Christmas day and Christmas Eve in Ecuador is mostly a family event, but there are plenty of public celebrations in every town and city. Her family has secret friends (kind of like a secret Santa, except Santa isn’t very well known in Ecuador), and they exchange gifts.

On Christmas Eve, families enjoy the Cena de Nochebuena, which traditionally includes stuffed turkey or chicken, grapes and raisins, salads, rice with cheese, local produce, and wine or chicha. At midnight, the Misa del Gallo, a long mass, attracts huge numbers and December 25 is a family day with gifts and visits.

Navidad

Ecuadorians typically celebrate with parades, public dances, and loud music. During a parade or other major holiday event, expect most businesses to close. Ecuadorians take their festivals seriously, and everyone in town wants to participate. During holidays, plan your travel carefully.

• El Año Viejo and Nuevo Ano (New Year) December 31st – January 1st
• Carnival- February or March.
• Semana Santa, Easter – March or April.
• Dia de Trabajo- May 1st.
• San Pedro & San Pablo- June 29th
• Día de Muertos- November 2nd.
• Navidad- December 25th.
• Ecuadorian Military and Independence Holidays.

Roman Catholic

Freedom of religion in Ecuador is guaranteed by the country’s constitution, and the government generally respects this right in practice. Government policy contributes to the generally free practice of religion.

Ecuador has a Mestizo majority, with significant minorities of people with indigenous, African, and European ancestries….Ethnic Groups Of Ecuador.

Christianity is an important world religion that stems from the life, teachings, and death of Jesus. Roman Catholicism is the largest of the three major branches of Christianity. Thus, all Roman Catholics are Christian, but not all Christians are Roman Catholic.