Christmas in Chile (called “Navidad“) is an affair with distinct customs and plenty of food. Since the Southern Hemisphere celebrates Christmas in the summer, Chileans put up lights and decorations around their houses and cities while enjoying outdoor activities like barbecues and trips to the beach for a swim. La Nochebuena, or Christmas Eve, is the most important day of the celebration since it is when gifts are given and people go to Mass and sing songs. Yeast, marzipan, and crystallized fruit are the ingredients of the traditional Pan de Pasqua bread, while the drink “cola de mono” (coffee, milk, sugar, and Chilean whiskey) is another Christmas staple. Chilean Christmases are a bit different because of these unique traditions.
Christmas Traditions in Chile
According to a 2022 survey, around 88% of Chileans are Christians (mainly Catholic) and in a 2019 survey, 96% of the believers said they celebrate Christmas. A high percentage of citizens in Chile celebrate Christmas as a religious festival. Some of the most important Chilean Christmas customs are as follows:
- Noche Buena: “Noche Buena,” or Christmas Eve, is the holiest day of the Chilean Christmas season. Around 9 or 10 o’clock in the evening, people get together for a large dinner. Chicken, turkey, hog, and barbecue (asado) are common ingredients for this dinner. People savor the “Pan de Pascua” dessert and the “Cola de Mono” (monkey’s tail) drink.
- Decorations: The Christmas season in Chile isn’t complete without the traditional decorations. Chilean homes are decorated with fake trees and the country’s largest plazas have enormous trees adorned with nativity scenes and ornaments. While Nativity displays are commonplace, many Chilean houses also have Christmas lights and decorations.
- Viejito Pascuero: You may hear Santa Claus in Chile referred to as “Viejito Pascuero” or “Papa Noel.” He generally only stands out for youngsters.
- Midnight Gift Exchange: Instead of opening presents on Christmas morning, Chileans gather around the tree at midnight on Christmas Eve, or “La Noche Buena,” to exchange gifts.
- Christmas Day: On Christmas Day, you may kick back and enjoy a day with loved ones and you may also visit the beach if they live near it.
Why Santa Claus is Called Viejito Pascuero in Chile
According to the historian Cristián Salazar, the concept originated in the toy store of the Krauss brothers, called Bazar Alemán. In 1905, a figure of Santa Claus was displayed in the showcase. That’s where the name ‘Viejito Pascuero’ (“Old Pascuero”) was born because he was an elderly man, and since they call Christmas ‘Pascua’ (Easter), they added ‘Pascuero’ to it.
Thus, the name Viejito Pascuero was born from the collective imagination, who, according to Chilean legend, lives at the North Pole with his wife, where he spends the year making toys with the help of his elves. There, he receives letters from children asking for Christmas gifts. And when the time comes, he loads his sleigh, stopping at each Chilean house to bring joy on December 24th.
Christmas Foods and Drinks in Chile
Traditional Chilean dishes and beverages reflect the country’s summertime Christmas celebrations. The following are examples of them:
- Asado: Turkey, hog, and chicken are typical ingredients in Christmas barbecues, which are a popular method of preparing the holiday dinner.
- Pan de Pascua: During the holiday season, Chileans eat Pan de Pascua, a traditional Christmas cake that is reminiscent of Panettone.
- Cola de Mono: A traditional Christmas drink in Chile, cola de mono is a blend of coffee, milk, liquor, and spicy seasonings. This refreshing beverage is perfect when the weather is nice in the summer.
- Ponche de Chirimoya: White wine, sugar, and chirimoya (custard apples) make up this classic Chilean cocktail.
- Leche Asada: A classic Christmas dessert in Chile, Leche Asada is like flan in texture and flavor.
- Pisco Sour: Chileans like drinking pisco sour cocktails at Christmas, which are cocktails prepared with pisco, lemon juice, and sugar.
- Borgona: During the holiday season, they also like drinking Borgona, a cocktail prepared with strawberries and red wine.
- Alfajores: For Christmastime, Chileans love eating alfajores, a classic biscuit filled with dulce de leche and dusted with powdered sugar.
- Seasonal Fruit: One traditional dessert offered at Christmas is fresh summer fruit.
- Seafood: If you are able to do so, seafood is a typical Christmas meal in Chile.
Christmas Decorations in Chile
Pine trees are in short supply during the summer months in Chile; therefore, many Chileans choose to use artificial trees or decorate their front yards and hallways with Christmas lights. In the heart of city centers, you might see enormous Christmas trees adorned with rag dolls; one such plaza is Santiago’s Plaza de Armas.
In Chile, nativity scenes are a classic part of holiday décor and even the public spaces include them. Santiago, the capital of Chile, has a massive, sculptured tree in its main square. Even though it’s hot in Chile right now, the holiday spirit is clearly alive and well.
Places to Visit in Chile at Christmas
With its one-of-a-kind combination of traditional celebrations and summer activities, Chile is a stunning destination to visit over Christmas. Some potential locations for you to explore are as follows:
- Santiago: Nativity figures, Christmas trees, and lights beautify Santiago. Places like Plaza de Armas exude a celebratory vibe as you go through them.
- Valparaiso: This seaside city is about a 90-minute bus journey from Santiago. In December, just before Christmas, it hosts a Cultural Carnival. Additionally, Valparaiso is known for its New Year’s Eve festivities, which include street parties and fireworks at midnight.
- Beach: Chileans take advantage of the summer weather by visiting the beach. Valparaíso is among the top beach resorts in Chile. Consider Las Salinas or Playa Reñaca as alternative beach destinations for Christmas.
- Andacollo: If you’re seeking a change of scenery, go north to the city of Andacollo, which is famous for its Festival of the Virgen of Andacollo, which takes place from December 24th to the 26th.
- Patagonian Spots: During the southern region, when high temperatures stay in the 50s, destinations such as Punta Arenas, Puerto Natales, Torres del Paine National Park, Isla Magdalena, and Tierra del Fuego are fit for a visit.
History of Christmas in Chile
Ferdinand Magellan first landed on the shores of Chile in 1520, and Spanish conquest followed soon after. Chile has celebrated Christmas ever since the arrival of the Spaniards, primarily in Catholic households. Santiago, in particular, is known for its abundance of Christmas decorations, making it one of the South American nations that has been most affected by American culture. The Spaniards taught Chileans to celebrate the birth of Jesus by attending a midnight mass. This tradition still continues today, and it is called Misa del Gallo. The traditions associated with Christmas in Chile share similarities with those in the United States.