Learn Portuguese: How to Brazilians Celebrate Christmas?

In Brazil, Christmas is a very big deal. It is celebrated on December 25th, right in the middle of summer (in the southern hemisphere). Because it’s a very hot time of year, many holiday traditions in Brazil are tropical–such as decorating your Christmas tree with fresh flowers, barbecuing outside, and dressing Santa Claus (Papai Noel) in red silk instead of heavy wool. In Rio de Janeiro, Santa Claus visits the shopping malls so that the children can tell him what they want for Christmas. In the Lagoa Rodrigo Freitas, a large man-made lake, there’s a big metal Christmas tree and fireworks to light up the warm December nights.

Brazilians gather their families at Christmas, especially for Christmas Eve Dinner. Caroling is quite a popular custom in Brazil. Various Christmas carols are sung to commemorate the birth of Christ. “Noite Feliz” (“Silent Night”) is probably the song most associated with Christmas in Brazil:

FELIZ NATAL!

Brazil is largely Catholic, and so is its celebration of Christmas:

• Devout Catholics attend midnight mass or “Missa do Galo.” The mass has this name because the rooster (galo) announces the arrival of Christmas day.
• Christmas masses are mostly late afternoon because most Brazilians enjoy sleeping late after the Christmas Eve dinner or going to the beach where there are fireworks and a big churrasco (Barbecue)
• Brazilians continue dancing, singing, and celebrating until January 6th, Three Kings Day.

For more information about Brazilian Christmas celebrations, read this article. And Feliz Natal! (Merry Christmas!)

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