Alumbrados de Medellín Christmas Illuminations

Alumbrados de Medellín Christmas Illuminations is a typical seasonal event in Medellín, Colombia, where the city hangs millions of Christmas lights and hosts light displays and other cultural events. The lights have remained on and around the Medellín River and La Playa Avenue since the 1990s, though the event has grown to encompass over a hundred different spots throughout the city. The lights are planned and funded by Empresas Pblicas de Medelln (EPM), the city's public utilities business, and the festival normally lasts from the beginning of December to the beginning of January.

Alumbrados de Medellín Christmas Illuminations has grown in size each year as a result of its tourist appeal, with increased availability of energy resources and funds, as well as increased participation by local inhabitants. The celebration began on December 7, the Day of the Little Candles, which marks the unofficial start of Colombia's Christmas season. In recent years, however, the lighting has started earlier to meet the rise in tourism. Children under the age of 12 are admitted free to all recreational parks and museums, while admission to the Antioquia Museum is free for everyone during this season.

In the month of December 2012, the Lighting of Medellín was selected among the top ten cities to view holiday lights by the National Geographic website.

Dates: 7 December