Christmas in the Dominican Republic

The time of love, joy, and paying attention to one another

Christmas is one of the most important holidays for Dominicans. It is a time of love, kindness, and attentiveness to one another, when family and friends gather together to hold large celebrations. The Christmas tree is set up as early as the beginning of December, and colorful lights and garlands appear on houses and streets.

The arrival of Christmas is also marked by the appearance of “charamicos” in the streets of Santo Domingo and other cities. These are handcrafted items made from dry branches, painted in various colors, and typically shaped like spheres or cones. This tradition is unique and characteristic only of the Dominican Republic.

Music and dance are an essential part of their lives. At this time, merengue and bachata come to life again, filling public spaces with Christmas versions of popular songs. It is not uncommon to see locals bursting into dance in shopping malls.

On December 24th, they prepare all day long, baking and cooking, so they can host family and friends in the evening. Their traditional Christmas menu usually consists of: pork and chicken, either roasted or stewed, rice with beans, pasta with tomato sauce, “russian” salad, desserts, and fruits.

However, Christmas is not only a time for festivities and gift-giving, but also a time to turn to God. A large portion of Dominicans are Christian, with 75% identifying as Roman Catholic, thus celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ on December 24th.

And finally, one more interesting fact: The tradition of the midnight mass, called “La Misa del Gallo,” is also alive here. The term literally means "The Rooster's Mass," stemming from the belief that on the night of Jesus' birth, a rooster crowed.