You might already know that Monserrate hill is one of the Bogotá hotspots. However, it becomes a true must-go every Christmas season when it’s full of lights. It literally shines!
When I came to Bogotá in 2009 with my family to spend the Christmas holiday, we decided to take a Christmas Lights tour. One of the main attractions of this activity was visiting Monserrate, which has been lit up completely since 2001 (before that, just the temple was illuminated). We had already been there during daytime, but we were sure it wasn’t the same.
We were right. It was completely different and completely amazing. For that reason, since I arrived here in 2014, I try to visit Monserrate each December. Every year, Christmas lights take over every corner and it’s simply magical. If you haven’t had the experience, I truly recommend it to you. Here are some great activities that will be there this year that you can’t miss!
Inauguration Day
Do you want to know an easy way to get into the Christmas vibe? You can do it by attending this event!
The inauguration of the Christmas lighting on the Monserrate hill will be on December 1, 2018. It starts at 6:30 p.m. with the performance of the Banda Sinfónica Salesiana del Niño Jesús (Salesian Symphonic Band of the Child Jesus). At 7:00 p.m., there will be a fireworks show and everything will light up!
This year’s lighting concept will be the singing of the angels and it will last until January 12, 2019. If you don’t want to miss the inauguration, here’s a tip: arrive at 5 p.m. or so because that day Monserrate receives more visitors than usual and it might get a bit crowded.
Celebrating Velitas
You might already know that Día de las Velitas (Day of the Little Candles) is celebrated on December 7. That day, there will be a Marian ceremony -focused on Virgin Mary- and a chorus of the Música en Los Templos (Music at the Temples) foundation at Monserrate. If you want to connect with the religious side of this season, this is a good way to do it.
Novenas
These Catholic gatherings are a tradition in Colombia. If you have the chance to attend one at Monserrate, you will be at the heart of Christmas in Bogotá! From December 16 to 23, 2019, the Novena will start at 6:00 p.m. every day. There will be music and, again, the beautiful lighting of Monserrate. The first day of Novena, it will be a fireworks show too.
About schedule and tickets:
Cableway:
- Monday to Saturday: 12:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
- Sunday: 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Funicular:
- Monday to Friday: 6:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.
- Saturday: 6:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
- Sunday: 5:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
- Holidays: 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Cost (Roundtrip):
From Monday to Saturday: $20.000 COP
On Sunday: $12.000 COP
From December 16 to December 23, 2018: $12.000 COP (only if you buy it between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m.).
Are you eager to see Monserrate all lit up as much as I am? Let me know when you are planning to go! Have you already seen it like this? Tell me about your experience in the comments section below!
Keep visiting Colture for more information on other nice places to visit if you spend Christmas in Bogotá!
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Sources: Cerro Monserrate, El Tiempo.
