Check out these Brazilian Christmas traditions

Picture this: the fire casting a warm glow, the snug embrace of a favorite blanket paired with your coziest jumper, sparkling lights, laughter and love in the air, the scent of freshly baked treats mingling with the crisp, wintry breeze outside, and the gentle rustle of wrapping paper… A perfect Christmas day, right? Well, that might be your ideal, but for the majority of Brazilians, it's quite the opposite.

Firstly, it’s summer, so set aside the image of a white Christmas and envision days spent on the beach or by the pool with a barbecue. Brazilians celebrate Christmas on the night of the 24th, dressing up to spend the evening in their own living rooms, enjoying dinner, and exchanging gifts at the stroke of midnight. However, the festivities don't end there. On the 25th, after a lazy morning, Brazilian families gather again to enjoy leftovers from the previous day and continue to party. Both days include the following traditions.

Variations of Secret Santa

While Secret Santa, or Amigo Invisível or Secreto in Portuguese, is a Christmas tradition worldwide, Brazilians have added a slightly mischievous twist. In Amigo da Onça (friend of the jaguar) or Inimigo Secreto (secret enemy), the gifts exchanged are meant to be funny, useless, or just plain weird. Picture a bottle of vitamin C, paperclips, a roll of toilet paper, or an outrageously ugly T-shirt — truly a Brazilian way to infuse their distinctive humor into the holidays.

Christmas dinner

Among various cultures' festive foods, Brazil boasts a unique array of dishes that grace holiday tables. Alongside the classic turkey, you might find a mouthwatering spread featuring:

A dessert akin to French toast, made from bread slices soaked in milk, coated in eggs, fried, and sprinkled with cinnamon and sugar.

This Portuguese-inspired salted cod dish is often prepared with olives, potatoes, and onions.

A toasted cassava flour mixture that can include bacon, sausage, eggs, and herbs, adding a flavorful and crunchy element to holiday meals.

Panettone and Chocotone

These popular Christmas bread loaves, filled with candied fruits and nuts (panettone) or chocolate chips (chocotone), are enjoyed as desserts or given as gifts during the holiday season.

Family and togetherness

Despite the unique traditions and regional variations, the essence of Christmas in Brazil, much like in other parts of the world, revolves around family and togetherness. It's a time for relatives to gather, share stories, laugh, and create lasting memories.

Missa do Galo

The Rooster's Mass holds a significant place in Christmas Eve celebrations for many Brazilians. This midnight mass, held in churches across the country, commemorates the birth of Jesus. It's a time for spiritual reflection, hymns, and communal celebration of the religious significance of Christmas.

While our celebrations may not mirror the wintry scenes depicted in holiday movies, Brazilian Christmas exudes its own warmth, vibrancy, and a unique blend of cultural richness that makes it truly special. It's a season of joy, gratitude, and embracing the diversity that defines this beautiful country's traditions.

As this season of togetherness unfolds, Story Productions extends our warmest Christmas wishes to you. In the upcoming year, count on us to continue being your steadfast partners in bringing stories to life in Brazil. If you have a project we can help you with, please reach out.

Here are some movies you can binge watch if you want to surround yourself with the spirit of Brazilian Christmas (the first one is especially great). Feliz Natal!



• Every Story Productions Christmas Video
• World's First Christmas (Comedy, 2023)
• Ritmo de Natal (Christmas’ Rhythm) (Comedy, 2022)
• Just another Christmas (Comedy, 2020)
• 10 Hours for Christmas (Comedy, 2020)
• Fuga de Natal (Christmas Escape) (Comedy, 2018)
• The Last Hangover (Comedy, 2018)
• Um Anjo Trapalhão (A Clumsy Angel) (Comedy, 2000)