Christmas in
Brazil
Celebrated: December 24 (Noite Feliz) through December 25
Signature traditions
- 1.Christmas falls in summer — beach Christmases are common in coastal cities
- 2.Setting up a presépio (nativity scene) in homes and town squares
- 3.Late-night dinner on Christmas Eve, with most families eating after 10 PM
- 4.Secret Santa (Amigo Secreto / Amigo Oculto) gift exchanges with friends and coworkers
- 5.Watching fireworks at midnight on Christmas Eve along beaches in Rio and São Paulo
What's on the table
Peru de Natal and panettone
Christmas dinner centers on peru (turkey) or chester chicken with farofa (toasted cassava flour), rice with raisins, and tropical fruits. Panettone — adopted from Italian immigrants — is so popular that Brazil consumes more of it than any country except Italy.
The iconic decoration
Lights on palm trees
Without snow or evergreens, Brazilians decorate palm trees with Christmas lights. The Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas in Rio de Janeiro features a giant floating Christmas tree on the lagoon, lit nightly through the season.
How gifts are given
Papai Noel delivers gifts on Christmas Eve. Most families exchange and open presents at midnight after the Christmas Eve dinner.
Did you know?
Rio de Janeiro's annual floating Christmas tree on Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas was once the largest in the world — a 280-foot illuminated structure floating on the lagoon, viewed by millions throughout December.