New Year's Eve in Medellín is celebrated with family and out in the streets: a late dinner, lucky rituals at midnight and a whole month of traditions that kicks off with the alborada on December 1. If you are visiting, your best bet is to book dinner in El Poblado or Provenza, learn the local customs and watch 2027 arrive from somewhere high and safe.
A paisa December, step by step
The alborada (midnight, November 30)
At midnight on November 30, Medellín welcomes December with about an hour of fireworks. The custom is recent, dating to the early 2000s, and it divides the city: many see it as the start of Christmas, while others object to the noise, the injuries and the harm to animals.
Día de las Velitas (December 7)
On the night of December 7, families light candles and paper lanterns on sidewalks and streets in honor of the Immaculate Conception. For many Colombians, this night marks the start of Christmas.
The Christmas lights
From late November, EPM lights up the river, downtown and neighborhood parks. In 2025 the lights went on November 28. We cover them in detail in our article on Medellín's Christmas lights for 2026.
The novena (December 16 to 24)
For nine nights, families, neighbors and friends gather to pray the novena de aguinaldos, sing carols and share natilla and buñuelos, the season's classic treats. It is a Catholic tradition dating to the 18th century, and it comes with gift games such as "pajita en boca" or "el sí y el no."
Lucky rituals for midnight on the 31st
In Colombia, midnight on December 31 comes with rituals meant to bring good luck. The most common:
- Twelve grapes: one for each month, each with a wish.
- The suitcase: walk around the block with a suitcase to travel in the new year.
- Lentils in your pocket: so money never runs short.
- Yellow underwear: for good luck.
- The año viejo: a dummy dressed in old clothes, burned to let go of what you want to leave behind.
Fireworks: what the rules say
Fireworks are still part of December, but authorities urge people not to handle them. Medellín's city government runs the "Medellín es antipólvora" campaign. According to the city's health department, in December 2024 about 48% of those injured were only watching, and 18% were not involved at all. The highest-risk dates are December 7, 25 and 31 and January 1.
- Colombia's Law 2224 of 2022 regulates how fireworks are made, transported, stored and sold, with fines of 100 to 300 monthly minimum wages for anyone who endangers other people's lives or property.
- Public fireworks displays require a permit from the city.
- Fireworks sales or use can be reported by calling 123.
Our advice: watch from a distance and from somewhere high, not from the street.
What to do on December 31 in El Poblado and Provenza
Dinner
The 31st is a night for a long dinner. Provenza has some of the city's best tables a few steps from Haven: Carmen and X.O. one minute away, Mar y Fuego two, Sambombi six. Book early and confirm hours for the 31st, which often change that night.
After midnight
- Cocktails: Bar Carmen, No. 39 on The World's 50 Best Bars 2026, and Mala Audio Bar, both two blocks or less from the hotel.
- Salsa: Quema Que Quema, on Haven's own street.
- Electronic: Salón Amador, 4 minutes away; check the line-up and buy tickets ahead.
Parque Lleras, a 2-minute walk away, gets packed that night. If you go out, walk, carry only what you need and agree on a meeting point with your group.
January 1
It is a public holiday and the city wakes up slowly. Some places close, including the Museo de Antioquia, which is shut on January 1. It is a good day for specialty coffee on Vía Primavera or a slow day at the hotel.
Year-end at Haven's 360° Rooftop & Restaurant
The 360° Rooftop & Restaurant is on the 11th floor, with a pool and a 360° view of Medellín: a high vantage point to watch the city at night without leaving the hotel. Ask us on WhatsApp at +57 321 209 7033 about New Year's plans. You can also see the rooftop's regular calendar on our events page.
The next morning, check-out is at 11:00 a.m., and the hotel's Wellness offers massages, IV therapy and facial hydration. If you are spending New Year's in Medellín, browse our rooms and suites and check availability and rates for your dates. Find more plans near the hotel in our Medellín guide.
