Guatapé in December: Christmas lights, candle night, the 8 December weekend and New Year on the lake

December is the best month to visit Guatapé and also the busiest. Three things line up: dry weather with clear skies, the year-end festivities that Antioquia celebrates like no other region of Colombia, and a holiday week that fills the town and the reservoir.

This guide covers what happens in Guatapé in December, date by date, what the weather is like and when to book so you do not miss out on a villa.

The dates that matter in December

Date	What happens	How it feels in Guatapé
From late November	Medellín's Christmas lights switch on	The perfect excuse to pair one night in the city with two on the lake
5 to 8 December	Immaculate Conception long weekend (Tuesday the 8th is a holiday)	The season's first long weekend; the town fills up
7 December	Candle night, "noche de las velitas"	Lanterns and candles on balconies, zócalos and along the waterfront; at Atma, candles on the lakeside decks
16 to 24 December	The "novenas", nine nights of carols and prayers	Buñuelos, natilla and family gatherings, often held at a country house or villa
24 and 25 December	Christmas Eve and Christmas Day	A long dinner, fireworks far away over the reservoir
31 December and 1 January	New Year	The most booked night of the year; sunrise over the water on the 1st is the reward

The lights: Medellín and the town

Medellín's "alumbrados" are Colombia's best-known Christmas tradition: millions of bulbs along the river and in the city's parks from late November into January. Guatapé is an hour and a half away, so the classic plan is to see the lights one evening in Medellín and continue to the lake the next day.

The town has its own lights, smaller and more intimate: the main square, Calle del Recuerdo and the waterfront light up, and the colourful zócalos take on a different face at night. A walk along the lit waterfront after dinner is one of December's most photographed moments.

Candle night on the reservoir

On 7 December, as night falls, Colombia lights candles and paper lanterns on doorsteps, balconies and pavements. In Guatapé it happens along the waterfront and in the zócalo streets, with whole families sitting outside. At Atma Villas we celebrate it on the water: candles on the decks, soft music and the lights reflected on the reservoir. If you come for the 8 December weekend, this is the night you will remember.

The weather in December

December opens the dry season. Mornings dawn clear, a breeze picks up over the reservoir in the afternoon and sunsets stretch out. Daytime stays between 18 and 24 °C and nights drop to 12 to 14 °C, so an outdoor hot jacuzzi makes complete sense. It is the best month to climb El Peñol rock with full visibility; our Guatapé weather guide covers the whole year.

When to book

The nights of the 8 December weekend, 24 to 26 December and 30 December to 2 January sell out first. Villas with a jacuzzi and lake view are typically booked three to six weeks ahead for those dates. If your dates are flexible, two tricks help:

1. A weekday before 20 December: the town is still quiet, the lights are already on and rates are lower than on the long weekends.
2. The first week of January: after 2 January the reservoir empties, the weather stays dry and it is the best value of the whole season.

Booking directly on atmavillas.com includes brunch, the boat transfer from Marina Navegar and an Atma welcome cocktail, with the best rate guaranteed.

Things to do in Guatapé in December

• Climb El Peñol rock early, before 10 am, when there is no queue and the sky is clean. Details in the rock guide.
• Walk the town at night along the lit waterfront and the Plazoleta de los Zócalos.
• Go out by boat in the morning, when the water is still.
• Eat in town: trout, bandeja paisa and, in December, buñuelos and natilla on every corner.
• A lakeside dinner at the villa, arranged over WhatsApp before you arrive.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is December a good time to visit Guatapé?

Yes. It is the driest month of the year, the Christmas lights are on and the year-end festivities are in full swing. The only downside is demand: book weeks ahead for the long weekends and the holidays.

When are the Christmas lights on in Guatapé?

The town switches on its lights in early December and keeps them up until after 6 January. Medellín's lights, an hour and a half away, are on from late November.

What happens on 7 December in Guatapé?

It is candle night: candles and lanterns on balconies, zócalos and along the waterfront. At Atma Villas they are lit on the decks facing the reservoir.

What is the weather like in Guatapé in December?

Dry and clear, 18 to 24 °C by day and 12 to 14 °C at night. It is the best month for the view from El Peñol rock.

How far ahead should I book for New Year?

Three to six weeks for 31 December and the 8 December weekend. Weekdays before 20 December usually have availability at shorter notice.