When you think of Thanksgiving, what comes to mind is gratitude, togetherness, and, most of all, food! In many parts of Latin America and Spain, festivals connected to agriculture and the harvest carry themes similar to Thanksgiving. While Spanish-speaking countries don’t celebrate Thanksgiving in the same way Americans do, they share similar harvest traditions that honor family, community, and a feast of delicious gifts from the earth!
La Fiesta de la Vendimia
Held in the wine regions of Spain, like La Rioja or Jerez, this celebration honors the grape harvest. Communities enjoy parades, dancing, and, of course, wine tasting. Like Thanksgiving’s agricultural roots, this festival pays tribute to farmers and gives thanks for the fruits of their labor.
Día de la Cosecha
Different than having a single, unifying day of thanks like in the U.S., in Mexico there are a variety of celebrations for the harvest season, such as Día Nacional del Maíz that takes place during the end of September. Additionally, different festivals are celebrated in the states of Chihuahua, Mirandillas, and Morelos during the month of October. During these festivities, local communities celebrate with music, dancing, shared meals, and by giving thanks to the earth and local saints for a good harvest.
Inti Raymi (Festival of the Sun)
Though it takes place in June, Peru’s Festival of the Sun celebrates the harvest season in the Southern Hemisphere just as Thanksgiving is celebrated during the harvest season in North America. Dating back to the time of the Incas, the festivities honor the sun god Inti. It’s a time of music, food, cultural pride, and gratitude for nature’s gifts.
Grape Harvest Festivals of South America
In Argentina, Chile, Bolivia, and Uruguay the vendimias take place in March during their harvest time. Similar to Thanksgiving, these celebrations blend Indigenous and European traditions. Tourists and locals alike enjoy parades, pageants, and offerings of the first wine of the season.
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By Kelli Drummer-Avendano
Also read:
Global Traditions of Giving Thanks: Lessons for Language Learners
Thanksgiving Around the World: Celebrations and Cultural Adaptations
