Text by Ayleen Anqueira/Photos by Ronald C. Flores
In Puerto Rico the holiday season is the perfect
fusion of Caribbean traditions and U.S. mainland customs so it’s no surprise
that local residents and visitors regard this perios as the most anticipated
time of the year. This is definitely when people come together and celebrate.
In addition, ours is the longest holiday season in the Caribbean (it begins on
Thanksgiving Day and ends in late January, with the San Sebastián Street
Festival); it is very colorful, and brings about a unique kind of cheer.
The main celebrations are hold on the following dates: Dec. 17-24 (Aguinaldo Masses featuring holiday music), Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve; Midnight Mass), Dec. 25 (Christmas), Dec. 31 (New Year’s Eve), January 1 (New Year’s Day), Jan. 5 (Eve of the Epiphany), Jan. 6 (Three Kings Day, Epiphany), Jan. 7-14 (Octavitas), Jan.7 (Holy King Melchior Fest), Jan. 8 (Holy King Gaspar Fest), Jan. 9 (Holy King Balthazar Fest), and Jan. 16-19 (San Sebastián Street Festival).
The main celebrations are hold on the following dates: Dec. 17-24 (Aguinaldo Masses featuring holiday music), Dec. 24 (Christmas Eve; Midnight Mass), Dec. 25 (Christmas), Dec. 31 (New Year’s Eve), January 1 (New Year’s Day), Jan. 5 (Eve of the Epiphany), Jan. 6 (Three Kings Day, Epiphany), Jan. 7-14 (Octavitas), Jan.7 (Holy King Melchior Fest), Jan. 8 (Holy King Gaspar Fest), Jan. 9 (Holy King Balthazar Fest), and Jan. 16-19 (San Sebastián Street Festival).
The season’s joy and enthusiasm is present
everywhere, starting with the holiday decorations: beautiful colored lights,
poinsettias, and the classic Christmas tree. Brought together by the holiday
spirit, family and friends gather for parrandas (go caroling) from house to
house, accompanied by musical instruments such as guitars, cuatro (Puerto
Rico’s native small guitarshaped instrument), güiro (an instrument made from a
hollowed gourd with etched grooves), maracas, and clave (percussion sticks).
In Puerto Rico the delectable holiday cuisine includes dishes such as rice and pigeon peas, roast pork, green banana pasteles (a tamale-like delicacy filled with meat or chicken; thet can also be made with cassava or rice), morcillas (blood sausage), cuajito (tripe stew), pickled green bananas, green bananas and sweetbreads, and asopao (a hearty rice soup) with chicken or pigeon peas. These dishes are followed by mouthwatering desserts such as arroz con dulce (rice, raisins, and coconut milk), tembleque (coconut pudding), majarete (rice meal and coconut pudding), and local traditional sweets. And let’s not forget the season’s signature beverages: coquito (ingredients include coconut milk and rum; it is the local version of eggnog), pitorro or ron caña (flavored artisan rum), and sangria.
As anywhere else in the world, our New Year’s Eve celebration is quite boisterous, but in Puerto Rico we pair it with local traditions. On Jan. 5 (Eve of the Epiphany) children collect grass, put it in a shoebox, and slide it under their bed (so the Three Kings’ camels can have a snack after their long journey) in hopes of receiving gifts the following day, Jan. 6 (Three Kings’ Day or Epiphany).
Octavitas is the eight days that follow Three Kings’
Day and is a period where people continue parrandeando (caroling and partying).
Octavitas is followed by the San Sebastián Street Festival—and the streets of Old San Juan and surrounding areas
become the headquarters of a weekend-long massive party with parades, artisans
selling handicrafts, and numerous musical performances.
At this time of the year, most island municipalities feature live holiday music at their Holiday Decorations Light-Up events, have citywide holiday caroling, and a Three Kings’ Day celebration (as well as celebrations on key dates, Dec. 24, 25 and 31 and Jan. 1).
North
Camuy (787-898-1556) • Jan. 5: Velorio de Reyes. Includes artisans, food kiosks, a Mass, a sung Rosary, and live shows.
