Christmas in El Salvador is a holiday full of customs and traditions; it includes family gatherings, cooking unique foods, setting off fireworks, attending church, and creating nativity scenes. These Christmas celebrations are a significant part of the country’s culture that has been passed on for generations.
Salvadorans celebrate Christmas on the 24th at midnight; however, this is almost a month-long celebration for many. Christmas in El Salvador is all about customs and traditions. Some popular rituals during this holiday are family gatherings, cooking unique foods, setting fireworks, and creating nativity scenes (Los Nacimientos.)
Another popular custom in the country is “El Estreno” for Christmas eve, which is just wearing something new. It does not matter what it is, shoes, pants, shirts, skirts, or dresses. Also, taking a trip to the beach on the 25th is a popular tradition for Salvadorans.
- How is Christmas Celebrated in El Salvador?
- Family Gathering During the Christmas Holidays
- Traditional and Unique Foods for Christmas
- The Fireworks During Christmas Celebrations
- Los Nacimientos or Nativity Scenes
- Sence of Community During Christmas in El Salvador
- Other Christmas Traditions in El Salvador
How is Christmas celebrated in El Salvador?
Traditional Christmas celebrations in El Salvador are done with the entire family and close friends. On Christmas eve, families attend mass together, then return home to a traditional family dinner and continue the holiday celebrations. These celebrations include traditional Salvadoran food and drinks prepared specially for this occasion.
Family gathering during the Christmas holidays
Family gatherings are one of the best traditions in the country during the Christmas holidays. Salvadorans travel long distances to be with loved ones during these holiday celebrations.
During December, the International airport in El Salvador gets extra busy. Salvadorans living abroad take this time to travel to the country and spend time with family and friends.
Salvadoran families do different things during Christmas gatherings. For example, some families attend religious activities together. Other families stay at home, play traditional music, dance, hang out, and talk to each other.
Every Salvadoran family during this holiday has its unique way of spending the celebration. By the way, Christmas family gatherings are great to see relatives that you haven’t seen all year or even longer.
Traditional and unique foods for Christmas
Another popular aspect of Salvadoran Christmas traditions is cooking typical Salvadoran foods and unique family recipes. Families go out of their way to cook these tasty foods throughout the December holidays.
Some traditional foods prepared for Christmas are Tamales, Pan con Pollo, and Quesadillas; these foods are prepared in larger quantities as they serve a few purposes.
These foods, prepared in large quantities, are there for anyone visiting during the holidays. Showing up unannounced at friends’ or relatives’ homes is customary in Salvadoran culture. Also, these foods are given as gifts to relatives and neighbors.
On the other hand, specific or unique family recipes are prepared in lesser quantities and shared with the immediate family and close friends. Most families eat this meal together at dinner on the 24th. Some examples of these recipes are Lomo Relleno, Lasagna, Roasted Chicken, etc.
When it comes to specific foods for Christmas dinner, each family decides what they want to prepare. The cooking of these traditional Salvadoran foods is a tradition that makes this holiday better in El Salvador.
The fireworks during Christmas celebrations
Fireworks are a big part of Christmas in El Salvador; these fireworks are set off at any point during December. The country has almost no restrictions when it comes to lighting fireworks.
The sound of fireworks going off during December is a normal thing to hear during the year-end holidays. Salvadorans set up fireworks all over the country and at all hours.
The big event with lots of traditional fireworks takes place on Christmas eve, right before midnight. The chaotic sound of fireworks being set up all over the place is best experienced in person. During this time, the streets get filled with smoke, and the smell of burned powder is intense.
Christmas fireworks are a tradition that has caused controversy over the last few years. The country has almost no laws regarding who, where, what type, and when these fireworks can be set off. Therefore, the number of firework-related injuries during Christmas is alarming.
Every year, during the Christmas holidays, many people get injured, especially children. Most of the injuries reported are severe burns; however, more critical injuries occur often, including loss of fingers or even death. Even with all the controversies, setting off fireworks is a Christmas tradition enjoyed by Salvadorans of any age all over the country.
Los Nacimientos or nativity scenes
Salvadoran families take the nativity scenes or Los Nacimientos seriously. Some families spend days setting up their nativity scenes to impress others.
Native scenes are different in each house. They can be modest setups that include images of baby Jesus and the Virgin Mary. To complex nativity scenes that include fountains, light shows, and more.
The Salvadoran nativity scenes are a Christmas tradition that makes this holiday more attractive. Additionally, municipalities and catholic churches create their own Nativity scenes.
Sence of community during Christmas in El Salvador
The Christmas Holidays bring a sense of community to El Salvador. During this holiday, members of communities or neighborhoods go the extra mile to be more inclusive of each other.
For instance, many people in these communities give away traditional foods they have prepared to neighbors as gifts. Additionally, at midnight on the 24th, after the customary hug has been shared among family members, people go into the street, hug neighbors, and wish them a merry Christmas.
Although this tradition is in decline, it is still visible, especially in smaller municipalities. Embracing others in the community during Christmas is a pleasant Salvadoran tradition worth doing.
Other Christmas traditions in El Salvador
El Salvador has many other Christmas traditions that make this holiday even more special. Not everyone in the country follows them; however, they are worth mentioning.
Dancing to La Bala Song
La Bala is a classic song popular on Christmas eve. It is an upbeat song by the “Los Hermanos Flores” group that Salvadorans, especially the older generation like to dance to at some point during the night. Play the following video to hear this popular song.
Dancing all night long.
Salvadorans love to dance, and most of them take this opportunity to show their dancing moves to family and friends. It is typical for Salvadoran households to play classical dancing Christmas songs throughout the night. The following song by Los Hermanos Flores is a popular song among Salvadorans.
Going to the Beach on December 25th
Salvadorans celebrate Christmas on the 24th at midnight. Therefore, taking a trip to the beach on the 25th is a popular tradition for Salvadorans. The most popular beaches in El Salvador get crowded on December 25th.
El Estreno on Christmas Eve
El Estreno is just wearing something new for Christmas eve; it does not matter what it is, shoes, pants, shirts, skirts, dresses, etc. Many Salvadorans will make sure to wear something new (Estrenar) on Christmas eve.
Eating Recalentados (Leftover food)
Recalentados is a Spanish word for leftover food. Since families prepare so much food for Christma eve; and get food from family or neighbors, there is plenty of excess food to eat for days.
Christmas in El Salvador
Christmas in El Salvador is one of the most popular holidays in the country, and for good reasons. It involves family, friends, and traditions that go back a long time. These traditions are what make Christmas in El Salvador special. They are part of the Salvadoran culture.
Salvadorans of all ages look forward to spending time with family, eating tasty food, and setting off fireworks. Spending Christmas in El Salvador is a fantastic experience.
