Puerto Rico takes pride in having the longest holiday season in the world.
On the Island, la Navidad lasts around 45 days, starting right after Thanksgiving Day in November, extending through mid-January, and culminating with the Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastián, also known as la SanSe. Every year, Puerto Ricans get ready to celebrate their Christmas traditions and customs, from food to music and even décor.
Since the holiday season is not so much a sprint as it is a marathon, here are some traditions you should know to get in the spirit of the occasion:
How Do Puerto Ricans Celebrate Christmas
Christmas in Puerto Rico is all about joy, tradition, and community. Puerto Rican Christmas traditions come alive with parrandas, merry music, and festive Nochebuena gatherings.. The Island’s vibrant Christmas décor, delicious holiday food like coquitos, and lively events make this season unforgettable. From Christmas Eve to Three Kings Day, and even through Octavitas and New Year’s Eve rituals, Christmas traditions in Puerto Rico are a must-experience!
A good parranda kit needs panderetas, güiro, palitos, maracas and tamboriles.
Puerto Rico's Christmas Parrandas
A parranda or trulla is the boricua version of a Christmas Carol. Friends and families gather in front of a house – usually after 10:00 p.m. – with instruments like panderos, maracas, güiros, cuatros, and guitars to sing aguinaldos (traditional Christmas songs).
The idea is to surprise the household, so the parranderos round up as quietly as possible and then break into song with the intention of waking people up with joyful and jubilant music. It is a tradition for the household to offer refreshments and then join the group to bring the party to the next house. The last home is the longest stay and where the party usually ends when the sun rises.
Merry Holiday Music
Boricuas don’t fa la la la la, they le lo lai during Christmas time! Music is a key aspect of Navidad, and there are different types of songs played around the Island throughout the season. The most popular are aguinaldos (which literally means gift), folk-style songs that can be of secular or religious themes. Another prominent genre is villancicos, which are religious Christmas tunes that feature Catholic figures and that are derived from Spanish culture. Lastly, trovas is the art of song improvisation that will take you to yesteryear. It emerged from jíbaros (the ancient Puerto Rican farmer) who would play music and invent songs on the spot and, still to this day, trovadores delight crowds with their talent. Other genres of music, such as bomba and plena are also commonly sung by Puerto Ricans during the festive season.
Puerto Ricans decorate their homes with a festive and joyful atmosphere.
Christmas Décor
Puerto Ricans usually put up their Christmas trees and decorations by Thanksgiving and don’t take them down until mid-January, so the Island feels especially magical during the holiday season. With town squares and houses lit up with Santa Clauses and snowflakes as well as local designs like jibaritos, Puerto Rico turns into a tropical winter wonderland where every corner is a photo opportunity.
Key Holidays That Make Puerto Rican Christmas Unforgettable
Puerto Rican Christmas holidays are full of joy and tradition. Nochebuena kicks off the season with a family feast on Christmas Eve, followed by the lively celebration of Nochevieja on New Year's Eve, where unique rituals welcome the new year. Three Kings Day, or Día de Reyes, is a cherished holiday, especially for children. The season extends through Octavitas, a two-week period of continued celebrations after the official end of Christmas, making the holiday season in Puerto Rico one of the longest and most festive in the world!
In Puerto Rico, Nochebuena trumps Christmas Day.
Nochebuena
For most Puerto Ricans, Christmas Eve or Nochebuena trumps Christmas Day. This is the night where family and friends gather for a traditional dinner, exchange gifts, go out on parrandas, or take a drive to enjoy the Christmas decorations around town.
Many Puerto Ricans will attend a midnight mass known as Misa de Gallo, where they welcome Christmas as a commemoration of the birth of Jesus. Some churches even reenact the Nativity scene.
The Octavitas is an extension of Christmas where people continue to have parties and revelry.
Octavitas
The eight days after Three Kings Day are known in Puerto Rico as las octavitas, an extension of Christmas were people keep throwing parties and going on parrandas. Originally, the octavitas were parties of a religious nature and were used to glorify the Magi and Jesus with songs. Usually, this period ends with Puerto Rico’s most vibrant and colorful festival: las Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastián or la SanSe. This music-filled cultural jubilee marks the official end of the holiday season.
A popular New Year's ritual is dropping backwards into the waves as the clock strikes 12 to keep the bad spirits at bay.
New Year’s Eve Rituals
Partake in some of the most common rituals to welcome the Año Nuevo (New Year) like a Boricua. Puerto Ricans clean their homes to start the new year on a positive note since they believe that will be the condition that will prevail for the next 365 days. In some parts of the Island, people throw buckets out of their windows to drive away evil spirits away. Or even welcome the new year in your swimsuit! A popular custom, if you are celebrating near the beach, is dropping backwards into the waves as the clock strikes 12 to keep the bad spirits at bay. Another tradition, that originated in Spain, is to eat 12 grapes during the last 12 seconds of the ending year, and you must finish all of them by midnight.
Discover Ideas to Build Your New Year Getaway in Puerto Rico
On January 6, Puerto Rico celebrates Three Kings Day or Epiphany.
Three Kings Day
On January 6th, Puerto Rico celebrates el Día de Reyes or Epiphany, a commemoration of the visit the Three Wise Men made after Jesus was born. The night before, children around Puerto Rico go out to their backyards and gather grass or hay in shoeboxes and place them under their beds for the Magi’s camels or horses in exchange for presents. For over 135 years, the town of Juana Díaz has celebrated a festival and parade that gathers over 25,000 people for the occasion.
