Feliz Navidad
standard, Cuba
Merry Christmas in Cuba is Feliz Navidad. Felices fiestas is a wider wish for the holidays, and feliz Nochebuena is said on Christmas Eve.
Meaning: greeting for the Christmas holiday (phrase)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | Note |
|---|---|
| Feliz Navidad | standard, Cuba |
| felices fiestas | general |
The big family dinner happens on December 24, called Nochebuena, so people say Feliz Nochebuena that day and Feliz Navidad on the 25th.
When do people say it?
Christmas was not a public holiday in Cuba from 1969 until it was restored in 1997, ahead of a visit by Pope John Paul II in January 1998. Many families keep the Nochebuena dinner with roast pork.
Did you know?
- Roast pork, black beans and rice, and yuca are classic foods of the Cuban Nochebuena dinner.
Examples in context
- ¡Feliz Navidad a toda la familia!Merry Christmas to the whole family!
- Feliz Nochebuena, abuela.Merry Christmas Eve, Grandma.
- Les deseo felices fiestas.I wish you happy holidays.
Example conversation
Abuela Carmen and her grandson Nico gather for dinner on Christmas Eve in Camagüey.
- Carmen¡Feliz Nochebuena a todos!Merry Christmas Eve, everyone!
- Nico¡Feliz Navidad, abuela!Merry Christmas, Grandma!
- CarmenVamos a la mesa, que está servida.Let us go to the table, it is served.
