December camps in Medellín are a different animal from summer camps. The break is shorter for some families and longer for others. It depends almost entirely on your school’s calendar. Plus, the whole city slows down for the holidays. So before you start messaging programs, it helps to know how the fin de año break actually works here.
This post covers the school calendars, the timing traps, and the December camps in Medellín I’ve found so far. Then the full list, with contacts and WhatsApp numbers, lives in a free guide you can get by email.
A quick note before you dive in. This is the start of a list, not the final version. I’ve reached out to programs that ran in the summer, and some haven’t put together their December plans yet. They’ll let me know when they do. So I’ll keep adding to it as things come in. Think of it as a live document. I hope it helps!
How the Fin de Año Break Works in Medellín
In the US, winter break is about two weeks. But here, “vacaciones de fin de año” can mean anything from three weeks to more than two months. That’s because Colombian schools run on two different calendars.
Calendario A vs. Calendario B
Calendario A follows the calendar year. Classes start in late January or early February and end in late November or early December. Almost all public schools and a big share of private schools use it. For these families, December is summer vacation. It’s the end of the school year, and the break runs until classes start again in late January.
Calendario B follows the US and European school year. Classes start in August or September and end in June. Most international schools use it, along with some bilingual schools. For these families, December is a mid-year break. It usually starts around mid December and ends in the second or third week of January.
So the short version: Calendario A finishes first. Kids on Calendario A are often out by late November, while kids on Calendario B are still in class until mid December.
Public Schools Run Later in 2026
Still, there’s one wrinkle this year. Medellín’s official calendar for public schools has classes running until December 6, 2026, with student vacation from December 7. That’s later than many private Calendario A schools, which often wrap up in November. So check your own school’s calendar. Each private school sets its own dates within the rules.
School calendars at a glance
Calendario A (private): usually done by late November. Back in late January or early February.
Calendario A (public, Medellín 2026): classes end December 6. Vacation starts December 7.
Calendario B (most international schools): break starts around mid December. Back in the second or third week of January.
Pro tip: write your last day of classes and first day back on paper before you look at a single camp.
Why December Camps in Medellín Don’t Fit Every School
Here’s the catch for international school families. Most December camps in Medellín follow Calendario A, so many start the last week of November. But if your kids are on Calendario B, they’re probably still in school then. Some international schools don’t start Christmas vacation until mid December. So by the time your kids are free, many programs are already in their last week, or done.
So what can you do? Look for a program’s last week, single classes, or afternoon sessions that fit around school. Also look for “a domicilio” options, which come to your home, building or pool. They’re more flexible on dates, and easier if you have more than one kid.
The January Gap: Plan for Nothing
This is the big one, so I’m putting it in bold. It is very unlikely you’ll find activities for kids in January after New Year’s.
Most December programs end before Christmas. Then the city goes quiet. Businesses close or run short hours, and teachers and coaches take their own vacations. After that, things don’t really get back into a groove until the second or third week of January. Even then, it’s slow.
Also, January 11, 2027 is a festivo (Día de los Reyes Magos). So the first full working week of the year for a lot of people won’t start until January 12.
If your kids are on Calendario A, that means a long stretch at home. You might have six weeks or more with no structured activities. So plan for it now:
- Line up a family trip, or decide you’re staying put and plan days out.
- Book a few things on your own, like a park day or a museum visit, before everything closes.
- If you work, talk to your team about the gap early. December and January is when it hits hardest.
How We Handle the Gap
We have childcare help during vacations, which makes it easier. Still, I try to switch it up and plan a half-day outing, either with friends or something we can do together. That depends on my work schedule. Thankfully, my work is fairly flexible and project based, so I work later after the kids go to bed. Museums are great for this, because they’re usually reliably open. So are picnic days where the kids can ride bikes or rollerblade, just to switch it up. One tip: Google business hours are not always accurate. So I check their Instagram or message them directly first. Otherwise you do the whole runaround, only to figure out a plan B on the fly.
Colombians Take December Seriously
This is biased, based on my childhood experience and now living here. But Colombians are big on taking time off in December. Rest and family time come first. Also, everybody seems to do it, and it shows.
A few things back that up. Employers here have to pay the prima, a mid-year and year-end bonus, and the December payment is due by December 20. December 8 and December 25 are festivos, then January 1 and the Reyes Magos holiday follow right after. Plus, lots of families travel to the coast, to the finca, or to see family in other cities.
