Spanish: Papa Noel (lit. While in countries like Mexico and Venezuela, presents might also be brought by El Niñito Dios (baby Jesus) or Santo Clós (Santa Claus).
In Mexico, jolly old St. Nick is known as either Santa Clos or Papa Noel. 37. The Three Wise Men, El Niñito Dios (Baby Jesus), and Santa Clos are all believed to give children presents in Mexico.
Pancho Claus is a Mexican version of Santa Claus popular in parts of the United States, particularly Texas. Pancho Claus is sometimes referred to as a "Tex-Mex" version of Santa.
The Mexican celebration of Christmas is called las posadas and begins on December 16. The ninth evening of las posadas is Buena Noche, Christmas Eve. The children lead a procession to the church and place a figure of the Christ Child in the nacimiento or nativity scene there.
What is Santa Claus called in Australia? These days most Australians call Atnas (his real name) “Santa”.
Australia has British and European heritage, so there's a strong attachment to the tradition of celebrating Christmas in cold weather. That's why there's 'Christmas in July', which is also known as Yulefest or Yuletide in Australia.
The celebration is called Noche Buena, families gather to celebrate the birth of baby Jesus and indulge in traditionally festive meals, but not necessarily fruitcake. Take a look at our galleria above to discover how Latin America celebrates Christmas, but not quite.
Nochebuena translates to "the good night" and is celebrated on Christmas Eve. The holiday traces back to Spanish colonialization and celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ. Nochebuena isn't just a Hispanic and Latinx holiday, but it's also celebrated in the Philippines.
In Mexico most people speak Spanish (Español), so Happy/Merry Christmas is 'Feliz Navidad'.
In Mexico, for instance, the focus is on the noche buena, or good night, which culminates in midnight Mass. Moreover, Santa Claus, Christmas trees and wrapped presents are not traditional parts of Latino culture. Parents instead often ask what their children want el nino dios — the baby Jesus — to bring them.
One of the most unique facts about Christmas in Spain is that there's no Santa Claus. Forget Saint Nick – in Spain, it's the Three Kings or the Three Wise Men (known as Reyes Magos – Melchior, Gaspar and Baltazar) who bring the gifts to good children at Christmas time. They also don't come on Christmas Eve.
In Japan Santa is known as サンタさん、サンタクロース / Santa-san (Mr Santa) or サンタクロース / Santa-Kurosu (Santa Claus). (Another Japanese gift bringer is Hoteiosho, a Japanese god of good fortune from Buddhism.
Santa Claus – Kanakaloka in Hawaiian – does not arrive with his reindeer on the islands, he comes in an outrigger canoe.
December 24th is a big day, with families gathering to eat, sing, and party before heading to midnight mass. Mexicans build up to Christmas throughout the month, with processions, Christmas carols in Spanish, and nativity scenes alongside Christmas trees and Santa Claus.
Papá Noel is the most common term for Santa Claus.
This seems to be sourced from the French term, Pere Noël, similar to the English term Father Christmas, and used first in Spain. Santa Clós or Santa Cló is also common, as is simply saying Santa Claus or Santa, in some countries.
Navidad is Christmas Day (December 25th). Most modern Puerto Rican families celebrate with Santa on this day. Homes are decorated much like in the mainland but include a lot of palm trees and their branches. Families set up "nacimientos" or "pesebres".
There are candlelit processions, elaborate nativity scenes, Spanish Christmas carols, dancing and fireworks. While traditions like Christmas trees and Santa Claus have found a place in Mexican festivities, the holiday celebrations are firmly rooted in Spanish and indigenous culture.
The Mexican Christmas season kicks off December 12 with the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe (the patron saint of Mexico City and all of the Americas) and ends two weeks past December 25.
Santa (n. 1)
the Spanish title for a female saint, feminine singular of san, from Latin sanctus (see saint (n.)).
From Old Spanish nauidat, naduidad, from Latin nātīvitātem, accusative of nātīvitās (“birth”), from nātīvus, from perfect passive participle nātus (“born”), from deponent verb nāsci (“be born”).
Nochebuena: Christmas Eve in Mexico. December 21 & 22, 2022 | 7:30 p.m. In Mexico, Christmas is not just a single day but a whole season of Christmas-related celebrations!
Gaadha Gayaa! (Happy Christmas)
Our video with the Winanga-Li staff (2020) includes the meaning of the word 'Gaadha'.
The small number of Christians in China call Christmas Sheng Dan Jieh, which means Holy Birth Festival. They decorate their homes with evergreens, posters, and bright paper chains.
In traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture Christmas was not celebrated but coming together and celebrating as a mob was, and continues to be, an important aspect of culture.