Arecibo (787-817-0415) • Dec. 1-Jan. 15: Fun Valley Park, Barrio Tanamá. Have fun at all the attractions during the day, and at night enjoy the light show and artificial snow starting at 6:30 p.m.
Manatí (787-854-2024) • Jan. 3: Three Kings Fest, Town Square. A
children’s event with traditional holiday music and presents for the kids.
West
San Germán (787-264-0118) • Jan. 3: Three Kings’ Festival, Town Square. A children’s event with traditional holiday music, clowns, puppets, games, fun activities, food, and presents for the kids. 1:00 p.m.
Aguada (787-868-0622) • Jan. 3: Children’s Festival, El Paraíso de los Niños Park. A children’s event with traditional holiday music, clowns, puppets, games, fun activities, food, and presents for the kids.
Aguadilla (787-891-1005) • Jan. 4: Children’s Festival. A familyoriented event with traditional holiday music, clowns, puppets, games, fun activities, food, and presents for the kids. Barrio San Antonio at 8:00 a.m. and Rafael Hernández Square at 1:00 p.m.
Mayagüez (787-265-1755) • Dec.: Holiday Caroling, different parts of town. Featuring live music shows.
Arroyo (787-839-3500) • Jan. 5: Toys Giveaway, all town sectors. A children’s event with traditional holiday music and presents for the kids.
Coamo (787-825-1150) • December all month long: Holiday Caroling, different sectors across town. A traditional caroling festivity with holiday songs.
Central
Corozal (787-859-3060) • December, all month long: Holiday Caroling, different parts of town. A traditional caroling festivity with holiday songs.
Cayey (787-263-7635) • Dec. 19 & 26: Christmas Caroling, different sectors across town. A traditional caroling festivity with holiday songs.
East
West
San Germán (787-264-0118) • Jan. 3: Three Kings’ Festival, Town Square. A children’s event with traditional holiday music, clowns, puppets, games, fun activities, food, and presents for the kids. 1:00 p.m.
Aguada (787-868-0622) • Jan. 3: Children’s Festival, El Paraíso de los Niños Park. A children’s event with traditional holiday music, clowns, puppets, games, fun activities, food, and presents for the kids.
Aguadilla (787-891-1005) • Jan. 4: Children’s Festival. A familyoriented event with traditional holiday music, clowns, puppets, games, fun activities, food, and presents for the kids. Barrio San Antonio at 8:00 a.m. and Rafael Hernández Square at 1:00 p.m.
Mayagüez (787-265-1755) • Dec.: Holiday Caroling, different parts of town. Featuring live music shows.
Arroyo (787-839-3500) • Jan. 5: Toys Giveaway, all town sectors. A children’s event with traditional holiday music and presents for the kids.
Coamo (787-825-1150) • December all month long: Holiday Caroling, different sectors across town. A traditional caroling festivity with holiday songs.
Central
Corozal (787-859-3060) • December, all month long: Holiday Caroling, different parts of town. A traditional caroling festivity with holiday songs.
Cayey (787-263-7635) • Dec. 19 & 26: Christmas Caroling, different sectors across town. A traditional caroling festivity with holiday songs.
East
Caguas • Dec. 13-Jan. 6: Holiday Garden at William Miranda
Marín Botanical Garden (787-653-8990). An event to light up the holiday
decorations.• Dec. 21: Holiday Concert, Caguas Performing Arts
Center (787-726-7575). A performance by the San Juan Children’s Choir. 7:00
p.m.
Culebra (787-742-1033) • Dec. 25: Holiday Parade, Town Square. An event where Santa arrives in town accompanied by Disney characters. Features live shows, clowns painting kids’ faces and creating balloon animals, free t-shirts, cotton candy, popcorn, nachos, snacks, and beverages.• Dec. 31: Happy New Year at the Town Square. Year-end celebration.
