Did you know that Puerto Rico has one of the longest holiday seasons in the world?
Known as la Navidad, Puerto Rico’s Holiday season stretches from late November, just after Thanksgiving, all the way through mid-January, culminating in the vibrant Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastián, commonly referred to as la SanSe, in Old San Juan. Holiday season in Puerto Rico features traditions like Misas de Aguinaldo, late-night music parrandas, Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) feasts, Día de los Reyes on January 6th, and iconic drinks & foods like coquito, pasteles, and lechón.
The festivities often kick off right after the US Thanksgiving holiday, with early morning Misas de Aguinaldo (Christmas masses) and decorations appearing island-wide.
Christmas Eve & Parrandas in Puerto Rico
Parrandas, the Puerto Rican version of Christmas caroling, is another tradition common throughout the holidays with families & friends surprising neighbors with music — singing, instruments, dancing — at night, creating lively neighborhood celebrations.
Nochebuena, or Christmas Eve, is often the main family celebration here in Puerto Rico, rather than Christmas Day, with large family gatherings & dinners, gift exchanges, parrandas, and midnight mass, or Misa de Gallo.
New Year’s Eve in Puerto Rico
The New Year is always a celebration in Puerto Rico. According to this article by Discover Puerto Rico, some of the most common Puerto Rican traditions to welcome el Año Nuevo are: to jump into the ocean backwards at midnight to ward off bad spirits, toss water out of the window to drive away evil spirits, and, from Spanish-origin, to eat 12 grapes by the stroke of midnight. There are usually a lot of parties & celebrations on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day!
And while many of our American friends go back to school and work shortly after the New Year, continúa la Navidad en Puerto Rico!
Three Kings’ Day & The Largest Festival in Puerto Rico
El Día de los Reyes Magos, Three Kings’ Day on January 6th is another major celebration with children picking & leaving grass out for the camels the night of January 5th and waking the next morning to gifts left by the Three Kings. The town of Juana Díaz, on the southern coast of the island, hosts a famous parade.
While a few might argue that Three Kings’ Day is the official end of the Holiday season in Puerto Rico, many agree that La Navidad continues another eight days after Three Kings’ Day, known as Las Octavitas, culminating in a multi-day cultural festival in Old San Juan filled with music, parades, dancing, artisan markets and delicious local food. This festival is known as Las Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastián, Puerto Rico’s largest and most concurred festival!
Experience La Navidad Boricua
A unique blend of tropical weather, rich cultural traditions, vibrant music, and incredible food, the Holidays in Puerto Rico offer a festive experience unlike anywhere else in the world! It’s never too early to begin planning your holiday vacation for next year. When you book with us at Maria’s Luxury Villa, our onsite concierge can help you plan the perfect vacation for you and your family, friends, or retreat.
When you’re ready to stay with us, booking is done through Twin Palms, Maria’s rental, and onsite management. Please visit our booking page on this website to view the availability of Maria’s and fill out our convenient contact form. If you have any additional questions regarding Maria’s, you may call Elizabeth at 787-685-6648 (español: Cristina at 787-449-3673).
My husband and I had our wedding and reception at Maria’s. We rented the property for three days/nights. We wanted to make our destination wedding as accessible as possible for our family and friends. Maria’s was the perfect place. Twelve of our closest friends and family shared the house. I was so impressed that Maria’s had everything we needed, even little things like laundry detergent.