Different Cities And How They Celebrate Christmas
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- December 12, 2023
The observance of Christmas around the world varies by country. Many national governments recognise Christmas as an official public holiday, while others recognise it symbolically but not as an official legal observance. Christmas celebrations around the world can vary markedly in form, reflecting differing cultural and national traditions. Here is an insight into how some places celebrate Christmas.
El Salvador
Christmas in El Salvador is all about festive traditions and is celebrated on December 24th and 25th. It is a holiday rich with festive customs and traditions that Salvadoran families enjoy. Christmas rituals vary from family to family but include family gatherings, holiday foods, fireworks, a Christmas tree, and a nativity scene display. Salvadorans celebrate Christmas primarily on December 24th at midnight, but the festivities occur throughout December, making it a month-long celebration.
Bahamas
Are you ready to spend Christmas in the Bahamas? For many, the fun starts on December 24th. In most Bahamian homes, children are put to bed early so parents can stay up, do some last-minute wrapping of gifts, and indulge in the wine and spirits of The Bahamas. They graze over platters of meats and cheeses while casually sipping on glasses of reduced or white wine, not sleeping until every last present is wrapped (and every last drop of wine is gone), all while the children peacefully sleep with visions of Junkanoo dancers in their heads. The day everyone is waiting for, Christmas Day, is filled with delicious meals, conversations, and laughter, followed by a night of dancing and music. After the second round of full bellies, the evening is spent relaxing and preparing for a fun night. Of course, there’s not much sleep on Christmas night because promptly at 2 a.m. Junkanoo begins. The streets of downtown come alive with a night filled with music, including drums and whistles, and delightful dancing of Junkanoo rush-outs as they weave through the streets until 10 a.m. on Boxing Day.
Mexico
Christmas in Mexico is one of the most magical times of the year. Because it is largely a Catholic country, Christmas in Mexico is deeply tied to the holiday’s religious roots. From the 16th to the 24th of December, churches and communities will host what are called Posadas Navidenas every day, with culminating celebrations on Christmas Eve. The posadas usually entail a procession of people with candles to symbolise Joseph and Mary’s journey in search of shelter in the nativity story. These Mexican Christmas traditions include songs, children in costume, reenactments of the biblical story, and a party hosted by a different house each night. Other Mexican Christmas traditions include elaborate nativity scenes (nacimientos, in Spanish), the display of poinsettia flowers, which are native to the country, and fireworks. In some parts of Mexico, children will receive presents on January 6th, known as el Dia de los Reyes, delivered by the Three Kings (or magi). Santa Claus and Christmas trees are becoming slightly more popular, but for the most part, Christmas in Mexico stays true to its Spanish colonial and indigenous origins.
Ijeoma Ezeanyika
