Veladas

Veladas is a Spanish term used to describe evening gatherings, social events, or cultural activities that take place after sunset. In everyday usage, veladas refer to informal occasions where people come together to talk, listen to music, share performances, or engage in shared activities. The word can also denote a night vigil or a prolonged stay awake for a particular purpose, though the social sense is the most common in contemporary usage.

Etymology and senses: Velada derives from vela, meaning candle, and is historically associated with staying awake through the night, i.e., a vigil. In modern contexts the primary meaning is an organized evening gathering. The term is widely used across Spain and Latin America to describe a range of events that emphasize social interaction, entertainment, or cultural expression.

Activities and formats: Veladas often occur in homes, clubs, schools, or cultural centers and can range from small, intimate meetings to larger public events. Typical activities include conversation, music performances, dancing, poetry readings, storytelling, games, and staged or informal performances. The format is generally informal and can be themed, such as veladas musicales (music evenings), veladas literarias (literary evenings), or veladas folklóricas.

Other uses: In some contexts, especially in sports such as boxing, a velada refers to an evening event featuring bouts, usually serving as a preliminary program before a main competition. Across contexts, veladas contribute to community life by providing spaces for social bonding, cultural exchange, and shared entertainment.