{"id":238870,"date":"2025-11-24T15:10:36","date_gmt":"2025-11-24T13:10:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/visit-latin-america.com\/?p=238870"},"modified":"2025-11-24T15:10:36","modified_gmt":"2025-11-24T13:10:36","slug":"5-events-not-to-miss-in-december-in-latin-america","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/visit-latin-america.com\/en\/5-events-not-to-miss-in-december-in-latin-america\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Events Not to Miss in December in Latin America"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

From the highlands of Guatemala to the lively avenues of S\u00e3o Paulo, December\u2019s festivals and major events offer a unique glimpse into each city\u2019s identity through dance, music, ephemeral art, or sports. Each one has its own atmosphere, ideal for ending the year by discovering traditions deeply rooted in the region. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n

Festival of Lights \u2013 Villa de Leyva,<\/strong> Colombia<\/mark><\/strong> <\/a>(December 7\u20138)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

In Villa de Leyva<\/strong><\/a>, El D\u00eda de las Velitas<\/strong> (Day of the Little Candles<\/em>) takes on a special dimension with the Festival of Lights<\/strong>, a tradition that has endured in the town for decades and marks the beginning of the Christmas season in Colombia. For two nights, residents light up balconies, streets, and squares with lanterns and candles, revealing the colonial architecture under a warm glow. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The main square<\/strong> becomes the heart of the celebration, hosting choirs, local groups, and a fireworks show that attracts thousands of visitors every year. More than a tourist event, it is a collective celebration where devotion, family memory, and community participation come together. Due to the large crowds, it is advisable to book early and arrive ahead of time to enjoy the spectacle from the caf\u00e9s and restaurants surrounding the square. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Fiesta de Santo Tom\u00e1s \u2013 Chichicastenango,<\/strong> Guatemala<\/mark><\/a><\/strong> (December 14\u201323)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The patron saint festival of the \u201cPueblo entre Ortigas<\/strong>\u201d (Village among the Nettles<\/em>) lasts a little over a week, with its highlight on December 21. During this period, religious groups walk through the streets carrying images of Saint Thomas the Apostle, while young men perform the palo volador, descending and spinning from a pole over 30 meters high. Although it evokes the flying ritual of Papantla in Mexico<\/a><\/strong>, here it forms part of a K\u2019iche\u2019-Catholic<\/em> celebration accompanied by marimba<\/a>, traditional dances, and offerings of flowers, candles, fruits, and grains. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Dances such as El Torito<\/em>, Los Mexicanos<\/em>, or El Tzijolaj <\/em>complete the program, while the town\u2019s emblematic market fills with handicrafts, textiles, and typical dishes such as tamales <\/em>and chuchitos<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n
\n
<\/p>\n
\n
<\/div>\n
\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/path><\/g><\/g><\/g><\/svg><\/div>\n
\n
Ver esta publicaci\u00f3n en Instagram<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
\n
\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
<\/div>\n
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Una publicaci\u00f3n compartida por INGUAT (@inguatoficial)<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/blockquote>\n