Christmas is a special time in South America and Christmas in Peru is a very important holiday. While there is a strong indigenous population, the majority of Peruvians are Roman Catholic. With this large population of Roman Catholics, Christmas is one of the most important times of the year.
While some celebrations are similar to those in Europe and North America, there are some unique traditions that reflect the nation’s history and make Peru a special place to be on vacation and one that makes for a great vacation destination.
Traditional Christmas in Peru
Americans usually celebrate Christmas on December 25. However, in Peru, along with many South American countries like Venezuela and Bolivia, they celebrate more on Christmas Eve. In Peru it is known as Noche Buena or Good Night.
Attending church is a big part of celebrating Christmas Eve. Peruvians attend the misa de gallo or misa de gallo starting at 10 pm, which is a little earlier than other South American countries.
After mass, some households begin their Christmas dinner at midnight, while others first let the children open their presents. Either way, both the food and the opening of gifts take place around this time (with some exceptions in the Andean region, where the gifts are opened on January 6 during the Epiphany, or the Adoration of the Magi ). A toast (toast) usually takes place at midnight.
Christmas decorations in Peru
With greater external influence from North America and Europe, Christmas trees are slowly beginning to appear. However, traditionally the gifts brought by Santa Claus or Baby Jesus and placed near the altarpiece (manger scene) and most houses still do not have a tree.
In Peru, the nativity scene is very popular and can be found in every home. These scenes are often large, intricate, and elaborate (sometimes taking up an entire wall), and feature statues of the Magi, Jesus in the manger, and other nativity figures. Sometimes you’ll see a particularly Andean twist on the typical nativity scene, with llamas and alpacas replacing the more biblical images of donkeys, oxen, and camels.
The smaller scenes are known as altarpieces and are a popular art form featuring paintings and wood, ceramic, or stone carvings of religious events. The altarpieces are three-dimensional scenes, usually contained within a rectangular box with two front doors. These are particularly relevant in Peru, as it is what the priests used to initially try to convert the indigenous population to Catholicism. You will see them for sale in markets and souvenir shops throughout the year, especially in the Andean regions of Peru.
The scenes contained in an altarpiece may depict historical or religious events or simple scenes from everyday life, but Christmas altarpieces generally depict the manger scene.
Christmas food in Peru
Like all over the world, food plays an important role in Christmas celebrations. After mass, it is common for families to sit down to a traditional roast turkey or lechón (roast suckling pig) dinner with a variety of salads and side dishes such as apple sauce and tamales . There are also regional variations, such as fish dishes on the coast, a classic Andean pachamanca in the highlands, or a roasted wild chicken (wild roast chicken ) in the jungle.
At the same tamales based corn dough on the table, most of the food has a Peruvian gastronomic touch and is slightly spicy with spicy chili sauce. While the adults toast the event with champagne, the kids sip hot chocolate that has a delicious twist with the addition of cinnamon and cloves. For dessert it is common to eat panettone , a Peruvian fruit cake with Italian origins.
The social events called chocolatadas , in which people gather to drink hot chocolate, take place during the Christmas period. Churches and other community organizations organize chocolatadas for poor communities, giving free hot chocolate (and panettone) to families as a festive charity gift.
After dinner, many take to the streets to greet friends and neighbors to continue the celebrations. While technically illegal, fireworks are plentiful and can be seen throughout the night. After the kids finish opening their presents and watching the opening light show, it’s time for them to go to bed.
This is when the real celebrations begin for the grown-ups, when they push the furniture around the house and put on their salsa dancing shoes all night long. These parties can last quite late and into the early morning hours, so December 25 can be quite quiet.
Traveling in Peru at Christmas
Peruvians are on the move in the days before and after Christmas, traveling by bus or on a national airline to or from the family home. Bus and plane tickets sell out quickly and some companies may increase their prices. If you want to travel during the Christmas period, it is a good idea to buy your tickets at least a few days in advance.
December 25 is a national holiday in Peru. Many businesses and services close at noon on December 24 and reopen on December 26. Some supermarkets, pharmacies, and restaurants stay open longer than most, but you should buy all your essentials by December 24 just to be safe.
If you want to talk to family and friends at home on Christmas Day, you should be able to find an open internet cafe or call center ( booth or call center ) somewhere in most cities. Otherwise, you must use the Internet or the telephone at your hotel or hostel.
Even if you are not religious, it is difficult not to get caught up in the beauty of Christmas in Peru. It is a good time to immerse yourself in the culture. Traveling over the Christmas holidays can be a great way to experience life in Peru, but be aware that there are some downsides. It is very rare for stores to be open on Christmas Day and it is important to plan ahead and get any needs in advance.