Savor the Flavors of Puerto Rican Christmas Cuisine
A Puerto Rican Christmas feast is a celebration of rich, flavorful dishes that bring family and friends together. The traditional menu features savory mains, hearty sides, and sweet desserts, all accompanied by festive drinks that make the holiday season unforgettable. These cherished recipes reflect the Island’s vibrant culture and culinary heritage.
The holiday menu in Puerto Rico includes local favorites like pernil, arroz con gandules, pasteles, tembleque, and arroz con dulce.
Traditional Dishes
The classic holiday menu consists of arroz con gandules (rice with pigeon peas), lechón asado (spit-roasted pork), and pasteles (tamale-like patties of green banana and meat). Side dishes might include potato salad, pasta salad, or morcilla (rice-stuffed blood sausages). The traditional Christmas dessert is tembleque, a coconut-based pudding topped with cinnamon.
Coquito is a coconut-based thick drink usually served during the Holiday season.
Coquito
Instead of eggnog, Puerto Rico has coquito a thick, creamy holiday drink made primarily with coconut milk, sweetened condensed milk, evaporated milk, rum, and spices. It is usually served chilled in shot glasses to beat the heat of the warm winter days. ¡Salud!
Plan Your Holidays Getaway to Puerto Rico
Celebrate Christmas in Puerto Rico with parrandas, Nochebuena feasts, and Three Kings Day. Enjoy festive traditions, delicious food, and warm weather. Plan your holiday getaway now!
Puerto Rican Christmas FAQs
How does Puerto Rico celebrate Christmas?
Christmas in Puerto Rico is a vibrant celebration of music, food, and family. Puerto Rican Christmas traditions include lively parrandas, festive Nochebuena feasts, and Three Kings Day. The season also features Octavitas, New Year’s Eve rituals, and delicious dishes like lechón and pasteles, with coquito as a seasonal favorite. It’s a time for community and unforgettable traditions.
What is Three Kings Day in Puerto Rico?
Three Kings Day in Puerto Rico, or Día de Reyes, is a lively celebration on January 6th honoring the three wise men. It includes parades, music, and festivities. Children place grass or hay under their beds for the kings' camels, hoping for gifts. This tradition marks the grand finale of the Puerto Rican Christmas season, extending the holiday joy.
What is a traditional Christmas dish in Puerto Rico?
A traditional Christmas dish in Puerto Rico is lechón asado, or spit-roasted pork. It’s often served alongside arroz con gandules (rice with pigeon peas) and pasteles, tamale-like patties made of green banana and meat. These dishes are staples at Puerto Rican Christmas feasts, reflecting the island’s rich culinary traditions and festive spirit.
How is Puerto Rico Christmas different from the US?
Christmas in Puerto Rico is unique with traditions like parrandas (caroling), Nochebuena feasts, and Three Kings Day, which aren’t as common in the U.S. The holiday season lasts longer, often until Jan. 6, with festive foods like lechón, pasteles, and coquito. The celebrations are deeply rooted in Puerto Rican culture, making Christmas on the island a vibrant, extended affair.
What do Puerto Rican children put under their beds on Three Kings Day?
On Three Kings Day, Puerto Rican children place grass or hay under their beds for the camels of the three wise men. In exchange, they hope to receive small gifts, much like the tradition of Santa Claus in other cultures. This custom adds to the excitement and magic of the holiday season.
What is the difference between Nochevieja and Año Nuevo?
In Puerto Rican Christmas, Nochevieja refers to New Year's Eve, the night of December 31st, when people gather to celebrate the end of the old year with family, music, food, and fireworks. It's a lively occasion filled with unique New Year’s Eve rituals. Año Nuevo, on the other hand, is New Year's Day, January 1st, which is a more relaxed day for resting and spending time with family after the previous night's celebrations.
Comment Guidelines
We value your thoughts and want to foster a respectful and engaged community. As such, we ask that you adhere to the following guidelines when posting comments
- Please ensure your opinions are expressed respectfully.
- We won’t remove comments that engage in courteous debate but hate speech or any form of profanity will not be tolerated. This also applies to the inappropriate use of emojis or hashtags.
- Do not downvote or dislike a comment simply because you disagree with another person’s views.
- Self-promotion and external links are not allowed and will be removed.
- Avoid sharing private information about yourself or others. Doxing (the act of leaking personal information with harmful intent) is strictly prohibited and will result in a ban.
- Comments that are off-topic will be deleted.
Paradise for Your Inbox
Get travel inspiration, news, tips and more delivered monthly.
Recommended Articles
Three Kings Day is considered one of the main celebrations during the holiday season in Puerto Rico.
The Timeless Puerto Rican Tradition of Three Kings Day
Christmas is not over until a visit from the Magi.
5 Tips to Give a Parranda
¡Asalto! Nothing combines the best of the Puerto Rican Christmas culture, music, food, drinks, and celebrations, like a parranda.
Holiday Festivals and Events in Puerto Rico
Boricuas love a celebration, especially during the Holidays.
Whether by the shade of trees or a cabana, Puerto Rico's beaches are the perfect place to relax.
4 Reasons to Plan a Vacation to Puerto Rico
If “unforgettable” is how you want to describe your vacation, Puerto Rico should is your place.
Arroz con gandules is a staple Christmas dish.
How to Make a Puerto Rican Holiday Feast
There’s more to the fiesta than just the food.
Lin-Manuel Miranda's Favorite Spots in Puerto Rico
Experience the island’s vibrancy and charm while visiting some of Lin-Manuel Miranda's favorite places in Puerto Rico.