The first week of December, Quito celebrates its Spanish foundation, which took place on December 6th, 1534. The “Jesus del Gran Poder” bullfight fair takes place from Wednesday, November 28th thru Thursday, December 6th, at 12h00. This fair is one of the most important in America, with the participation of the best national and international bullfighters. For more information visit www.feriadequito.com.

During the festivities, chivas can be seen all around the city. Chivas are open, colorful buses, typical of the Coast, with a live band and where canelazos (warm alcoholic drinks with cinnamon) are served. Chivas are usually full of people dancing to the band's rhythm and continuously repeating “Viva Quito!”

Most of the hotels, bars and restaurants offer buffets of Spanish food, sangria and flamenco shows. The night of December 5th is when the most and largest parties take place all throughout the city.

CHRISTMAS CELEBRATIONS
The Pases del Niño are parades of baby Jesus and the Holly Family. They are organized throughout the country from December 15th through the 24th.

The most famous Pase del Niño takes place in Cuenca on December 24th, with floats and carriages of religious events related to Christmas. Some of the carriages and floats also refer to indigenous and folkloric traditions of the region.

Nativity Scenes can be seen in most Ecuadorian homes and in all the churches. We recommend that you visit the various churches found in every location of the country, where the best efforts are put forward to build magnificent Nativity Scenes. In most towns and cities Nativity Scenes' contests take place.

The Nativity Scenes at homes are used for the Novena Prayers. Novena means “ninth” and the prayers take their name because they start nine nights prior to Chrismtas Eve, on December 16th. Every night families gather to carry out these prayers, which consist of a short Bible reading of the days before Jesus' birth, some prayers, and finally traditional Christmas Carols (called “villancicos” in Spanish). Typical food for Novenas include hot chocolate made from pure cacao chocolate bars and buñuelos (sweet flour cakes with jaggery).

NEW YEAR´S EVE
Besides the fireworks that are used almost universally, Ecuador has a peculiar way to “burn” the year that is coming to an end. People build años viejos, which literally mean old years but refers to something like human size puppets or effigies representing mostly politicians and other important public characters, both national and international, and sometimes even TV actors and actresses and cartoons. These puppets are made with maché paper masks and are filled up with sawdust. At midnight, años viejos are burnt and people usually jump over the fire. Sometimes notes with regrets from the past year are pinned to the año viejo so that they be burnt and forgotten. It is also common to see “widows” (men dressed in mourn) crying and asking for money to compensate for the loss of their husband, the año viejo. A peculiar way to leave the ending year behind!

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