking up, with mouths slightly open and eyes shining like the lights themselves. Medellín's Christmas Lighting is not a decoration, it's a collective experience, an urban ritual that turns the city into the perfect stage for new stories, whether you write them alone or accompanied.
Recommended Light Routes by Neighborhood
To navigate this sea of lights, we propose three routes with their own soul. Each has its rhythm, its people, and its magic.
1. The River Route: Avenida La Playa and the Park of Lights
Recommended schedule: From 6:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Location: Downtown Medellín, from Parque Berrío to the Park of Lights
Address: Avenida La Playa, Centro, Medellín
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
Website: www.medellin.gov.co
This is the heart of the show. Start at Parque Berrío and follow Avenida La Playa, which during December stops being a road to become a pedestrian walkway flooded with families, tourists, and couples. The figures here are monumental, with themes that change each year. The highlight is the Park of Lights, where hundreds of light bulbs hang creating a bright canopy. It's safe, full of people, and has police presence. Perfect for a first immersion.
2. The Romantic Route: Poblado and the Zona Rosa
Recommended schedule: From 8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Location: El Poblado, Medellín
Address: Calle 10 and Carrera 37A, El Poblado
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
Website: www.elpoblado.medellin.gov.co
For a more intimate and sophisticated atmosphere, explore El Poblado. Streets like Calle 10 and Carrera 37A dress up with garlands and modern designs. Here the lights are more discreet, elegant, illuminating the terraces of cafes and restaurants. It's a safe area to walk at night, ideal for dinner followed by a stroll. End at Parque Lleras, which although bustling, has charming corners.
3. The Local Route: Laureles and the Stadium
Recommended schedule: From 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Location: Laureles, Medellín
Address: Circunvalar and Carrera 70, Laureles
Google Maps: View on Google Maps
Website: www.laureles.medellin.gov.co
If you want to escape tourist crowds and see how Medellín residents live Christmas, go to Laureles. Circunvalar and Carrera 70 light up with a family and sports spirit, often with motifs related to Atlético Nacional. The area around Estadio Atanasio Girardot is wide, well-lit, and very safe. Here the experience is more authentic, less spectacle and more neighborhood.
Plans for Singles and Couples
Christmas in Medellín has space for all states of the heart.
For Singles: Seeking Connections Under the Lights
Don't come alone, come to connect. Guided tours of the lighting are an excellent option. Groups of 10 to 15 people walk together, with a guide telling city stories. It's natural to strike up conversation. Another idea: join an outdoor salsa class that they often hold in lit parks. Dancing is a universal language, and in December, the dance floor is under the stars and spotlights. Dating apps for travelers also organize group "light-watching." The key is to see the lights, but also to see the person next to you.
For Couples: Creating Bright Memories
Turn the stroll into a date. Start with a hot chocolate santafereño in a downtown café, then take a taxi to the Park of Lights for the obligatory photo. For something more unique, book a chiva (typical bus) decorated with lights. They tour the city singing Christmas carols, it's chaotic, joyful, and unforgettable. Or plan a nighttime picnic at Mirador de las Palmas (accessible by taxi), with the illuminated city at your feet. It's not just about seeing, it's about feeling together.
Transportation, Safety, and Budget Tips
Transportation: The metro and metrobús are your best allies. A Cívica card costs around $5,000 COP and each trip about $2,500 COP. To get downtown, get off at the Parque Berrío station. For Poblado, the station is Poblado. Avoid driving; pedestrian streets and traffic make it impossible. Taxis are safe and a ride within the city ranges from $15,000 to $25,000 COP. Use apps like Uber or Didi for greater peace of mind.
Safety: Stay in well-lit and populated areas. Downtown (La Playa, Park of Lights) is safe during lighting hours due to high attendance. Poblado and Laureles are safe residential neighborhoods. As in any big city, be careful with your belongings in crowds. Don't show off valuables. Tourist police (with blue vests) are there to help you.
Budget: Enjoying the lights is free. Your main expense will be transportation and food. A full day/night (transportation, a meal, a snack) can cost between $50,000 and $100,000 COP per person, depending on whether you eat at a restaurant or at a street stall.
Events and Christmas Markets Guide
The lights are the backdrop, but on stage there's much more.
- Around the Park of Lights stalls are set up selling buñuelos, natilla, caramel apples, and chocolate. It's the flavor of Paisa Christmas.
- In El Poblado Park they usually set up a small artisan fair with handmade Christmas decorations, unique gifts to take home.
- Musical events: Look for Christmas carol concerts at Plazoleta de la Verdad, in front of the Church of La Veracruz. They're outdoors and transmit incredible peace.
- For the more adventurous, Mirador de las Palmas has, some years, a small nighttime market on weekends. The panoramic view of the illuminated city is worth the taxi ride.
Frequently Asked Questions about Medellín's Christmas Lighting
When does Medellín's Christmas lighting start and end?
Medellín's Christmas lighting generally begins in late November and extends until early January of the following year.
Is it safe to visit Medellín's Christmas lighting?
Yes, the main lighting areas like downtown, El Poblado, and Laureles are safe during established hours, with police presence and high attendance.
What is the best time to visit the lights?
It depends on the route: The River Route (6:30-9:00 p.m.), The Romantic Route (8:00-11:00 p.m.), and The Local Route (7:00-10:00 p.m.).
Are there guided tours available?
Yes, there are guided tours of the lighting that are excellent for singles and small groups who want to learn city stories while enjoying the lights.
What should I bring to enjoy the lighting?
Comfortable clothes, walking shoes, a light jacket (nights can be cool), camera or phone for photos, and cash to buy Christmas snacks.
Medellín at Christmas welcomes you with open arms and open lights. Whether you come seeking the romance of a new partner, connection with new friends, or simply the wonder of a child in front of a giant tree, there's a path of light for you here. You just have to start walking it.
Share these light routes with whoever is going to Medellín for Christmas.