Day of the Little Candles
| Día de las velitas Little Candles Day or Immaculate Conception Eve | |
|---|---|
| Official name | Day of the Immaculate Conception |
| Observed by | Colombia |
| Type | State and religious |
| Celebrations | Lighting of candles and lanterns |
| Observances | Various religious processions |
| Begins | Sundown December 7 |
| Ends | Sunrise December 8 |
| Date | December 7 |
| Next time | 7 December 2026 |
| Frequency | annual |
| Related to | Christmas in Colombia |
Little Candles Day or Immaculate Conception Eve (Spanish: Día de las velitas) is a widely observed religious holiday in Colombia, celebrated on December 7, the eve of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, which is a public holiday in Colombia. This day is the unofficial start of the Christmas season in the country, although the official day is First Advent Sunday (between November 27 and December 3).
On this night, people place candles and paper lanterns in places where they can be seen, in honor of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary. On December 8 it is not mandatory to work, and it is customary for houses to fly a white flag with the image of the Virgin Mary all day. They also hold numerous events, from fireworks shows to competitions.