Vieques (787-741-5000) • Dec. 21: 16th Vieques Holiday Troubadour Fest, Luis Muñoz Rivera Square. Features live musical performances and shows. 8:00 p.m.• Dec. 31: New Year’s Eve Party, Town Square. Starts at 10:00 p.m. with live music and a fireworks display.
Metro Area
Carolina (787-757-4011) • Dec. 21-Jan. 6: Giant Fantasy Park, Julia de Burgos Park, Phase I. Features family-oriented entertainment, rides, an animal farm, local foods, and shows on weekends. Guaynabo (787-720-4040 x 6503, 6513, 6524).• Jan. 4: Caroling with the Three Kings, different sectors across town. A traditional caroling festivity with holiday songs.
Old San Juan
• Dec. 17: Andanza, Museum of Contemporary Art of Puerto Rico (787-977-4030). Different creative workshops for children and families, live performances, music, and video art screenings.
• Dec. 17-23: Aguinaldo (Holiday) Masses (787-722-0861). Masses are held at 5:30 a.m. for seven consecutive days prior to Christmas Eve at San Juan Cathedral, San Francisco Church, Santa Ana Chapel, Serves María Convent, La Rogativa neighborhood, and La Perla neighborhood.
• Jan. 6: Three Kings’ Day Festival (787-721-7000). A tradition in Puerto Rico, this day is for exchanging gifts. The governor honors this tradition with a big celebration for local families, featuring live music, parades, puppets, troubadours, games, food, and more.
• Jan. 16-19: San Sebastián Street Festival (787-725-7559 & 787-723-7800. Annual carnival-like festival with nightly celebrations, featuring music, processions, local foods, and graphic arts and handicraft exhibits. This is a major local event.
Culebra (787-742-1033) • Dec. 25: Holiday Parade, Town Square. An event where Santa arrives in town accompanied by Disney characters. Features live shows, clowns painting kids’ faces and creating balloon animals, free t-shirts, cotton candy, popcorn, nachos, snacks, and beverages.• Dec. 31: Happy New Year at the Town Square. Year-end celebration.
Vieques (787-741-5000) • Dec. 21: 16th Vieques Holiday Troubadour Fest, Luis Muñoz Rivera Square. Features live musical performances and shows. 8:00 p.m.• Dec. 31: New Year’s Eve Party, Town Square. Starts at 10:00 p.m. with live music and a fireworks display.
Metro Area
Carolina (787-757-4011) • Dec. 21-Jan. 6: Giant Fantasy Park, Julia de Burgos Park, Phase I. Features family-oriented entertainment, rides, an animal farm, local foods, and shows on weekends. Guaynabo (787-720-4040 x 6503, 6513, 6524).• Jan. 4: Caroling with the Three Kings, different sectors across town. A traditional caroling festivity with holiday songs.
Old San Juan
• Dec. 17: Andanza, Museum of Contemporary Art of Puerto Rico (787-977-4030). Different creative workshops for children and families, live performances, music, and video art screenings.
• Dec. 17-23: Aguinaldo (Holiday) Masses (787-722-0861). Masses are held at 5:30 a.m. for seven consecutive days prior to Christmas Eve at San Juan Cathedral, San Francisco Church, Santa Ana Chapel, Serves María Convent, La Rogativa neighborhood, and La Perla neighborhood.
• Jan. 6: Three Kings’ Day Festival (787-721-7000). A tradition in Puerto Rico, this day is for exchanging gifts. The governor honors this tradition with a big celebration for local families, featuring live music, parades, puppets, troubadours, games, food, and more.
• Jan. 16-19: San Sebastián Street Festival (787-725-7559 & 787-723-7800. Annual carnival-like festival with nightly celebrations, featuring music, processions, local foods, and graphic arts and handicraft exhibits. This is a major local event.
Shopping Center Events
Malls and shopping centers across the island
celebrate the holiday season and most
feature live holiday music on weekends. Each shopping center has special
dates when they hold their respective events to welcome Santa Claus and the
Three Kings. Malls have extended shopping hours during the holidays.
Centro Gran Caribe, Vega Baja (787-782-6800)
• Dec. 28: Welcoming the Three Kings. An event to
greet the Three Kings with live holiday music and food.
