Medellin, Colombia’s most extroverted city during the holidays, on Tuesday revealed this year’s Christmas decorations.
The city’s public utilities company, EPM, released photos of what the city’s Christmas hotspots will look like after December 1 when the lights are inaugurated officially.
The Medellin river will this year be covered by a layer of candles and flanked by two rows of illuminated houses. Over the heads of visitors a second layer of star-like Christmas light will shine.
The Cerro Nutibara, the hill lying alongside the river, appears to be less extravagantly lit as in previous years. On the released photo only a massive candle is shown.
La Playa, one of the main streets in the downtown area of Medellin, also this year will be decorated extensively. One the corner with La Oriental, a massive house-like structure has already been erected, while on La Playa itself, large illuminated arches are being constructed.
Apart from the main attractions on La Playa and alongside the river, the city’s dozens of parks will be decorated.
According to EPM, some 27 million Christmas lights spanning 472 miles will be lit. Total cost of the operation: $9 million.
The city expects tens of thousands of locals and tourists to visit the “alumbrados” every day.