Picture a night alive with fireworks bursting over a steamy summer sky, kids racing to spot Papai Noel in his silk suit. Thatโs Christmas hereโloud, colorful, and full of surprises. Itโs not just a holiday; itโs a celebration of who we are, blending old roots with our own tropical twist. Ready to uncover what makes it unforgettable?
Just like in many other parts of the world, December 25 in Brazil is a time for the whole family to get together, for religious reflection, and also for lots of food and drink. Here in Brazil, we celebrate Christmas during the summer, so the days are warm and sunny.
Also, if you would like to learn more about holidays in Brazil, later you can read more in-depth about Brazil cultural festivals and holidays here. Now, letโs get back into it.
So, while North Americans put on sweaters, light up trees, and shovel snow, we Brazilians celebrate Christmas with lots of sunshine!
As Christmas takes place during the summer here in Brazil, we do a lot of barbecuing, and we can do a lot of outdoor activities. We get together with our families to share joy, love, and gratitude for having achieved another healthy Christmas.
The tropical summer weather adds a special touch to our festivities, with sunny days and starlit nights. The streets and houses are decorated with Christmas lights, creating a magical atmosphere throughout the city.
On a Brazilian Christmas dinner, plenty of food, a mixture of flavors, and wonderful dishes, from traditional roasts to typical regional dishes.
It’s a time of connection, where we celebrate life, family, and hope. Christmas in Brazil is a festival of many colors, flavors, and emotions, and everyone is welcome to join in our warm celebration of Christmas.
All About Christmas in Brazil
Papai Noel
In Brazil, Santa Claus is a much-loved figure, as he is in many other parts of the world. He is portrayed as an elderly man with a white beard and wearing a characteristic red and white costume.
However, as Brazil has a tropical climate and it’s not cold like the North Pole some adaptations need to be made to his clothing. Instead of heavy wool suits, the good old man is depicted wearing lighter clothes, such as silk fabrics. After all, it’s very hot here in the summer, so Santa needs to be comfortable in the summer heat.
In the town where I live, the local shopkeepers get together and hand out sweets to the children. Santa Claus sits on top of a van and everyone follows him in a sort of “motorcade”, going from neighborhood to neighborhood to hand out sweets and also to wish everyone a happy Christmas.
I love it, it’s lovely to see the children so happy to get their sweets.
All About Christmas in Brazil
Religious Celebrations in Brazil
The religious celebrations of Christmas in Brazil are marked by rituals and traditions that reflect the rich cultural and religious diversity we have in the country.
In Catholic churches, the celebrations usually begin with the Mass of the Rooster, held at midnight on Christmas Eve to commemorate the birth of Christ. During this ceremony, the faithful gather to sing, listen to sermons, and participate in communion, remembering the true meaning of Christmas.
In addition to all the religious activities, many communities organize their own live nativity scenes, where the faithful re-enact the birth of Jesus with similar costumes and special scenery.
In some regions, such as the south of Brazil, it is very common to have Christmas novenas, which always precede Christmas.
Basically, it consists of a series of nine days of prayers and devotions that we do, we choose nine homes of the members of the novena group to hold the meetings, and on the last day of the novena, we have a get-together with everyone who took part.
In addition to formal religious practices, Christmas in Brazil is also a time of solidarity and generosity. Many churches and organizations hold campaigns to collect clothes, food, and gifts to distribute to needy families, further reinforcing the spirit of love for others and compassion.
Regardless of regional and religious differences, Christmas in Brazil is a very special date, as I believe it unites people around values such as faith, hope, and fraternity, making Christmas a truly meaningful celebration throughout the country.
All About Christmas in Brazil
Christmas decorations in Brazil
Christmas decorations in Brazil are diverse and colorful, and they reflect the joy and festive spirit of Christmas. In many cities, streets, squares, and homes are decorated with bright lights, here in Brazil we call them “pisca-pisca”, colorful ornaments and themed figures, creating a magical atmosphere that enchants adults and especially children.
In homes, it’s very common to find Christmas trees decorated with lots of colorful balls, bows, ribbons and fairy lights, artificial snow.
In addition, nativity scenes are a common sight, with figures depicting the story of Jesus’ birth. In my family, it’s a tradition to set up a nativity scene, often complemented by natural elements such as moss and foliage.
In urban areas, more specifically in major cities and shopping malls, Christmas decorations are much more elaborate and extravagant. Huge, illuminated trees, sculptures of Santa Claus, reindeer, and other Christmas symbols are displayed in public spaces to create a festive atmosphere.
In some regions of the country, such as here in the South, it is also common to find decorations inspired by local cultures, such as angels made from papier-mรขchรฉ (papier-mรขchรฉ is a handmade mass that consists of shaping objects using shredded or torn paper mixed with glue, forming a malleable mass.
This mass is then molded and shaped according to the desired form and left to dry until it becomes hard and resistant). There are also natural pine trees and ornaments made from recycled materials.
In short, Christmas decorations in Brazil are a vibrant expression of creativity and festive spirit, transforming the environment around us into an enchanted setting during the Christmas season.
13th Salary
The thirteenth salary is an additional payment Brazilian people receive, usually in December, around Christmas Day. This extra payment corresponds to a full monthly salary and is a way of rewarding workers for all their efforts throughout the year.
