Navidad in the city

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Christmas in Bogotá

While most Bogotanos escape the city’s cold and rain as soon as their Christmas vacations allow, plenty of holiday cheer awaits those who choose to stay behind.

An obvious starting point for holiday revelers would be a walk through the city’s impressive light displays. The epicenter of Christmas lighting has to be the Parque Nacional. On the edge between downtown and the Chapinero neighborhood, the park fills with spectators every night who come to enjoy the view with family and friends. Bundle up and sip on a hot cup of aromática (herbal tea) or canelazo (a hot drink infused with aguardiente). There are even rides and attractions set up for kids and adults alike.

Christmas in Parque Nacional

Bogotá’s Parque Nacional fills with visitors enjoying bright lights, tasty food and family-oriented fun every night before Christmas.

Other key spots for checking out lights include the Parque de la Independencia (Calle 26 with Carrera 7) and the pedestrians-only portion of Carrera 7 (between Calles 23 and 19).

Bogotá also holds the distinct honor of hosting the “World’s Largest Nativity Scene” in Parque Simón Bolívar. The 18,000 square meter installation holds four Guinness World Records and includes an impressive 300 life-sized human and animal figures in addition to 100 live actors. Tickets are $7,000 pesos before 6 p.m. and $20,000 after 7 p.m.

Of course, no Colombian holiday would be complete without some special gastronomic treats, and Navidad just isn’t ‘Feliz’ without trying natilla and buñuelos. Natilla, a special custard made from milk, panela (unprocessed cane sugar), cinnamon and flour or cornstarch is served with cinnamon sprinkled on top and buñuelos on the side. Buñuelos are fluffy pastries made from cheese and flour or cornstarch. The dough is formed into balls and deep fried, resulting in a rich, golden brown.

Natilla

Natilla is a typical Colombian pudding served with cinnamon and usually accompanied with buñuelos.

Bogotanos also famously mark each of the nine days leading up to Christmas with Novena celebrations. Originally consisting of special prayers and carols, Novenas are more typically marked by anything from cocktail parties to massive concerts and celebrations.

Musical and cultural events will be held throughout the city up until December 24 as part of the Novena tradition. The city’s official celebrations will be held in parks in some of Bogotá’s less-touristy neighborhoods, and may not be recommendable for those unfamiliar with the area, but for a full list of holiday events, check out our Agenda calendar.

If you still haven’t finished up Christmas shopping, be sure to make a trip to Corferias for Expoartesanías, a convention of more than 800 artisans from around the nation offering great prices on truly unique pieces of traditional and modern crafts and artwork.

Bogotanos really love their malls, and most major shopping centers also host small concerts and offer free entry to raffles – many of which include cars as the top prize – for customers purchasing goods worth more than a certain amount of money. Besides, malls also boast some of the city’s gaudiest (and sometimes tackiest) light displays.

So if you find yourself in Bogotá during this last week before Christmas, remember that even as the city empties out, the party is just getting started.

 

 

For more ideas on how to celebrate the holiday season in Colombia, keep checking in at www.thecitypaperbogota.com or follow us on twitter at @citypaperbogota!

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