Christmas is one of the most popular holiday seasons in the world and millions celebrate it every year and while we have already seen how Christmas is celebrated in Mexico and Christmas in Spain, today we are going to see how Christmas is celebrated in Peru.
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Christmas in Peru
Peru is a South American country that also celebrates Christmas with its own tradition. Christmas traditions and customs in Peru are not like those observed in other countries of the world. This is because, historically, Peruvians have mixed indigenous and Catholic beliefs.
History of Christmas in Peru
Christmas has become an American tradition; appropriate for all seasons. The holiday is full of traditions that are celebrated all over the world.
There are many traditions associated with Christmas that vary from country to country. For example, in Peru it is a time to gather and share with family and friends. An opportunity to gather family and friends while enjoying long festive lunches with good food and drink.
We should remember that Don José Carlos Mariátegui, in 1925, wrote a short essay on the subject, entitled “Divagación de Navidad”, where he stated that “Humanity, which is so rapidly becoming internationalized, does not yet have a universal, ecumenical feast. Christmas is a feast of the Christian world, of the Western world. The New Year is a feast of the peoples who use the Gregorian calendar”.
Christmas traditions in Peru that you may not know about
As in any country, there are many traditions associated with Christmas. But in Peru, the 24th is actually the main celebration, and the 25th can seem pretty deserted in the city. If you want to celebrate like the locals do, you’ll have to stay up until midnight on the 24th.
Once you’ve made it that far, you’ll usually enjoy hot chocolate and a baked turkey, That’s paramount. whether it’s a turkey dinner or roast pork at 12 am! You’ll also hear the fireworks going off all over town. It’s actually quite exciting, and if you’re in a place with festive decorations, you can really feel good.
The Paneton
In Peru, the most popular tradition is to make a Christmas tree, decorated with ornaments, lights and gifts of different shapes and sizes. But then the famous “Panetón” that should not be missed on Christmas Eve.
Panettone is an exquisite variation of the traditional panettone: a sweet bread with candied peel, cherries and almonds.
This Italian Christmas bread is often baked in the oven in different levels to create a distinctive look. The most common way to bake it is by first making an oblong dough cake that is then shaped into a dome and decorated with candied fruit, nuts and sugar.
Some families may also start the evening with a panettone on the table, a fruity Christmas cake and hot chocolate to warm it up for the night. The 25th is usually spent the night before and leftovers are eaten.
Christmas in Cusco Peru
Cusco is a great place to celebrate Christmas because of its local traditions and festive atmosphere.
There are a few traditions and things we recommend you try to make the most of its climate. Enjoy the atmosphere of this wonderful city and enjoy what it has to offer. Also, plan ahead as the city can be quite congested and you don’t want to miss Christmas dinner at a restaurant or spend New Year’s Day in Machu Picchu.
Christmas in Lima
In Lima, people mostly celebrate Christmas with their families. Everyone gathers on December 24 to decorate the house and prepare the table for the night. Other families celebrate in restaurants and cafes to enjoy a delicious Christmas party. Everyone waits for midnight to watch the fireworks and children open their presents around the Christmas tree.
If you plan to spend Christmas in Lima, you can stroll along the avenues and districts where there is a lot of decoration around downtown Lima, Miraflores and San Isidro. You can also go to see the traditional Nutcracker at the Municipal Theater of Lima or enjoy the fireworks at the Malecon.
Conclusion
Christmas is a great time all over the world and it is undoubtedly one of the most awaited dates by the billions of people on earth, a time of love, a time of peace, a time of celebrations. Happy Holidays
