The Americas represent an extraordinary blend of Christmas traditions — from Indigenous winter celebrations, European colonial influences, and uniquely American innovations. The timing and style of Christmas trees varies dramatically from the frozen north of Canada to the tropical warmth of Brazil.
United States
Home of Black Friday Decorating & Rockefeller Center
Americans have transformed Christmas tree decorating into a post-Thanksgiving tradition. The day after Thanksgiving (the fourth Thursday of November) marks the unofficial start of the Christmas season, with millions of families putting up trees that very weekend.
🦃 The American Christmas Timeline
American Christmas Tree Traditions
Hallmark Movie Season
Tree decorating often accompanies the Hallmark Channel's 24/7 Christmas movie programming, which starts in late October!
Outdoor Lights
Americans go big on outdoor decorations — entire houses covered in lights, inflatable Santas, and elaborate yard displays.
Tree Farm Trips
"Cut your own" tree farms are a beloved family tradition, often including hot cocoa, hayrides, and photos with Santa.
Tree Lighting Ceremonies
Major city tree lightings (Rockefeller Center, National Tree) are televised events watched by millions.
🌟 America's Most Famous Christmas Trees
Rockefeller Center
New York City's iconic tree, typically 75-100ft tall, lit since 1933
National Christmas Tree
White House lawn tradition since 1923, lit by the President
Chicago Tree
Millennium Park's 60-foot tree anchors the Magnificent Mile
Capitol Tree
US Capitol's tree represents a different National Forest each year
Canada
British Traditions Meet American Influence
Canadian Christmas traditions blend British heritage with American influence. Unlike the US, Canada's Thanksgiving falls in October, so there's no "post-Thanksgiving" decorating tradition. Most Canadians wait until after Remembrance Day (November 11th) before putting up Christmas decorations.
Canadian Christmas Traditions
Real Tree Culture
With vast forests, Canadians have strong access to real trees. Nova Scotia and Quebec are major growing regions.
Boxing Day
Following British tradition, December 26th is a holiday — and a major shopping day rivaling Black Friday.
Winter Wonderland
Snowy white Christmases are common across much of Canada, creating picture-perfect tree backdrops.
Québec Traditions
French-Canadian Christmas includes réveillon (late-night Christmas Eve feast) and crèche nativity scenes.
Mexico
Las Posadas, Nochebuena & the Nacimiento
Mexican Christmas is a rich blend of Indigenous, Spanish colonial, and modern influences. While Christmas trees have become popular, the traditional Nacimiento (nativity scene) remains central to Mexican celebrations. Trees often appear in early December, with festivities building toward Las Posadas (December 16-24).
Las Posadas (December 16-24)
For nine nights, communities reenact Mary and Joseph's search for lodging. Processions go house to house, singing traditional songs, before being "let in" for food, piñatas, and celebration. This period is when Mexican Christmas truly comes alive — trees and decorations are fully displayed.
Mexican Christmas Traditions
Piñatas
Star-shaped piñatas with seven points represent the seven deadly sins. Breaking them symbolizes triumph over evil.
Nacimiento
Elaborate nativity scenes are more traditional than trees, often covering entire rooms with villages, rivers, and mountains.
Poinsettias
"Flores de Nochebuena" (Christmas Eve flowers) originated in Mexico. Legend says they miraculously bloomed for a poor child's gift to Jesus.
Día de los Reyes
Children receive gifts on January 6th from the Three Kings, not Santa. Rosca de Reyes (Kings' bread) is shared.
🌎 Latin America & The Caribbean
Latin American Christmas traditions share Spanish and Portuguese colonial roots while incorporating unique Indigenous and African influences. Note that several South American countries celebrate Christmas in summer!
Brazil
Setup: Early December
Season: Summer! (December is hot)
Brazil's Christmas combines Portuguese traditions with tropical adaptations. Trees often feature cotton "snow" despite summer heat. Papai Noel (Santa) wears silk due to warmth. Major celebration on Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) with family feasts of turkey, ham, and rabanada (French toast). The floating Christmas tree in Rio's Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon was once world's largest.
Argentina
Setup: December 8th (Immaculate Conception)
Season: Summer!
Strong Italian influence means panettone and pasta are Christmas staples. Midnight on Christmas Eve features spectacular firework displays and families toast with cider. Gift exchange happens at midnight. Trees and decorations go up on December 8th, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception.
Colombia
Setup: December 7th (Día de las Velitas)
Key Date: Día de las Velitas (Day of Little Candles)
Christmas begins on December 7th with Día de las Velitas — families place candles and paper lanterns outside homes in honor of the Virgin Mary. This beautiful tradition lights up entire neighborhoods. Novena prayers run December 16-24, similar to Mexico's Las Posadas.
Puerto Rico
Setup: Late November / Early December
Ends: Mid-January!
Puerto Rico has one of the longest Christmas seasons in the Western Hemisphere. Parrandas (caroling parties) go house-to-house through January. Christmas extends to Three Kings Day (Jan 6) and beyond to the Fiestas de la Calle San Sebastián (mid-January).
🌡️ Remember: Summer Christmas!
Countries south of the equator — Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Paraguay — celebrate Christmas in summer. December temperatures can reach 30-40°C (86-104°F)! Despite this, many families maintain Northern Hemisphere traditions like decorated trees, artificial snow, and heavy foods — a testament to European colonial influence.