Cuban Christmas: Traditions, History, Noche Buena and Christmas in Cuba Now

Cuba is such a complication. From its history to their people, even ingrained into our Cuban culture, complexity should be its middle name. The history of Cuban Christmas is, therefore, pretty complicated. While the fundamental virtues of family and feast are paramount to most all Cuban families, the Christmas experience and their subsequent Cuban traditions vary depending on when you were born in relation to Castro’s rise to power and/or the year of immigration to the States (or elsewhere).

Because Christmas in Cuba was outlawed by the atheist Castro regime for nearly 30 years (1969-1997), there is actually an entire generation of Cubans that did not grow up celebrating Christmas and the traditions that accompany it (including Three Kings Day). Pretty crazy, right?

Legacy, tradition, and culture are virtues most Cubans I know hold onto. Even when outlawed, the religious and secular Christmas holiday never really died out within the hearts of Cuban people living off and on the island. Once the ban on Christmas was lifted (by pressure from the Pope), Cubans on the island flocked to buy nativity scenes and decorations to celebrate the holiday legally and carry out their Cuban traditions.

Cuban Christmas

Our Cuban Traditions In America

My parents each immigrated to the States (with their parents, at young ages), before the sad ban on Christmas took place. And because my maternal grandparents had a huge impact on my youth, I have so many memories of celebrating Noche Buena in their home. Noche Buena literally translates as good night, but refers to Christmas Eve. I grew up only celebrating Noche Buena at a young age – Christmas day or Santa was never a big deal – until my parents divorced and my dad re-married my (American) step mom. At this point in my legacy, my Christmas traditions became very bicultural. I guess in terms of presents, traditions and food, I was a lucky kid to celebrate both Noche Buena and Christmas morning with my families.

Christmas in Cuba

Last year we celebrated Christmas in Cuba and if you’re looking to do the same, please go with proper expectations. While you might find seasonal decor and activities at the tourist resorts and destinations, Christmas in Cuba is very much about family and food. Not to mention the lack of extravagance due to the blockade. On our plane ride to Havana, passengers living in Florida had loaded up our plane with Christmas tree decorations, tinsel and lights, and any commodity to help their family on the island celebrate the season.

Christmas in Cuba is unlike anything you’ll experience elsewhere – the people’s deep desire to project celebration juxtaposed with a government that hardly allows let it, let alone supports it. You’ll find joy and love in every home you enter, but probably not a Nativity Scene or Christmas lights.

Holiday Decorations

In Cuban culture – and certainly, at my Mami’s house – holiday decor is a big deal. But unlike my American family, the focus was not on Santa. There was always a Christmas tree, but equally important was the Nativity Scene. You can see the large set my grandmother owns, which she has used to decorate for Christmas since I was a baby (top right photo). The middle photo was from my great-great grandmother’s home (she lived until she was over 100 years old) and was a large display that sat underneath the Christmas tree. Presents didn’t come down the chimney – family brought them as they arrived for the Noche Buena party or as they were purchased and wrapped. So those were always a big part of the decor and photo memories, too. Santa is secondary.

Cuban Christmas – Noche Buena

Chritsmas Eve is Cuban Christmas, and Cuban Christmas is Noche Buena… and Noche Buena is allll about the food. Lechon Asado (also, here is my Slow Cooker Lechon Asado recipe), arroz y frijoles negro (Cuban Black Beans), platanito fritos, tostones, croquettas, other meats, drinks and ending with an amazing flan or Cuban Chocolate Cake. The first time I hosted Noche Buena in our new home, it was crazy doing it all by myself. The next year was less so, but still chaotic. This year promises to be calm, more streamlined and with my mom – which is the best Christmas present I could even ask for. The feast starts late – around 9 or 10 – and continues until it’s time to open presents… at midnight.

Focused On The Family

I think this is perhaps the most under-discussed but highly influential aspects of bicultural holiday traditions: many Latino cultures don’t do the typical American Santa thing. Noche Buena is focused on the family, and the happiness of togetherness. It doesn’t focus on the young kids, or what they necessarily think or their bedtimes or behavior for the preceding month to earn presents. Kids had to stay up, or at least be awake, at midnight if they wanted to open presents. Christmas isn’t about good behavior to earn presents – it’s about expressing love to family members. I remember Christmas to be about family and food and joy, and ultimately, that’s what I want my kids to remember it to be about to.

Bicultural Traditions: A Cuban-American Christmas

Since my step-mom had a giant impact on my upbringing, her influence is highly prevalent in my bicultural traditions and parenting… especially during the holidays. In our home, we do the Santa thing. I do want some focus on my kids in their youth during the holidays. Watching the magic of Christmas come alive at the North Pole Experience this year was amazing. We do stockings, but this year also started a new tradition of the Noche Buena Survival Kit so that she stays up longer, allowing us to celebrate. I love that Alina has learned that Noche Buena is just as important as Christmas – and that she is as excited for presents from mom and dad, as she is for the ones from Santa on Christmas morning.

I’ve never been more proud of my roots and Cuban heritage as I am today. Looking through old photos, remembering my great-grandmother (Margo) who took care of my brother and I after my parents divorced while my mom was at work made me cry. I called my grandmother (Mami) to put my dibs on that nativity set one day. And looking at how beautiful my mom is, and how happy she looks with her two kids by her side, makes me realize that I am living my best years – right this very moment.

I grew up celebrating Christmas with a mix of cultures and traditions. My Mom’s side of the family is Cuban and celebrated what we call <strong>Noche Buena</strong> {or Nochebuena}, which is December 24th. In a nut shell, on Christmas Eve, the family would gather and feast. Then, at midnight Christmas day, gifts were exchanged and opened. I’m not sure I ever 100% believed in Santa {other than when I was very young and can’t remember}. The evening is meant to be all about family and food; a celebration of loved ones. Focus was not paid to rushing off to bed, with Christmas pajamas, waiting for Santa’s arrival. Noche Buena has distinct difference from American Christmas Eve traditions.

Since we are celebrating our first Christmas in the new house, I decided that it was time to begin incorporating my own Noche Buena in my family’s holiday tradition by cooking up a traditional Cuban feast. It was actually the first meal I’ve cooked in my new kitchen! {Sadly, its been take out or frozen meals thus far. Yuck!} I think that’s pretty special.

We had a simple Cuban salad, rice and black beans, and lechon asado. I planned on making platanitos fritos, but the plantains at our supermarket weren’t ripe enough and I didn’t have time to head down to the Latino market. So they had to go. I even made my very first flan all by myself. I did cheat a bit though. More on that some other time 😉

After dinner, Alina put on her Christmas jammies and opened a few presents. We would never keep a toddler up till midnight, and even though the evening was over by 9pm we still enjoyed the spirit of Noche Buena in our home. It was awesome to have my family over for dinner and incorporate a bit of my Cuban traditions onto my child’s lives. I hope we continue this tradition in future years.
rning, Alina got all dressed up and we headed to my Aunt’s house. We feasted yet again on delicious breakfast fare and Alina was spoiled by family. We ate and laughed and caught up. Life gets so busy, and its nice to have gatherings like these with the people you love. If only they weren’t just a couple times a year!</div>

Since we have been so busy with closing on the new house, Alina didn’t get to see Santa this year. Lamest excuse of the year? Ya, pretty much. I suck. But at least she got a picture of the picture of her Santa visit from last year! I actually think the picture turned out pretty adorable, and I will incorporate into our photo memories somehow. Oh, and the garland and tree skirt didn’t make it out of storage either. I’m telling you… my nose is barely above water these days!