luminaria

[ loo-muh-nair-ee-uh; Spanish loo-mee-nah-ryah ]

noun

, plural lu·mi·nar·i·as [loo-m, uh, -, nair, -ee-, uh, z, loo-mee-, nah, -, r, yahs].

1. (especially in Mexico and the southwestern U.S.) a Christmas lantern consisting of a lighted candle set in sand inside a paper bag.

Word History and Origins

Origin of luminaria¹

1945–50; < Mexican Spanish, Spanish: any lamp or lantern displayed during a festival < Medieval Latin, Late Latin lūmināria, originally neuter plural of lūmināris lamp; lumen, -ar ¹

Example Sentences

On Christmas Eve, you can get tickets for a 45-minute Luminaria Tour bus ride that traverses decorated streets.

From Los Angeles Times

Fairhaven Winterfest’s clever December holiday twists include a luminaria walk with glowing candles along a wooded path, a lighted-bicycle parade, a block and a chance to win a prize if you spend $50 or more in Fairhaven’s boutiques.

From Seattle Times

Famed locations/events include Kennewick’s Christmas Carol Lane, the one-night Desert Plateau Luminaria and Senske Services’s annual light show, with over half a million twinklers in an animated display nightly.

From Seattle Times

Yet, even games based on major properties like Bandai Namco’s Tales of Luminaria have struggled, shutting down in under six months.

From The Verge

Dec. 10-11, 17-18 Luminaria Nights at the California Botanic Garden lets visitors wander the state’s largest collection of California native plants at night with special holiday lights, live music and food and beverages for purchase from 6 to 9 p.m. at 1500 N. College Ave. in Claremont.

From Los Angeles Times