What does Argentine Christmas look like? Hay for the horses in front of the door and peacocks on the table!

Argentina is a country known for its tango, diverse landscapes, and good cuisine. If you’re curious about how Argentinians celebrate Christmas, you’ve come to the right place!

One of the most important days in Argentine Christmas is Nochebuena, or Christmas Eve, which falls on December 24. This day is marked by the giving of gifts and a traditional Christmas dinner.

What are globos?

Why is cotton wool an important “Christmas prop”?

Let’s discover together how Christmas is celebrated in Argentina.

When is Christmas celebrated in Argentina?

The holiday preparations in Argentina begin on December 8 with the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary, which is also when the Christmas tree is usually decorated.

As a predominantly Catholic country, many families attend church on December 24 for the midnight Misa del Gallo.

After the mass, they release colorful paper lanterns with small candles, known as globos, into the sky. The globos are followed by an impressive fireworks display.

Nochebuena is the name of Christmas Eve in Latin American countries, including Argentina. December 24th is the most crucial day for Argentine Christmas. Christmas dinner is held, and people give each other presents.

As Argentina is located in the southern hemisphere, Christmas is the beginning of the summer holidays for many. Spanish is mainly spoken in the country, so Merry Christmas is called Feliz Navidad.

Do you know Argentine Christmas traditions?

Christmas in Argentina is celebrated a little less commercially than in Western countries. They don’t sing carols here, the radios don’t play Christmas songs 24 hours a day, but many Christmas customs and traditions are similar.

Argentina is a very Catholic country. Many families attend church on December 24 for the midnight Misa del Gallo. After mass, they release the so-called globos into the sky. These are colorful paper lanterns with small candles that look a bit like Chinese lanterns. What is the origin and meaning of globos? At the end, there is an impressive fireworks display.

What are the Argentinean Christmas symbols?

One of the typical symbols of Argentine Christmas is the Christmas tree. You will see it in public spaces such as squares, shops, and shopping centers as early as the end of November.

Families decorate on December 8. Artificial trees are much more common in Argentina than real trees. They can also be in colors other than green, for example, white or blue. They are often decorated with white cotton balls to imitate snow.

Argentinians will put up with more Christmas decorations. They decorate the houses with green, gold, and red garlands and the entrance door with a wreath of white flowers. There is also a nativity scene. All decorations and trees remain until January 6, Día de los Reyes Magos, or Three Kings.

Another Christmas custom in this South American country is the lottery, which usually occurs between December 22 and 28. The main prize is Gordo de Navidad, which is 15 million pesos.

Who brings the children’s presents?

On December 24 and 25 nights, gifts are distributed and unwrapped. While everyone is outside watching the fireworks, one of the adults puts the presents under the Christmas tree. When the children return, they are happy to receive gifts from Papa Noel or El Niño Diós, Santa Claus.

More gifts for the children await on January 6. In the early evening of January 5, children bring high boots to the door to receive gifts from the Three Kings in them overnight. As refreshments for the holy horses, called magi, they also put hay and water in front of the door. In some families, shoes are not placed in front of the door but under the bed or the Christmas tree.

What do Argentinians eat at Christmas?

For Argentines, family is everything. This explains the huge family Christmas Eve dinner hosted by whoever has the most prominent house. The meal usually starts at 10 pm and is often held outside in the garden when the weather is good.

You will find a wide selection of meat, pastries, and desserts on richly laid tables. Peacock feathers are a traditional part of Christmas table decorations, and in connection with that, some families also serve roasted peacocks as one of the courses.

Common dishes include asado, a variety of grilled meats, vitel toné or veal with tuna cream, deviled eggs, tuna sandwiches and other sides, stuffed tomatoes, and a wide variety of salads.

The table is complemented by traditional desserts such as pan dulce, sweet yeast dough filled with nuts and dried fruit, ensalada de fruta con helado, i.e., fruit salad with ice cream, arrapiñada de maní or caramelized peanuts, mantel, which is a soft nougat peanut based.

To drink, sparkling cider, champagne, wine, and spirits are served.

What places to visit in Argentina at Christmas?

Argentina is a very exotic and unusual country for us. If you decide to spend Christmas in Argentina, you can look forward to the summer weather and the unusual Christmas atmosphere associated with it.

• Buenos Aires, the capital city, attracts visitors with its Christmas decorations and lighting of the historic districts of Montserrat and San Telmo. After midnight on Christmas Day, the center fills up with young people celebrating in the streets to music. You can also see traditional Argentine tango performances on the roads. Football lovers should not miss the La Boca neighborhood.

• Iguazu Falls, located on the border of the Argentine province of Misiones and the Brazilian state of Paraná, are the widest waterfalls in the world. They are listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, and they have the reputation of being the most beautiful waterfalls in the world.