Christmas Day in Cuba

History and Traditions: Christmas Day, December 25th, in Cuba is a festive and family-centered holiday. However, it has a complex history on the island. From 1969 to 1997, Christmas was not officially celebrated due to the secular nature of the government following the Cuban Revolution. The holiday was reinstated as a public holiday in 1998 ahead of a visit by Pope John Paul II.

Traditional celebrations before the ban included attending midnight Mass (known as "La Misa del Gallo"), setting up nativity scenes, and preparing a feast that often featured roast pork (lechón), black beans and rice (moros y cristianos), yuca with mojo sauce, and various pastries and sweets.

Modern-Day Celebrations: Since its reinstatement as a public holiday, Cubans have gradually revived Christmas traditions. Today, while celebrations may be more subdued compared to other countries with longer uninterrupted Christmas traditions, many Cuban families still gather for large meals, attend church services, and enjoy music and dancing.

Children may receive small gifts, but Santa Claus is not as central to Christmas festivities in Cuba as he is in some Western cultures. Instead, emphasis is placed on spending time with family members and friends.

The decorations can include tropical interpretations of typical Christmas symbols—palm trees adorned with lights rather than traditional pine trees for example.

Street parties and festivities are common too, reflecting the vibrant Cuban culture that incorporates lively music and dance into most celebrations.

Public Observance: While Christmas Day is an official public holiday allowing Cubans time off work to celebrate with their families, it does not typically involve large-scale public events or commercial displays as seen in other countries. The focus remains on intimate family gatherings and religious observances for those who practice Christianity.