The holiday season in Panama offers foreigners a unique blend of festive traditions, tropical warmth, and the welcoming spirit of the Panamanian people. From colorful parades to traditional holiday dishes, celebrating Christmas and New Year’s here is an unforgettable experience. This article will guide you through the cherished customs and joyful events that make the holidays in Panama for expats, visitors, and locals so memorable.
What to do in Panama during the Holidays?
During the holidays in Panama, foreigners and locals can enjoy typical seasonal activities such as parades, concerts and fireworks. In December, many cities host markets where tourists and residents can enjoy Panamanian Christmas food, handmade crafts and local music.
Panama’s Ministry of Culture (MiCultura) organizes many free artistic activities, which offer families a Panamanian Christmas experience full of art and culture. With performances by the National Symphony Orchestra, the National Ballet and the Network of Youth Orchestras and Choirs, public spaces such as squares, shopping malls and parishes are filled with joy and emotions. The complete agenda will be available on MiCultura’s social media.
The Christmas Spirit in Panama
Christmas in Panama combines tradition with multicultural influences, offering a variety of ways to celebrate the season. Starting in late November, the holiday spirit fills the air as streets shine with bright lights and decorated Christmas trees grace squares and public spaces. The cheerful Christmas Eve atmosphere is further enriched by elaborate nativity scenes and parades, creating a memorable experience during the holidays in Panama for expats.
With the combination of warm tropical weather and festive cheer, a traditional Christmas in Panama for expats is an exciting time that blends tropical charm with Panamanian holiday customs.
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Family dinner: Families gather for a special dinner that includes typical Christmas dishes.
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Gift exchange: It is common to have a gift exchange between family and friends right after the Christmas Eve dinner.
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Christmas Eve toast: Toasts with ron ponche or sparkling wine are a custom to kick off the festivities and wish each other good wishes.
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Misa del Gallo: Many Panamanians attend midnight mass in churches, known as the “Misa del Gallo,” to celebrate the birth of Jesus.
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Midnight fireworks: When the clock strikes midnight, families go out into their yards or streets to set off fireworks, welcoming Christmas with a burst of color and light.
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Music and dancing: Typical Christmas music, such as Christmas carols and Latin rhythms, is part of the celebration, and families often dance after dinner.
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Thematic activities: Cities organize activities in which locals and tourists can participate, such as the Santas Race in Panama City.
These traditions and different Christmas events in Panama City, Bocas del Toro and across the country, are a perfect way to spread and celebrate the holidays in Panama as an expat.
Traditions on New Year’s Eve
New Year’s Eve is celebrated with a mix of Panama holiday traditions and a joyful vibe that attracts locals and visitors alike. One of the most popular customs is the burning of Año Viejo dolls—figures made of rag or cardboard that symbolize the challenges, mistakes, or difficulties of the past year. By setting these dolls alight, Panamanians embrace a symbolic act of leaving the past behind and welcoming a fresh start.
In addition, many people wear yellow clothing to attract prosperity, and walk around with a suitcase to invoke future travel. These meaningful practices make the holidays in Panama for expats more special because of the memorable way to celebrate the season with the warmth of the locals.
Holiday Dinner Traditions in Panama
For expats, the holidays in Panama are a unique time to enjoy family gatherings and dinners that blend local and international flavors. December is the perfect opportunity for visitors and foreign residents to sample traditional Panamanian dishes.
Panamanian Dishes Everyone Enjoys
Discovering the country through its rich holiday gastronomy is a unique experience that no visitor should miss. Holidays in Panama for expats become even more special when shared over local dishes such as rice with pigeon peas, prepared with fresh peas and local spices that add a special touch to the season. Another traditional dish is the Panamanian tamale: a flavorful blend of corn dough and seasoned meat, wrapped in banana leaves to create a rich, authentic taste.
Foreigners can also enjoy the festivities in Panama at home. For those who prefer to cook in the warmth of home and venture out with local recipes, there are simple and delicious dishes that can be prepared. Potato salad, with carrots and beets, is a common side dish that adds color and flavor to any festive table. For dessert, the traditional Panamanian fruit candy, made with papaya or pineapple cooked with sugar and spices, is a seasonal favorite. With ingredients easily found in local markets, foreigners can enjoy these recipes and create a cozy, festive mood in their own homes while they celebrate Panamanian style.
Where Expats Can Find Holiday Ingredients in Panama
For those looking to add a personal touch to their Christmas dishes, Panama offers a wide variety of international and local flavors. In supermarkets with nationwide presence, such as Riba Smith, Super 99 and Rey, which have branches in different cities of the country, you can find sections of imported products that allow you to recreate recipes from other countries, with options such as nougat, panettone, nuts and spices—perfect for celebrating the holidays in Panama as an expat or visitor.
In addition,in some cities you will find gourmet shops, such as Organica Store , that offer exclusive high-quality ingredients from Europe, the United States and Asia. There are also local markets, such as the Mercado de Abastos and Mercado San Felipe Neri in Panama City, with fresh vegetables, meats and seafood typical of Panama, perfect for those who want to add a local touch to their celebrations. With these options, the holidays in Panama become a true encounter of flavors and multiculturalism for expats.
How Expats Celebrate The Holidays in Panama
Celebrating the holidays in Panama as expats often involves combining traditions from their countries of origin with local customs, creating a rich, multicultural holiday experience. Many visitors and residents from other nations participate in community gatherings, prepare family Christmas dishes, and add Panamanian touches, such as rum punch and typical music, to their celebrations.
Each province has its own set of activities, but in all of them, you can find similarities in illuminations, parades, holiday markets, and places to see fireworks.
Illuminations of parks help families get out of the house and go for a walk. In each province, shopping centers like Urraca Park, Boquete Central Park, and Church Square in Bocas are sights to see and experience if you enjoy Christmas lights and decorations.
Parades are great for the young ones, with seasonal characters like Santa Claus, reindeer, and marching bands playing holiday music. Every city has its own parade. Be attentive to the news, the newspaper, and social media of the city you live in so you can enjoy this fun activity for young and adults.
Christmas markets bring opportunities for local artisans to help those seeking unique gifts, decorations, and that last item for the holidays ready. Yearly, you can find artisans’ markets all through beautiful Panama, and during the December holidays is no exception. Markets will pop up in shopping centers, plazas, and parks, and artisans present anything from art, jewelry, books, music, clothes, decorations, and even food that you can enjoy while in the country.
Fireworks are the cherry on top of the holiday season, and it is of the highest importance for Panama as well. All around the country, families, municipalities, and companies prepare fireworks for the 24th and 31st of December. Fireworks can be enjoyed everywhere, from towns to cities in Panama, on Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
These destinations offer expats a joyous and unforgettable season, each with its own unique character and festive events.
Expat Community Meetings and Events
Expats celebrating Christmas in Panama have many opportunities to enjoy family traditions and connect with the community. During the season, social media groups often organize Christmas and New Year’s Eve events, from festive dinners to gatherings that bring expats together. Feel free to look for these events on platforms like Facebook or Instagram, where expat communities frequently post about upcoming holiday activities.
The holidays in Panama for expats, as well as for visitors and locals, are an unforgettable experience filled with traditions and festive events. In addition, those who wish to stay longer have the possibility to apply for a visa program in the country.
Kraemer & Kramer wishes you and your loved ones a joyous season. Our law firm is always at your service to assist in many ways. If you have questions about our services, be sure to send us a message; at Kraemer & Kramer, we are here to help you.
