In Venezuela, Christmas is one of the most important times of the year. While it is always a special time in South America, the holiday is especially important in Venezuela. Venezuelan Christmas traditions last a whole month and a half, and firework shows are very popular!!
November 17
Christmas lasts about one and a half months, and Venezuelan Christmas traditions begin with the celebrations of “Dia de la Chinita” on November 17, in Maracaibo Edo Zulia.
“La Chinita” is the virgin “patrona de Macaracibo”. The people of Maracaibo are strong believers in her. This day starts the Christmas parties, parrandas, and gaitas in the Zulia Estate.
December 16
On December 16, many families bring out their pesebre or Nacimiento, an elaborate representation of the nativity scene.
December 24
However, the Christmas celebrations reach their peak around December 21 and continue with December 24 day of Christmas Eve called “Noche Buena”.
December 31
December 31 is called “Año Nuevo”
January 7
January 07 “Dia de Reyes” (three kings day).
A Month & a Half of Celebrations
Christmas in Venezuela during this month and a half is all about celebrations, parties, parrandas, misas de Gallo, gaitas. A lot of drink and food. People enjoy themselves and have a lot of fun at this time of the year. In Venezuela, Christmas is celebrated at work and among friends, not just for families.
Religious Traditions
There are nine carol services for Christmas, and Venezuelans attend at least one of these masses to worship at dawn.
Nochebuena de Navidad
The final service is on Christmas Eve or Nochebuena de Navidad, a very important mass. Afterward, families always well-dressed return home to eat a large meal, drink beverages, listening to the gaitas, dance, and exchange presents. Presents are usually opened on Christmas Eve, which is even more important than Christmas Day.
Misas de Gallo
On Christmas Day, families attend the Misa de Gallo or Mass of the Rooster. It was given this odd name because of its 5 a.m. calling time. Then many take to the streets for Christmas celebrations and to visit family and friends.
From the large city of Caracas to the smaller rural areas, people rise in the early mornings and travel by foot as most roads are closed off. No alarm clocks are needed as the sound of bells and firecrackers fill the early morning air to let everyone know it’s time for church.
Food Traditions
Food always plays an important role in South American holidays and Venezuelan food plays an important role in the Christmas tradition.
Hallacas
The single most important dish is the “hallacas”, something similar to tamales in other areas. A balance of sweet and savory, hallacas are traditional Venezuelan meat pies with a cornmeal crust that are wrapped in banana leaves and boiled for a couple of hours. Fillings include meat with raisins, olives, green and red peppers, capers, and pickled vegetables.
They are only eaten at Christmas because they take a long time to make, and often require the entire family to help with the cooking. Many will boast that their mother or grandmother makes the best hallaca in the neighborhood or even the country.
Pernil, Ensalada de Gallina, Pan de Jamon, and More…
Other typical Christmas dishes include pork’s leg called “Pernil”, chicken salad called “Ensalada de Gallina”, “Pan de Jamon”, a loaf of bread filled with cooked ham and raisins, “Dulce de lechoza”, a cold dessert made from green papaya and brown sugar, “Torta Negra” a special cake made with nuts, raisins, and others marinates in liquor a few months before, and “ponche crema”, an eggnog drink that can be homemade or bought in supermarkets.
Christmas Decorations
Traditional Decorations
Traditional Venezuelan decorations are found in all homes. The most important is the nativity scene showing the Baby Jesus in the manger. Some families are much more elaborate in their decorations and create an entire diorama. Pieces are often passed down from generation to generation and are considered a very special part of Christmas.
Modern Decorations
Modern decorations are also common and many homes have an artificial Christmas tree in honor of North American Christmas traditions. Unlike the tradition of Santa Claus, in Venezuela, children receive presents from Baby Jesus himself and occasionally St. Nicholas. In the past, presents were placed by the pesebre, but now it’s becoming more common to find them under the tree.
Murals
Many homes are decorated with Christmas lights, but some are painted to show their Christmas tree. The murals are painted up to a month before Christmas Day to set the tone for the new year and prepare for the festivities.
Musical Traditions
One of the most unique Venezuelan Christmas traditions is “Gaita” music. This is a type of folk music from the Zulia state. It’s played on several instruments including the ‘Cuatro’ (a guitar with four strings) a ‘Tambora’ (a Venezuelan drum), the ‘Furro’ (a type of drum but it has a stick coming up through the middle of the skin of the drum – this can make it have some different sounds) and the ‘Charrasca’ (a ribbed tube that you rub a stick up and down).
Gaitas
“Gaitas” songs combine a Latin culture with African influence. It is common for people to refer to a gaitero rhythm, which reflects the joy of the season. It is very common to hear and dance this traditional music all throughout Venezuela during the holidays. The singers are known as ‘Gaiteros’.
Aguinaldos y Parrandas
Another type of music in Venezuela is called ‘Aguinaldos y Parrandas’. This style is also popular at Christmas as the songs are like carols known as aguinaldos, door-to-door parranda style, and are rewarded with food and drinks.
Venezuelan celebrations often include other kinds of dances including salsa, merengue, etc.
Christmas Eve
Venezuelans observe several traditions to prepare for midnight mass on Christmas Eve, known as Nochebuena or Noche Buena.
The entire family attends midnight mass and returns home to enjoy a meal to celebrate Christ’s birth. The meal includes traditional Venezuelan foods such as Hallacas, Pernil de Cochino, Pan de Jamon, Ensalada de gallina, Turkey, Dulce de lechoza, etc.
At midnight all the families and friends make a toast and say “Feliz Navidad” then start to exchange the gifts (which are below the Christmas tree), and they launch a lot of fireworks. The party can last for a few hours more.
Gift Giving Traditions
Baby Jesus plays the role of Santa Claus in Venezuelan Christmas traditions, bringing gifts for children on Christmas Eve. On January 6, some Venezuelans celebrate Three Kings Day (Epiphany), known as El Dia de Los Tres Reyes Magos. According to Dinneen’s book, the celebration of Three King’s Day in Venezuela has died out, although some people still observe the tradition.
“Happy New Year” Night
On December 31, Venezuelans make a big party with a lot of traditional food, drinks, music for the season, same as “Noche Buena”. They look forward to hearing the fireworks that announce it is midnight. At that time everybody hugs each other and says “Feliz año nuevo”.
Many families leave home and go to the front road, and meet with their neighbors to give them “Feliz año nuevo”. Then, the families return to their homes and make a toast for “Happy New Year” or “Feliz año nuevo”, also they launch fireworks. The party can last for a few hours more.
Venezuelans observe several traditions to prepare for the new year. For instance, people go out of the house with suitcases (which supposedly brings you trips), eat 12 grapes (you have to eat them at 12 o’clock, and while you eat each grape you make a wish). And at 12 o’clock, people ring in the new year with money in their hands (which supposedly brings you money in the new year).
Other Venezuelan Christmas Traditions
In the Andean region of Venezuela, people pay homage to the Christ child, known as paradura del Niño, by singing to him in front of the nativity. The Baby Jesus is taken from the manger and kissed by each participant before being returned in an upright position.
Some Venezuelans celebrate the Day of the Innocents on December 28 to mark the slaughter of male babies by King Herod after Christ’s birth. Town festivals are held with music and dancing, and children dress up in costumes and play practical jokes.
Mary Aaron