Puerto Rico’s Christmas season is much more than just December 25th.

Boasting the “longest holiday season in the world,” according to Discover Puerto Rico, the festivities span approximately 45 days, starting after Thanksgiving and extending to mid-January.

The season is rich with cherished family traditions.

One noticeable tradition is the extensive decorating, typically commencing on Thanksgiving and lasting until mid-January, creating picturesque scenes throughout the island.

A key holiday custom is *parrandas*, festive carol singing.

Carolers, often accompanied by instruments, visit the homes of family and friends, usually starting around 10 p.m., performing traditional Christmas songs called *aguinaldos*.

The groups often grow as carolers are joined by residents of the homes they visit, continuing their merrymaking to other houses, sometimes well into the early morning hours.

The most significant day isn’t Christmas itself, but Nochebuena (December 24th), featuring gift-giving, caroling, and large feasts.

Many families also attend the Misa de Gallo (Rooster Mass) that day.

The celebrations continue after Christmas.

Three Kings Day (January 6th), commemorating the Three Wise Men’s visit to Jesus, is another major event.

Children leave a shoebox filled with grass for the camels, anticipating gifts from the Three Kings, according to PuertoRico.com.

Juana Díaz hosts the island’s largest Three Kings Day celebration, a yearly festival and parade attracting over 25,000 attendees.

Eight days later, Octavitas provides a final festive gathering for families.

The San Sebastián Street Festival, a multi-day event in Old San Juan featuring live music, dancing, shopping, and parades, marks the season’s end.