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Christmas Traditions
in Latin America

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Christmas Traditions in Latin America
Christmas is celebrated all around the world. Each country has different customs and traditions. Learn about the Christmas traditions in Latin America. Different countries celebrate in their own way including different dates, food, drinks which lead to a variety of diverse Christmas traditions around the World! This article features popular Latin American Christmas traditions detailing the celebrations, gift giving, Santa Claus and other customs followed in Latin America. We have even included some useful facts and information about the country, the flag and even the language!

Christmas Traditions in Latin America
A tradition is a specific practice of long standing in which unwritten customs and practices are passed from one generation to the next. Traditions and customs form part of a country's culture and heritage. The following information provides some fast, interesting facts about customs and Christmas traditions in Latin America:

  • Latin America is defined as all those parts of the Americas that were once part of the Spanish and Portuguese Empires including Mexico, Central and South America, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico

  • The traditions vary according to Spanish, Portuguese or French influences together with the North American culture of the US

  • Christmas Eve is known in Spanish as La Noche Buena, meaning 'the good night'

  • Christmas Eve is known in Portuguese as Véspera de Natal

  • Christmas Eve is celebrated by staying up until midnight when gifts and presents are opened

  • Many of the countries adhere to the Roman Catholic religion where Christmas is an extremely important religious festival

  • Scenes of the Nativity are popular.

  • Retablos are a folk art in the form of paintings on various materials which depict religious scenes and events. Retablos came to the New World as small painted portable altars. These and painted  Nativity scenes were used by the early priests to convert the Indigenous population.

  • Religious Processions and parades are strongly featured in the countries

  • Festivities include Christmas lights, gift giving, trees, candles, decorations, parties and firework displays

  • Turron is a nougat desert made of honey, sugar and egg white which is topped with toasted almonds and popular throughout Latin America

  • Christmas Traditions in Latin America

Latin American Christmas Vocabulary
How do you say Merry Christmas in the countries of Latin America? If you have friends or family who live, or have ties with, a different country it is a nice gesture to add a seasons greetings in the language of the country. A practical addition to learning about Christmas traditions in Latin America:

  • How do you say Merry Christmas or Santa Claus in Latin American? In parts of Latin America, the gift bringer is called El Nino Jesus, "the infant Jesus." Santo Clós (Santa Claus) -  Niño Dios  - Los Reyes Magos ("The Wise Men")
 

How do you say Merry Christmas
in Latin American?

What is the name
for Santa Claus in Latin America?

EcuadorFeliz NavidadEl Nino Jesus, "the infant Jesus." Papa Noel
GuatemalaFeliz NavidadSaint Nicholas
PeruFeliz NavidadPapa Noel or Nino Jesus
BoliviaFeliz NavidadPapa Noel
PanamaFeliz NavidadPapa Noel
VenezuelaFeliz NavidadPapa Noel or Nino Jesus
ColombiaFeliz Navidad para todosEl Nino Jesus, "the infant Jesus."
CubaFeliz NavidadPapa Noel or Nino Jesus
Puerto RicoFeliz Navidad, Felices Pascuas, FelicidadesPapa Noel or Nino Jesus
BrazilFeliz NatalPapai Noel
Dominican RepublicFeliz NavidadPapa Noel or Nino Jesus
El SalvadorFeliz NavidadPapa Noel or Nino Jesus
HondurasFeliz NavidadPapa Noel or Nino Jesus
MexicoFeliz NavidadEl Nino Jesus, "the infant Jesus." Santo Clós (Santa Claus); Niño Dios (); Los Reyes Magos ("The Wise Men")
NicaraguaFeliz NavidadPapa Noel or Nino Jesus
ParaguayFeliz NavidadPapa Noel or Nino Jesus
ArgentinaFeliz NavidadPapa Noel or Nino Jesus
ChileFeliz NavidadViejito Pascuero (Christmas old man)
Costa RicaFeliz NavidadEl Nino Jesus, "the infant Jesus."
UruguayFeliz NavidadPapa Noel or Nino Jesus

Facts and Information about Latin America
Learn a little about Latin America, as well as its Christmas traditions! The following information provides some fast, interesting facts about Latin America:

  • There are 20 countries in Latin America which are Ecuador, Guatemala, Peru, Bolivia, Panama, Venezuela, Colombia, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Brazil, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica and Uruguay

  • The land are of South America covers 21,069,501 km²

  • Languages spoken include Spanish, Portuguese and French

Christmas Traditions in Latin America
This article provides an overview of the country and the different Christmas traditions in Latin America. Lots of free, facts and information for kids, children and teachers! Popular Latin American Christmas traditions detailing the celebrations, gift giving, Santa Claus and other customs followed in Latin America.


 

Christmas Traditions in Latin America

  • Christmas Traditions in Latin America
  • Latin American Christmas traditions and customs
  • Festive greetings in Latin American
  • Interesting Facts and Info about Latin America - including the Flag of Latin America
  • Read about Christmas Traditions around the World
  • Christmas Traditions around the world
  • For teachers, kids and children
  • Free, useful facts and interesting information
  • Christmas Traditions in Latin America

Christmas Traditions in Latin America

"Merry Christmas, have a happy and prosperous New Year!"

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