Christmas Day in Haiti is a blend of traditional Western practices and local customs. It is a public holiday and a time for Haitians to gather with family and friends to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. Much like other countries, Christmas Day in Haiti, locally known as 'Nwel', is celebrated with festive music, hearty meals, and the exchange of gifts.
In Haiti, many homes are decorated with lights, nativity scenes, and shiny paper. Christmas trees are not common due to the tropical climate, instead, many people opt to decorate smaller shrubs or poinsettias. Haitian families attend midnight Mass together, known as 'Messe de Minuit', which is filled with music and dancing, with traditional Haitian songs sung in Creole.
Food plays a significant part in the Haitian Christmas celebration. Special holiday dishes include diri ak djon djon (a black mushroom rice), griot (fried pork), and a variety of flavorful stews. Desserts typically include fruitcake and sweet potato pudding. After dinner, families spend the night singing, dancing, and celebrating the spirit of Christmas until the break of dawn.