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Best winter illumination destinations in South America

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Buenos Aires
Where Tango and Culture Thrive
8.1
The Obelisco was built in 1936 and is now the centre of the holiday light show. A light projection is shown on the monument. Avenues such as Corrientes, Callao and Santa Fe have festive lighting. Each of the 15 comunas in this city has a lit Christmas tree in a plaza or park.
Highlights:
  • 🎭 Tour the grand Teatro Colón and admire its opulence
  • 🎨 Stroll through colorful Caminito Street in La Boca
  • 💃 Watch a passionate tango performance in San Telmo
Medellín
The City of Eternal Spring
7.4
Millions of coloured lights glow along the Medellín River and La Playa Avenue. The route starts at the Pablo Tobón Uribe Theater and passes Bolívar Park. EPM, a public utility of this city, has created the lights since 1967. The lights have been turned off only once, in 1992, during an energy crisis.
Highlights:
  • 🌺 Stroll through the Botanical Garden and its orchid collection
  • 🎨 Explore Comuna 13’s colorful murals and vibrant street art
  • 🚡 Ride the Metrocable to Parque Arví for panoramic views
São Paulo
A vibrant mix of culture and cuisine
8.0
Each year the tree near Ibirapuera Park is opened with fireworks and live shows. Lights frame the lake there and a water and light show runs daily. Avenida Paulista has giant Christmas trees on buildings and free choir performances. Villa de Natal SP at Parque Villa-Lobos has a 65 metre tree and a skating rink.
Highlights:
  • 🎨 Admire street art at colorful Beco do Batman
  • 🌳 Relax in vast green Ibirapuera Park with museums
  • 🚶‍♀️ Walk vibrant Paulista Avenue, heart of São Paulo
Bogotá
Vibrant Culture in the Andean Highlands
7.1
The Jardín Botánico de Bogotá is one of the 35 lighting points in this city. Streets such as Carrera 7a and Calle 10 are lit too. In 2023 the displays used more than 7 million bulbs across 16 localities. Old village plazas in Usaquén and Suba are also lit.
Highlights:
  • 🏘️ Stroll through historic La Candelaria neighborhood
  • 🏛️ Explore the Museo del Oro with pre-Hispanic gold
  • ⛰️ Take in panoramic city views from Mount Monserrate
Gramado
Brazil’s Alpine Escape in the South
7.4
In Rio Grande do Sul in southern Brazil, this town hosts a festival called Natal Luz. A 99 foot magic Christmas tree has over 3,500 ornaments and 2,600 string lights. A floating lights show is part of the Nativitaten at Joaquina Rita Bier Lake. The festival began in 1986 as a small concert.
Highlights:
  • 🍷 Explore wineries and taste local wines
  • 🚣‍♂️ Rent a pedal boat at serene Lago Negro
  • 🏰 Stroll through the enchanting Mini Mundo miniature park
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