Most Festive Christmas Traditions Around Latin America

By Neil P. First Posted: Dec 17, 2020 08:29 AM EST

The whole world will celebrate Christmas a week from now, and Latinos are expected to have a festive celebration! Here are some of the Christmas traditions from around Latin America.

(Photo : Unsplash/S&B Vonlanthen)

Latinos are known for their festive celebration of Christmas. They celebrate this occasion in a very festive way with much sumptuous food on the table, giving gifts, playing traditional Latino music, and more. For Latinos, Christmas is important because it is the birth of Jesus Christ.

Latinos around the world typically celebrate this special occasion with their families. It is not a surprise anymore why many of them travel back to their place of origin. As an old saying goes, "There is no place like home," and this is very remarkable every Christmas Day.

Here are some Christmas traditions from around Latin America that you should know, according to We Are Mitu:

1. El Pase Del Niño Viajero in Ecuador

This is a well-known celebration in Ecuador that is traditionally held during the Christmas season. It is a pageant that lasts for weeks and the parade is meant to represent the journey of Mary and Joseph.

Additionally, the religious importance of Christmas in Ecuador and is most common in the Andean region of the country.

2. La Gritería in Nicaragua

This is celebrated right after La Purisima, which is celebrated at the end of November and is meant to celebrate the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary. Moreover, La Griteria is celebrated in early December and involves literal yelling.

3. Las Posadas in Mexico

There are many activities in Latin America but the most recognizable of all is the Las Posadas in Mexico. This event takes place from Dec.16-24.

Traditionally, the celebration begins with a procession in the neighborhood filled with people singing and sometimes led by two people dressed as Mary and Joseph. But the Las Posadas this year is expected to be celebrated virtually.

4. Aguinaldos in Colombia

This is a distinct activity in Colombia that is comprised of a series of games leading to Christmas.

There are common games that Colombians do and this includes pajita en boca, which requires holding a straw in your mouth the entire time of a social event.

5. El Quema Del Diablo in Guatemala

People in Guatemala celebrate El Quema Del Diablo in early December. This is to let go of the negative things that happened in the previous year.

Typically, Guatemalans burn piñatas and effigies of the devil to let go of all negative feelings and moments from the previous year. If there is a celebration that one must try this year, this one could be the best.

These are just a few of the Christmas traditions that are celebrated from around Latin America.

The celebration varies from one country to the other but what makes Latin American countries different from the others is that the center of their celebration is the birth of Jesus Christ, rather than making Santa Claus as the symbol of the yearly celebration.