Because of its attraction to tourists, the event has gotten bigger each year, with a widening availability of energy resources and budgets, and increasing participation by local citizens.

[1] The ceremony traditionally began on 7 December, the Day of the Little Candles and the unofficial start to the Christmas season in Colombia.

The main route of lighting starts at the Pablo Tobon Uribe Theater, down La Playa to Bolívar Park.

[8] The first public lighting for Christmas in Medellín took place in 1851 at Plaza Mayor, which today is the location of a large convention center.

For the holiday season, part of the city was modestly adorned with special lights jointly contributed by EPM, the government, and the press.

[10] By 1967, EPM assumed the role as the creative team for the city's lights each year, and therefore decided their design, installation, and costs.

For the Christmas season, the fountain was adorned with sophisticated multimedia effects for color, water movement, and sound.

The manager of EPM, Federico Restrepo said that the lights would "highlight Christmas customs and traditions" of the communes and districts.

In five segments, the video played the history of the construction of the cathedral, the evolution of transportation in Medellin, as well as its art, culture, architecture, wealth of natural resources, and major Christmas attractions.

EPM received 1,555 responses, which predominately featured three concepts: fairy tales, magic worlds, and personal values that can create an equal and peaceful society.

Interactive, remote views of the river will be available for tablets, desktops, smart phones, and public kiosks located in malls in Oviedo, Puerta del Norte, Unicentro, Explora Park, Viva Laureles, Florida and Premium Plaza.