Puerto RicoPremium Outlets, Barceloneta (787-846-5300)
Puerto RicoPremium Outlets, Barceloneta (787-846-5300)
• Dec. 12-26: Take Over Thursday from 6:00 p.m. to
9:00 p.m. Live music, special sales, family events, and photos with Santa
Plaza LasAméricas, San Juan (787-767-1525)
Plaza LasAméricas, San Juan (787-767-1525)
• Dec.: CoroMío Live Holiday Music inside the mall.
• Dec.-Jan.: Nighttime Talent Show. Children sing holiday songs while imitating Puerto Rican singers. 7:00 p.m.
• Jan. 13: From Plaza to the San Sebastián Street Festival. Music, art, and handicraft exhibits.
• Dec.-Jan.: Nighttime Talent Show. Children sing holiday songs while imitating Puerto Rican singers. 7:00 p.m.
• Jan. 13: From Plaza to the San Sebastián Street Festival. Music, art, and handicraft exhibits.
Hotel & Restaurant EventsMost hotels and restaurants include live holiday music on weekends. On key dates such as Dec. 24, 25 and 31 and Jan. 1, they also offer dinner buffets, shows with guest artists, dance music, DJs, and surprises. We recommend you contact the hotel and/or restaurant of your choice for details and reservations.
Club Seabourne, PR252, Playa Sardinas II, Culebra.
(787-531-6571)
• Dec. 24 -25: Special Christmas menu at Guava
Restaurant by Chef Maira Isabel
Courtyard by Marriott Isla Verde Beach Resort, 7012
Boca De Cangrejos Ave., Carolina. (787-791-0404 x 6150)
• Dec. 31-Jan. 1: New Year’s Buffet
- Salsa Rest.: Holiday buffet and live music - New
Year’s Eve Party in the Lobby Bar & Lounge Picante, 5:30 p.m.
- Sirena Rest.: Enjoy views of the sea from the deck
while dining on delicious Caribbean fusion cuisine. Includes one glass of wine
per client. 6:00 p.m.
Hilton Ponce Golf & Casino Resort, 1150 Caribe
Ave., Ponce. (787-259-7676)
• Dec. 25: Nonstop buffet with Santa Claus and live
music at Terraza Rest. Noon to 10:30 p.m.
• Dec. 31: New Year’s Eve Party at Terraza Rest.
Includes holiday buffet, one glass of champagne, midnight asopao, and live
music. 7:00 p.m.
• Jan. 6: Three Kings’ lunch buffet and live music
at Terraza Rest. Noon-3:00
p.m.
Il Nouvo
Perugino Enoteca, 208 Ponce de León Ave., Popular Center Atrium, San Juan. (787-722-5481)
• Dec. 24: Christmas Eve Party Dinner
• Dec. 31: New Year’s Eve Party Dinner
InterContinentalSan Juan Resort & Casino, 961 Isla Verde Ave., Carolina. (787-982-4204)
• Dec. 31-Jan. 1. New Year’s Party with everything
included. Enjoy a delicious Puerto Rican holiday buffet, unlimited premium
drinks all night long, and a live show.
RestauranteRaíces, H31 Pino St., Villa Turabo, Caguas. (787-258-1570); 315
Recinto Sur St., Old San Juan. (787-289-2121)
• Jan. 6: Three Kings’
Ritz-Carlton San Juan Hotel, Spa & Casino, 6961
Avenue of the Governors, Carolina. (787-253-1700)
Reservation required
• Dec. 25: Christmas Day Buffet - Santa stops by
with Caribbean sweets.
• Dec. 31: New Year’s Eve Countdown to Fun - A
sumptuous buffet dinner accompanied by live music.
Sheraton Old San Juan Hotel & Casino, 100
Brumbaugh St., San Juan. (787-721-5100 & 787-289-1966)
• Dec. 31: Jolgorio New Year’s Eve Party. Includes a
Puerto Rican gastronomic festival, open bar, midnight asopao, and live music.
8:00 p.m.
