Medellín is popular for its colorful and light-filled Decembers. During Christmas, the city is full of decorations and ornaments that create a cozy and emotional atmosphere. One of the most characteristic dates of this season is La Alborada , which occurs at midnight on December 1th at 12:00am or November 30 at 11:50pm to be more specific, welcoming the start of December. However, the origin of this celebration is darker than you imagine.
What is La Alborada?
La Alborada is a night to receive the month of December, and people do it with guns and fireworks which typically last for about an hour. This also marks the beginning of Christmas, and it is impressive to see how so many fireworks light up the sky at night. This tradition is not only carried out in Medellín but also in other municipalities of Antioquia and cities in Colombia. In general, it is a celebration that is carried out with great joy and emotion, and even it has become a family recreation.
However, this is not a tradition that was born as an entertainment designed for the family, but rather its origin is related to drug trafficking and terrorism, two things for which this city suffered so much in the past.
How Did La Alborada get Started in Colombia
Twenty years ago, Medellín was still a city where drug trafficking and narcoterrorism had power. On the night of November 30th, 2003, the drug trafficker Diego Fernando Bejarano Murillo, alias Don Berna, and his block Cacique Nutibara, decided to move from Medellín after the agreements made with the government at that time and former president Álvaro Uribe Vélez.
Despite the mobilization, as a sign that they still had possession over the city, they made an explosion of gunpowder and fireworks that lasted many minutes. Similar to how La Alborada is carried out today.
Of course, nowadays the families that celebrate this tradition probably do so without knowing the true origin of this date or have forgotten it, but it is still a sad episode for the history of this beautiful city.
Consequences of La Alborada
As entertaining as it can be to watch the fireworks at night, after La Alborada there are always consequences. The large amount of fireworks stuns the animals to the point where they can die, as this causes nervous breakdowns and alters their heart rate.
The use of fireworks is also a threat to children who dare to participate, even under adult supervision. Besides from the noise pollution, gunpowder can also cause asthma attacks or crisis in people with allergies.
Is La Alborada Celebrated Outside Medellin?
Even if you are not part of this celebration, it is inevitable to witness it, either because of the fireworks that invade the sky or the noise that is impossible to ignore. Whether or not you want to be part of it, it is recommended to take precautions especially if you live with children or pets, who are the most vulnerable during this night. By taking precautions you will be able to receive the month of December without accidents and you will get to experience La Alborada without major problems.
Although Medellín is known as the center of La Alborada, the celebration is not exclusive to Medellín. Over the years, the tradition has spread to other municipalities in Antioquia and even to major cities across Colombia. However, it is important to note that while the celebration exists in other places, the scale, intensity, and cultural meaning remain strongest in Medellín and the Aburrá Valley.
Here is a quick overview of where La Alborada is observed in Colombia:
| Location | Type of Participation | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Medellín (Aburrá Valley: Bello, Envigado, Itagüí, Sabaneta, Copacabana) | Very High | Epicenter. Entire valley erupts, recognized as cultural tradition, city-wide spectacle. |
| Rionegro, La Ceja, Marinilla (Eastern Antioquia) | High | Increasing participation, community fireworks, mostly celebratory without historical context. |
| Cali | Moderate | Fireworks occur, but without cultural roots—more of a copied tradition. |
| Bogotá | Low to Moderate | Limited fireworks, mostly in peripheral neighborhoods—less recognized as a tradition. |
| Pereira / Manizales (Coffee Region) | Moderate | Local celebrations, but more tied to Christmas season than La Alborada specifically. |
| Barranquilla / Cartagena | Low | Some fireworks, but not widely recognized or named “La Alborada.” |
| Bucaramanga / Cúcuta | Low | Sporadic fireworks, mostly early Christmas celebration, not tied to history. |
| Small towns across Colombia | Low to Moderate | Occasional fireworks but no cultural significance associated with La Alborada. |
How Paisas See La Alborada Today
Although La Alborada began as a display of power by demobilized armed groups, many paisas; especially younger generations, no longer associate it with violence or drug trafficking. In local schools, students learn that the tradition started with narcos, but they are also taught how society transformed it.
Today, for many families, La Alborada represents:
- The arrival of the Christmas season
- A night of fireworks and city-wide celebration
- A moment to gather with family, neighbors, and friends
- A cultural tradition, not a violent one
As one local put it,
“Sí empezó con narcos muchos años atrás, pero ahora lo celebran las familias y disfrutan sin violencia.”
This shift doesn’t erase the past, it shows how Medellín reclaimed and redefined a tradition, turning something born from fear into something tied to joy, lights, and emotional connection.