So if a program, a contractor, or an office goes quiet on you in late December, it’s not personal. It’s just how the season works. Then once you lean into it, it’s a nice break for you too!
December Camps in Medellín on the List So Far
Here’s what’s on the list right now. Prices are in COP and are what programs shared with me. Confirm everything on WhatsApp before you pay, since dates and prices can change. All the information is provided in the guide.
Programs With Dates Confirmed
- EAFIT, Exploradores de la Luz (El Poblado)
- Young Engineers Christmas Camp (El Poblado)
- Jazzdance Winter Dancing (Laureles)
- R2 Outdoor Camp, Los 4 Elementos
- Play Music Kids (Rionegro)
- Kids Land Classes, Christmas Magic Week (Envigado)
- Alianza Francesa intensive (Centro and El Poblado)
Coming Soon
These programs ran earlier in the year and told me their fin de año details are on the way:
- Flik Flak Gymnastics
- Escuela de Artes at Museo El Castillo
- Active Bodytech in Envigado
- Snapology
- Club de Chalanería Asdesilla
Get the full fin de año list. The list above is names only. The full list has the dates, prices, contacts and WhatsApp links, and it keeps growing.
How to Book December Camps in Medellín Without the Back and Forth
A few things that save time:
- Use WhatsApp. Email rarely gets a fast answer here. WhatsApp is how you get prices and registration info.
- Ask about the matrícula. Some programs charge a one-time registration fee on top of the weekly price.
- Watch for early prices. Some programs have a lower price that ends in mid November.
- Know half day vs. full day. Media jornada is usually 8 to 12. Jornada completa usually runs until about 4.
- Ask about transport and food. Some programs include a ruta or lunch, and others expect a lonchera from home.
- Ask who’s watching the water. If there’s a pool, river or waterfall, ask about lifeguards and life jackets.
Then, if your kids don’t speak Spanish yet, ask what happens when they can’t say what they need. A good program will have a real answer.
The full list of screening questions, in English and Spanish, is in the free guide.
Planning Next Year’s Fin de Año Break
If you’re reading this in October or November, you’re right on time. But if you found it later, here’s the timeline to follow next year:
- September: check your school calendar for the last day of classes and the first day back.
- October: December camps in Medellín start posting dates. Follow the ones your kids like.
- Early November: book. Early prices often end mid month, and programs have limited cupos.
- Late November: Calendario A kids are out. Camps start.
- Mid December: Calendario B kids are out. Look for the last week of camps.
- January: plan for no programs until the second or third week.
Also, if you’re new to Medellín, my guide to moving to Medellín with kids covers the first-year basics.
FAQ: December Camps in Medellín
When do schools in Colombia go on vacation in December?
It depends on the calendar. Calendario A schools usually finish in late November or early December. In 2026, Medellín’s public schools end classes on December 6. Calendario B schools usually start their break around mid December.
What is the difference between Calendario A and Calendario B?
The difference is timing. Calendario A runs from late January to late November, like the calendar year. Calendario B runs from August or September to June, like the US school year. Most international schools in Medellín use Calendario B.
Are there camps in Medellín in January?
Almost none, since most December camps in Medellín end before Christmas. After New Year’s, the city stays quiet until the second or third week of January.
How much do December camps cost in Medellín?
It varies a lot. A single class can cost less than COP 50.000, while a full-day week can run close to COP 1.000.000. Many programs also charge a matrícula, so ask. The full list has each program’s prices.
What are vacaciones recreativas?
Vacaciones recreativas are vacation programs for kids, like day camps. You’ll see them in June, July and December. My summer camps guide covers the mid-year version.
Do December camps in Medellín run in English?
Most run in Spanish, but a few, like Kids Land Classes, include English. If your kids don’t speak Spanish yet, ask how the staff will handle it.
Keep Checking Back
This list of December camps in Medellín will keep growing as programs share their dates. So if you know a program that should be on it, DM me @mamainmedellin. I’m always looking for local organizations to support.
Also, if December leaves you with free days, my list of things to do in Medellín with kids has plenty of ideas for the quiet weeks. For something active, the bike classes for kids guide is a good place to start.
For school dates, check the Ministerio de Educación school calendar page and the Secretaría de Educación de Medellín resolutions.
Want the full list and the updates? Sign up and I’ll send it over.
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