This is our first in a series of “Christmas in….” All of the Bellissima Correspondents will be showing off their great city in the next week, so stay tuned!
Christmas is to Brazilians what Thanksgiving is to Americans, with the anticipation, family reunions and a big bird for super included. And super never arrives earlier than 10 pm, so we are prepared to snack during the entire day not to ruin the magnificent meal at night.
We do wish for a White Christmas but unfortunately it is summer this time of the year on this side of the Equator. Despite this unfortunate tiny detail, shopping malls are the perfect destination to get that wintery feeling, since there are really no big windows decorations like Saks or Selfridges in town and the weather doesn’t help at all. Every shopping mall erects at least one, if not several, elaborate Christmas diorama like displays and three story high Christmas trees. There are plenty of fake snow, fur-clad Santas, gigantic teddy bears, real sized Rudolphs and Frosty the Snowman plush toys. It’s about 90 degrees out and the AC is blasting inside the malls.
The city comes alive at night with all the buildings in town featuring light displays that simulated snowfall or lights hanging in the shape of snowflakes. The tree trunks around streets and avenues are illuminated as well. Another great destination is Paulista Avenue with its décor and Christmas caroling and Ibirapuera Park that has fountain shows all night long from the lake (think of the Bellagio show in a smaller scale) and yet another big Christmas tree.
I want to wish you all a great time during the holidays and a smashing New Year!
Comments
One response to “Christmas in São Paulo, 2103!”
Goodness! This is glorious! Got me in the mood instantly! Thank you for this amazing article!