Cultural Traditions and Holidays
What are the traditions and holidays of Latin America? Do they celebrate the same holidays that we do in the United States? Are there differences in how we celebrate the same holiday? Find out the answers to these questions and more on this page.
This site gives a brief overview of Latin American holidays but if you click the name of the holiday, it will take you to more in-depth details, pictures, and links. Enjoy!
El Día de Los Muertos
El día de los muertos, the day of the dead, is November 1 and 2. It is a time of celebration but also of remembrance for those who have died. It can be sad to remember those who have died but these two days are days of celebration in remembering the good times. There are candy skeletons and skulls and people who dress up as skeletons but it is meant as fun, not scary like we think of it here for Halloween. All family members come together to celebrate this holiday: kids, teens, parents, grandparents, everyone!
La Navidad en México
La navidad is Christmas. This holiday is celebrated all the way from December 9 through February 2! Christmas decorations show up in stores long before this though. La navidad is full of traditions. These include la piñata, las posadas (going door to door for 9 nights reenacting the journey of Mary and Joseph), traditional foods, the decorations and when to put Jesus in the manger (on Christmas day at midnight), el día de los reyes (three kings day) which is January 6 and is when gifts are given, la rosca de reyes (a bread/cake with a plastic Jesus doll hidden in it - whoever gets the piece with Jesus hosts a party on February 2), the story of la poinsettia flower (la flor de nochebuena), and "el día de los santos inocentes" (which is like April fool's day) on December 28. La navidad is one of the most widely celebrated holidays in Latin America.
El Día de San Valentín
El día de San Valentín is also known as El día de los enamorados or El día del amor y la amistad. Valentine's day has become very commercialized in the United States, and it is becoming increasingly so in Latin America as well. Follow the link to find out more about El día de San Valentín.
Las Pascuas
Las Pascuas is an Easter celebration. Find out more about the cultural celebrations of Latin America and Spain for Las Pascuas and Semana Santa, the week leading up to Easter.
El Cinco de Mayo
El Cinco de Mayo, the fifth of May, is NOT Mexico's Independence Day. (Mexican Independence day is September 16.) Find out what Cinco de Mayo really celebrates on this page.
This site gives a brief overview of Latin American holidays but if you click the name of the holiday, it will take you to more in-depth details, pictures, and links. Enjoy!
El Día de Los Muertos
El día de los muertos, the day of the dead, is November 1 and 2. It is a time of celebration but also of remembrance for those who have died. It can be sad to remember those who have died but these two days are days of celebration in remembering the good times. There are candy skeletons and skulls and people who dress up as skeletons but it is meant as fun, not scary like we think of it here for Halloween. All family members come together to celebrate this holiday: kids, teens, parents, grandparents, everyone!
La Navidad en México
La navidad is Christmas. This holiday is celebrated all the way from December 9 through February 2! Christmas decorations show up in stores long before this though. La navidad is full of traditions. These include la piñata, las posadas (going door to door for 9 nights reenacting the journey of Mary and Joseph), traditional foods, the decorations and when to put Jesus in the manger (on Christmas day at midnight), el día de los reyes (three kings day) which is January 6 and is when gifts are given, la rosca de reyes (a bread/cake with a plastic Jesus doll hidden in it - whoever gets the piece with Jesus hosts a party on February 2), the story of la poinsettia flower (la flor de nochebuena), and "el día de los santos inocentes" (which is like April fool's day) on December 28. La navidad is one of the most widely celebrated holidays in Latin America.
El Día de San Valentín
El día de San Valentín is also known as El día de los enamorados or El día del amor y la amistad. Valentine's day has become very commercialized in the United States, and it is becoming increasingly so in Latin America as well. Follow the link to find out more about El día de San Valentín.
Las Pascuas
Las Pascuas is an Easter celebration. Find out more about the cultural celebrations of Latin America and Spain for Las Pascuas and Semana Santa, the week leading up to Easter.
El Cinco de Mayo
El Cinco de Mayo, the fifth of May, is NOT Mexico's Independence Day. (Mexican Independence day is September 16.) Find out what Cinco de Mayo really celebrates on this page.
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