Day of the Little Candles | December 7 admin, February 15, 2025February 15, 2025 Have you ever heard about the Day of the Little Candles? This religious day is celebrated across Colombia every year. It happens the day before a public holiday, which recognizes a well-loved saint and marks the start of the festive season. If you’ve ever visited Colombia at this time of year and seen candles lining the streets, this is your chance to find out why! History of Day of the Little Candles In 1854, Pope Pius IX declared that the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary would become a firmly held truth (known as a dogma) in the Roman Catholic church. The Immaculate Conception refers to the belief that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was conceived without original sin. The Feast of the Immaculate Conception began to be observed on December 8, although there were many who were in favor of the idea going back as far as the 11th century! When the Pope made his announcement 170 years ago on December 7, 1854, the people who believed in it rejoiced and lit up the night sky with candles. So, the tradition of lighting candles the night before the Feast of the Immaculate Conception became an annual tradition in Colombia and has only grown in popularity since. Day of the Little Candles is also known as “Immaculate Conception Eve” or Noche de las Velitas (“Night of the Little Candles” in Spanish). Today, people in Colombia continue to celebrate this religious holiday by lighting candles in parks and streets and on their balconies and windows. In the capital of Bogotá, Christmas lights and decorations are also on full display at this time of year – adding to the colorful and festive vibe! How to celebrate the Day of the Little Candles Whether you live in Colombia or want to get into the spirit of Christmas, there are plenty of ways to do this. Light candles or lanterns. Why not light some candles and lanterns on December 7? You can use tea lights or other candles in and around your home. Host family and friends for a meal. If you want to mark the start of Christmas in a special way, cook a meal for your nearest and dearest. This is one of the many ways Colombians celebrate on December 7. Dress up and go dancing. Another popular tradition in Colombia is wearing your finest clothes and dancing with your loved ones. HOME SCIENCE