Share this post:
Popular Posts
Visiting Medellin Recent Posts
Plan Your Trip Recent Posts
Living in Medellin Recent Posts
Greater Antioquia Recent Posts
TLDR? There are many holidays in Colombia and plenty of opportunities to enjoy and celebrate with its people!
Colombia’s a country full of holidays, some of which are big celebrations while others are mostly forgotten. In fact, there are about 18 holidays that make it onto the calendar each year!
Considering that, in Colombia, the Emiliani law governs, that’s a high number! The Emiliani law indicates that when a holiday falls on a working day during the week, it should be moved to Monday, allowing Colombians three-day weekends to rest and travel.
However, four of these holidays are on weekends. And of course, there are a few exceptions such as religious and political holidays that don’t fall within Emiliani’s law.
If you’re in Colombia and this interests you, here’s a guide on how to enjoy the holidays!
In Colombia, the year begins with a holiday! The first of January is a day to recover from the New Year’s Eve celebrations the night before. Many people go on trips on December 31st to properly enjoy this holiday.
Although the three kings’ celebration isn’t as significant in Colombia as in Spain, the tradition remained after the Spanish colonization of this Latin American country. The Día de Reyes Magos stands for the first meeting of baby Jesus by the three wise men and is when kids get to open their Christmas gifts.
However, that’s not usual in Colombia, where kids open their gifts on Christmas eve.
Still, this holiday falls under Emiliani’s law, allowing Colombians to vacation and leave home for a while.
Another religiously oriented holiday, Dia de San Jose celebrates St. Mary’s husband.
In recent years, the holiday gained a new meaning and is now used to honor men in Colombia. As such, it’s become the so-called “Men’s Day”, and is inspired by the celebration of International Women’s Day on March 8th.
Many families, couples, and businesses celebrate men with special attention, dinners, or gifts during this holiday weekend.
As a predominantly Catholic country, many Colombians, although they don’t work or study on these dates, are very involved in religious issues, processions, and Eucharists.
However, other people may take the entire week to get away from the city.
This day commemorates all Colombian workers who help build the country. And, what better way to celebrate than to take a break from work?
This day is sort of like the Colombian equivalent of the United States’ labor day.
On this day, many people prefer to rest. It’s a good day to stay in bed watching the latest Netflix series and movies. Of course, some prefer to go out for fresh air on the city’s outskirts or enjoy other fun activities.
Another Catholic celebration, Ascension Day pertains to the ascension of Jesus to heaven.
It doesn’t include special religious celebrations. Rather, many Colombians take advantage of this date to party, go shopping at a mall, have a delicious dinner, or leave the city for a day or two.
This catholic event celebrates the Eucharist (the body and blood of Jesus Christ). Catholics have a special celebration for it, but otherwise, this day is nothing out of the ordinary.
However, this first holiday in June is a good excuse for various leisure activities. Since it falls during the children’s holiday season from school, families focus on spending time with little ones.
This holiday celebrates God’s love for humanity.
As the second holiday in June, many people take advantage of the fact that they’re on vacation from school, university, and work to leave the city, the country, or stay with friends and family.
This festivity celebrates two Catholic apostles.
It’s the third consecutive holiday weekend. And, just like the previous two, people often take advantage of this day to spend some family time in Parque Arvi or explore some of Medellin’s many other activities.
Catholics will go to mass as they regularly do on Sundays.
Independence Day is a meaningful celebration for Colombians, including those in other countries. July 20th celebrates the country’s independence from Spanish colonization.
The celebration consists of parades of the Colombian military forces, tricolor flags adorning houses and streets, and people wearing the Colombian soccer team’s t-shirt to show patriotism.
After independence day, Colombia celebrates the ending of the war for independence by commemorating Simon Bolivar and all who fought in the freedom wars.
When it falls on a working day, the holiday includes patriotic activities. However, this year it falls on a Sunday, and unfortunately, it’s not under Emiliani law, either!
Another of the many Catholic celebrations, this one refers to the elevation of the mother of Christ to heaven.
Catholics attend events on this date to commemorate the virtues of the Virgin Mary.
If you’re wanting to get out of Medellin and visit Guatape or another town for a weekend, this is a good time to do it. That’s because the next holiday won’t be until October!
Colombia is a country full of different races and cultures.
This day celebrates the mestizos, zambos, mulattos, and black people that make up this country. Colleges and universities hold events, exhibitions, and seminars discussing racial equality and recognition in Colombia.
This holiday celebrates all the Catholic saints and is a day to honor and thank them. For Catholics, it’s an obligation to attend a Eucharist on this date.
Some people prefer to use the holiday to rest, take care of pending tasks, visit their family, go out to eat, or just be lazy and order home delivery.
Cartagena took a little longer to become independent than the rest of Colombia and celebrates its independence on a different date.
As a celebration, this colonial city holds parades as well as the “Miss Colombia” contest.
Traveling there to enjoy the holidays and soak up the city’s culture is a must.
Better known as the day of the candles, December 8th is a day Colombians decorate their houses, streets, and as many places as possible with colored candles, lanterns, and lights.
The day is meant to honor the conception of Jesus Christ.
This day also gives way to the rest of the year-end festivities.
Colombians usually celebrate Christmas on December 24th with all kinds of events: family gatherings, neighborhood parties, barbecues, and bonfires are all a few of the festivities you can enjoy.
The day after, December 25th is a day to enjoy with the children and open gifts. However, Santa Claus isn’t the one that brings presents to Colombia: that’s the work of the Niño Dios, baby Jesus!
Colombia’s a country that loves to party and takes every opportunity to do so. Now you know when and how to join their celebrations!
If you like this blog, you might like the Casacol Instagram page to keep up with all the new articles. Anything we need to update or correct? Care to contribute? Email us at blog@casacol.co.
Feel free to contact us at any time regarding reservations reservas@casacol.co or investment opportunities sales@casacol.co or by visiting listings.casacol.co. Our Allies and Afilliations
© 2012-2023 Casacol SAS, All rights reserved