Monday, 1 December 2025

A Journey Through the Christmas Traditions of Spanish-Speaking Countries

Christmas in the Hispanic World

 

Christmas is a Christian holiday celebrated in many countries around the world to commemorate the birth of Lord Jesus. In Spanish-speaking countries, this festivity is still observed with deep religious devotion and is one of the most anticipated celebrations of the year.

Although in all these countries people sing Christmas carols, families gather to enjoy traditional dishes unique to each region, and many attend Mass, each country has its own distinctive customs.

The start of the Christmas season varies from country to country. In Spain, Christmas begins on December 24th with Christmas Eve (Nochebuena), when families come together to share a festive dinner and then attend Midnight Mass (La Misa de Gallo).

On the night of January 5th, Spaniards celebrate the Three King’s Pared (La Cabalgata de Reyes Magos) with processions featuring beautifully decorated floats. These parades commemorate the journey of the Three Wise Men to Bethlehem to worship the Baby Jesus.

It is worth mentioning that in Spain, children receive their presents from the Three Kings on January 6th, the day on which this festivity is celebrated. It is said that if children behave well, they receive presents, but if they misbehave, they get a piece of coal instead. The three King’s Day is as important as Christmas itself, and families gather to have dinner and enjoy the famous Kings’ Cake (Roscón de Reyes).


Spaniards’ cuisine is quite diverse, and to celebrate Christmas, people enjoy traditional dishes such as roasted lamb, suckling pig, or fish. They also indulge in a wide variety of desserts, including nougat (el turrón) and almod shorbread chookes (los polvorones).

An important element of Christmas in Spanish-speaking countries is the Nativity scene, known as Belén or pesebre, which is a miniature depiction of the birth of Jesus. In many countries, these Nativity displays are beautifully decorated. For example, in Costa Rica, they are adorned with orchids, while in places such as Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia, they often include figures of farm animals like sheep and cows.

In Mexico, the Christmas festivities begin on December 16th with the famous Posadas (Nativity plays). This beautiful tradición recreates the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem. On December 25th, families gather for a large Christmas Eve dinner. During the Posadas, people hold parties with Christmas pinatas that symbolize the struggle against sin.

In Guatemala, Christmas traditions also include Posadas, accompanied by sounds of turtle shells used as instruments. The festivities also feature bright red poinsettia flowers and the lighting of the Arbol Gallo, a giant Christmas tree sponsored by the Galo Brewery, which has become a symbol of Guatemalan identity.

In Honduras, as in all Central American countries, Christmas is celebrated with family, blending religious traditions with cultural festivities. Posadas are also held, and people take part in “el Cuchumbo”, a fun exchange of surprise gifts among friends and family.

Christmas carols (los villancicos) are a hallmark of the season throughout the Spanish-speaking world. In Puerto Rico, groups of young people go from house to house singing carols around Nativity scenes. In the Dominican Republic, Christmas serenades are popular. Serenades are gatherings where friends and neighbours share music and traditional songs.

In Colombia, the Christmas season begins on December 7th with the Day of the Little Candles (Día de las Velitas). Families light candles in front of their homes, and bonfires illuminate the countryside. People also father to pray the Novena de Aguinaldos, a religious tradition of prayers to the Virgin Mary, Baby Jesus and Saint Joseph, accompanied by carols sung around the Nativity scene. In Ecuador, families also hold Novenas, exchange gifts, and attend Midnight Mass.

A typical Christmas tradition in Colombia and Venezuela is that children write letters to the Baby Jesus asking for gifts. Festivities feature lively Christmas music and fireworks, and another beloved custom is decorating colourful lanterns.

In Peru, Christmas celebrations vary by regions. Its rich cuisine and cultural diversity give the holiday a special charm in this Andean country. One notable tradition is Black Christmas (La Navidad Negra), which honours the Black Christ Child (Niño Negro). This festival dates back to colonial times and combines African dances and rhythms with Spanish carols and Andean melodies.

Chile, Argentina, and Paraguay are located in the Southern Hemisphere, so Christmas is celebrated during the summer. Families gather for Christmas Eve with fireworks, and Santa Claus bring the presents. Celebrations often include barbecues. In Chile, Santa Claus is affectionately called “Viejito Pascuero”, and Chileans enjoy Pan de Pascua, a sweet cake made with honey, fruits, and ginger.


In Uruguay, Christmas has a secular rather than religious character. The country officially stopped celebrating Christmas more than a century ago, replacing it with a Family Day. Nevertheless, Christmas decorations, lights, and trees remain a common sight during the season.

In Equatorial Guinea, Christmas is celebrated with great joy unique traditions. Families and friends gather in homes, bars, and public places to share food and dance traditional dances such as the “Bonkó”, which takes place in the city centre of Malabo.

To conclude, the Christmas season in Spanish-speaking countries generally extends until January 6th, when the Tree Kings arrive. Streets and homes are filled with beautiful decorations, and both children and adults enjoy carols, gifts, typical food according to the region, and fireworks that light up the night of December 24th.

For educational Christmas-related songs in Spanish, click on the following links:

 

 Bibliography:

 


By Isabel O'Donoghue at

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