The thirteenth salary is often used by people for additional expenses at the end of the year, to buying Christmas presents, paying bills, and other expenses. This additional salary is an important source of financial support for many Brazilian families during the end-of-year festivities.
All About Christmas in Brazil
Christmas foods
Roast Turkey
Turkey is a large bird traditionally associated with Christmas celebrations in Brazil. Before roasting, the turkey is seasoned with a mixture of herbs, garlic, lemon, and other spices to taste.
The turkey is stuffed with farofa, chestnuts, and dried fruit to add flavor and keep the meat moist during cooking. The turkey is roasted in the oven until the skin is golden and crispy, and the meat inside is juicy and well-cooked.
Tender
Tenderloin is a type of smoked ham that is a popular choice on many families’ Christmas dinner tables. Before being baked, the tender can be decorated with cloves, which give it a distinctive and decorative flavor.
The tender can also be glazed with a mixture of brown sugar, honey, mustard, and citrus juice, creating a sweet, caramelized coating. Finally, the tender is roasted in the oven, tender and juicy, with a deliciously smoky and sweet taste.
Chester
Chester is a bird similar to chicken but with juicier and tastier meat. Like turkey, Chester can also be seasoned with a variety of spices and herbs before going into the oven. Chester is a popular choice for those looking for an alternative to the traditional turkey, as it offers tasty, tender meat with fewer bones and is easier to prepare.
Codfish
Cod is a main course option for Christmas dinner and is more common in coastal regions of Brazil. There are several codfish recipes. Cod is usually desalted before preparation and then boiled, grilled, or baked with olive oil, garlic, onions, and potatoes, among other ingredients. It is a popular dish due to its firm texture and remarkable flavor and is accompanied by white rice and salads.
Pork Shank
Pork shank is another juicy and tasty meat option for Christmas dinner. The pork shank is seasoned with a mixture of garlic, fresh or dried herbs, pepper, lemon juice, and other spices to taste.
Before roasting, the shank can be marinated for a few hours or even overnight so that the flavors penetrate the meat more. The shank is roasted slowly in the oven until the meat is tender and juicy, with a golden crust that is crispy on the outside.
Farofa
A must-have at Christmas dinner in Brazil, farofa is sautรฉed with chopped onion and garlic in butter before adding cassava flour to the pan.
After browning lightly, ingredients such as bacon, raisins, chopped chestnuts, and seasonings to taste, such as salt and pepper, are added. The farofa is then mixed until well incorporated and served as an accompaniment to the main supper dishes.
All About Christmas in Brazil
Popular Christmas Desserts
French toast
Rabanada is a traditional Christmas dessert made with slices of bread soaked in a mixture of milk, eggs, and sugar. The slices of bread are then fried in hot oil until they are golden and crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. After frying, the French toast is sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon, adding a special touch of flavor and aroma.
Panettone
Panettone is a sweet bread that we eat during Christmas in Brazil. Made with a very light and soft dough, traditional panettone is usually filled with candied fruit and raisins. It is common to serve slices of panettone with a cup of coffee or tea after Christmas dinner.
Chocotone
A gourmet version of panettone, chocotone is made by adding chocolate to the dough, giving it a rich flavor and a softer, moister texture. Chunks of chocolate or chocolate drops are then incorporated into the dough, giving a delicious and unique contrast to the sweet and fruity taste of the panettone. Chocotone is a popular dessert here in Brazil, enjoyed by people of all ages.
Seasonal Fruit
On Brazilian tables, some families also put fresh seasonal fruit, such as grapes, strawberries, mangoes, pineapples and watermelons. We prepare these fruits cut into pieces and also as fruit salads, adding a touch of color and freshness to the table.
Pavรช
Pave is made up of alternating layers of cookies and cream. There are countless variations of paving, some of the most popular being chocolate pave, strawberry pave and vanilla pave. It can also be decorated with chocolate shavings, fresh fruit, or whipped cream, so it appeals to all tastes.
Condensed milk pudding
Condensed milk pudding is a classic dessert, I LOVE it, it’s a hit at any time of year. Made with a base of condensed milk, eggs, and sugar, the pudding is cooked in a bain-marie until it is firm and caramelized on top. When we unmold it, the pudding reveals its beauty and irresistible flavor, making it a popular choice to end Christmas dinner on a high note.
Secret Friend (Amigo Secreto)
Secret Santa in Brazil is a popular game played during the Christmas feast. It works as follows: A group of friends, family members, or work colleagues decide to take part in the secret friend an organizer is chosen to coordinate the activity.
All the participants write their names on slips of paper which are folded and placed in a ballot box. Each participant then takes out a piece of paper, which contains the name of the person who will be their “secret friend”. During the specified period, the participants buy presents for their “secret friends”.
We usually include clues to make the game more exciting. On the agreed day for the exchange of gifts, the participants gather at a chosen location. Then each person hands over the gift to their “secret friend”.
All About Christmas in Brazil: Merry Christmas (Feliz Natal)
In short, Brazilian Christmas traditions are pure fun and excitement, reflecting the cultural mix we have here. It’s a time to get the entire family, enjoy delicious food, and exchange gifts, of course!
With its parties, suppers and unique traditions, such as the famous Secret Santa, Christmas here is full of human warmth, laughter, and special moments.
It’s that time of year when the lights twinkle, the music plays and everyone feels closer, celebrating together what really matters love and togetherness.
