Noche de las Velitas/Night of the Candles

La Noche de las Velitas, or the Night of the Candles, is Colombia's annual celebration of the Immaculate Conception. The event marks the start of the Christmas celebration - even tho Christmas decorations have been up in Bogotá parks and plazas since October.

In Bogotá, La Noche de las Velitas is most famously celebrated in the La Candelaria neighborhood, and you'll find the most candles burning along historic 10th Street.

The scene on 10th St. 

On the annual Noche de las Velitas neighbors turn out to socialize on the street. And some of the old republican and colonial homes open their doors and their residents set candles in the doorways.

Carfully lighting candles. 

In the Callejon del Embudo

Celebrating the Virgin. Most of the plastic and paper candleshades used advertised beers. 

On the Plaza del Chorro.

A bucketfull of candles. 

Colorful candleshades

By Mike Ceaser, of Bogotá Bike Tours