Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Noche de las Velitas


A boy carefully lights candles on a sidewalk. 

The Noche de las Velitas, or Night of the Little Candles, is an annual celebration observed only in Colombia, in which people light candles and lanterns in the streets. It marks the beginning of Christmas.

In Bogotá, La Candelaria, the city's historical center, is the center of the celebration.


Colored lanterns decorate a sidewalk. 

A girl lights a candle on the edge of the fountain in La Plaza del Chorro. 

The Callejon de las Brujas, off La Plaza del Chorro. 

Lanterns and lights in the Callejon del Embudo. 


The Noche de las Velitas is also an occasion for visiting neighbors and socializing in the streets. 

Lighting candles on a windowsill. 

La Plaza del Chorro, where Bogota was founded. 
A girl lights a candle from a torch in La Plaza del Chorro. 


Kids, and adults, dance around a bonfire.

These kids went a little far on the Night of the Candles. 



In the Callejon del Embudo. 

A pretty lady lantern. 





A theatre and a hotel lit up on Calle 10. 

Leave a candle in the window. 
By Mike Ceaser, of Bogotá Bike Tours

No comments: