1.- SEASONAL CELEBRATIONS AND TRADITIONS
1.1.- Christmas Eve (Nochebuena)
Before Christmas Day in Peru is the traditional Christmas Eve, this is a time of warmth, joy and sharing with the family that many travelers enjoy as it is the time when serenity and peace is felt throughout the city. Part of the Christmas Customs in Peru is that at this time all families gather between 18:00 pm at the central family house where everyone shares an exclusive dinner that regularly includes turkey, suckling pig, tamales and the delicious panteon which is a traditional sweet of Christmas in Peru. This celebration lasts until midnight when the religious moment of the birth of Jesus is celebrated and it is the moment when Christmas in Peru officially begins.
1.2.- Misa de Gallo (Midnight Mass)
There are many traditional people who like to enjoy Christmas in Peru as it was done in the old days. For this reason they attend the popular rooster mass that is celebrated at midnight between Christmas Eve and Christmas in Peru, during this ceremony is celebrated in a religious way the birth of Jesus where many families gather in the church to the sound of Christmas carols and a festive environment. It is common to see during the celebration of the mass how the space is decorated with representations of the birth and delivery of gifts.
1.3.- Christmas Day (Navidad)
Christmas Day in Peru is celebrated on December 25th every year and it is the most awaited moment by the little ones of the house but at the same time by travelers looking to enjoy and live a new experience. Symbol of Christmas Day in Peru is undoubtedly the popular Christmas tree that is decorated with lights and gifts, accompanying the manger which represents the birth, during this day the purpose is to strengthen family ties.
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1.4.- New Year’s Eve (Año Nuevo)
The celebrations of December and Christmas Day in Peru end with the popular New Year, which occurs between December 31st and January 1st. This moment is very special in the country since the whole atmosphere turns to celebration and also involves preparing dishes and toasts with champagne. Many people believe that this time of the year is the beginning of a new stage or season so they have created lucky cabals for a new year, some of these are:
- For those who are looking for money, love or luck it works very well for them to wear underwear of the color that represents Green corresponds to money, yellow to luck and red to love.
- There are believers who are looking for an upcoming trip, for this reason they go running to the street with their suitcases, simulating the beginning of the trip.
- It is also part of the beliefs to have a glass with champagne and 12 grapes inside. Representing 12 wishes that can be fulfilled in the next 12 months.
2.- RELIGIOUS AND CULTURAL INFLUENCES
With the passage of time, Christmas in Peru has been obtaining diverse influences of dogmatic currents, among these is the catholic which is the strongest in Peru as the main religion and the second religion is the Christian religion. In both cases they share fundamental aspects and beliefs but at the same time they have differences.
2.1.- Catholic tradition
The celebration of Christmas in Peru is based on the birth of Jesus as the main savior as well as giving great importance to the Virgin Mary, this celebration also includes the rooster mass that is given on the 24th at midnight commemorating the birth of Jesus as part of a special liturgy. It is also representative to build nativity scenes that include small figures of the Holy Family and shepherds, animals that are combined with local elements such as grass, straw and others. Usually this nativity is placed in a visible place and accompanied with Christmas trees and lights. As the night goes by, offerings such as prayers to the Virgin Mary and the saints are made, which reflects that devotion and spirituality is part of the Christmas Customs in Peru, as well as being complemented with traditional Christmas carols that narrate biblical moments. According to this way of seeing Christmas in Peru, it prioritizes family gatherings and at the same time community where you can interact with others.
2.2.- Christian tradition
This is a different way of celebrating Christmas in Peru, since it focuses on the importance of the personal relationship one can have with God, giving an outstanding reinforcement to the individual faith and formal traditions. All people who follow this religious belief celebrate Christmas in Peru in a different way without giving so much prominence to other characters and basing everything only on the birth of Jesus, they choose to have new musical styles adapting contemporary themes and reflecting the great variety of expressions of faith. The celebration of Christmas in Peru is a little more collective in this type of religion, they perform community and collective activities where they share experiences of faith among its participants.
3.- ANDEAN CUSTOMS
Part of the Traditions in Peru during Christmas is undoubtedly the syncretism or mixture of cultures that we can appreciate in each place, which undoubtedly highlights the elaboration of the traditional market of Santuranticuy, a local market that takes place in Cusco during the Christmas season in Peru. Its name derives from a Quechua word that means “Sale of the Saints”, the particularity of this traditional market is that it is held in the main square of Cusco and is characterized mainly by having small stalls in which local artisans exhibit unique handmade ceramic items, textiles, paintings and others related to the Holy Family, the birth of Jesus and others related to it. It is worth noting that the main character of the whole market is the little baby Jesus, who according to Andean belief takes the name of Manuelito child and is always accompanied by other images of other saints characteristic of the Catholic religion, we are sure you will find more than one suitable souvenir that you can take with you.
4.- TRADITION FOR GENERATIONS
“For decades Christmas in Peru has been about sharing moments and anecdotes with family, friends and close people. However, something that many people do not know is that there are two elements that are key to properly enjoy a fun Christmas in Peru, a hot cup of chocolate and a piece of panettone..”
5.- FAQs ABOUT CHRISTMAS IN PERU
- What are the main Christmas traditions and celebrations in Peru?
Celebrating Christmas in Peru means thinking of others and being able to share with them in some way, among the Traditions in Peru during Christmas is found in the popular performance of the rooster mass, in which multiple families attend a religious ceremony to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Many people also have the custom of elaborating a nativity inside their homes representing the happiness for the birth of the baby Jesus, this has its splendor on Christmas Eve in which is also celebrated the elaboration of an abundant meal in which they can share with the whole family since this is precisely what represents the Christmas in Peru and without forgetting the presents, it is common to exchange gifts among the members of the family.
- How do Peruvians celebrate Christmas and the holiday season?
Christmas in Peru is one of the most awaited celebrations by the local people since its main form of celebration is based on family reunions, moments in which all the members of the family can be present to share moments of joy, another aspect that highlights the celebration of Christmas in Peru is that many people decorate the houses with lights of different colors and shapes making also a healthy and fun rivalry. Considering the Andean belief for many it is also the time of harm in which they can make offerings to mother earth also known as Pachamama thus expressing their strong connection with the culture.
- What is the significance of Christmas celebrations in Peruvian culture?
Christmas in Peru has as its main identifying aspect the spirituality and faith that helps people to reflect with the birth of the child Jesus and giving them hope for a new beginning, at the same time it is known that this is a time when the family can unite in a closer way forgetting the problems occurred during the year and in the same way it is known that Christmas in Peru has become a symbol of cultural identity since many of the Christmas traditions are the result of the fusion of the Andean culture with the European influence.
Now you have everything ready to enjoy your next vacation and at the same time live the experience of Christmas in Peru. Auri Peru is specialized in creating unforgettable experiences making the most of your free time. Contact us now and let us live together on this incredible holiday in Peru.
“Nothing can be better than Christmas, except traveling for Christmas.”
