Party Time! New Year and Christmas in Fiji
In Fiji it’s always time to celebrate and especially in December. New Year and Christmas in Fiji are huge events that last for days. Yes – days. And you thought you knew how to party.
Fiji has a diverse multicultural population so people enjoy the festive season in many different ways.
Like most of the Southern Hemisphere, Christmas in Fiji means sunny skies. Beaches, seafood and bare feet.
Fiji’s iTaukei people celebrate Christmas and New Year for two weeks. This is how you do it!
In the villages you’ll see traditional singing and dancing. Friends and family gather around a tanoa bowl and enjoy kava with plenty of laughs, reminiscing and anecdotes.
Around the world December means indulging and Christmas in Fiji is no exception.
Many households prepare a lovo – the feast to end all feasts. Lots of other traditional foods are enjoyed such as kokoda and vakalolo.
Kokoda is a delicious marinated seafood dish and vakalolo is a coconut dessert made with the cassava vegetable.
People party in their houses, in halls, parks and on the beach. Vaya Vaya Christmas trees are beautiful everywhere and nights are lit up with stunning modern LED technology.
Of course, many Fijians aren’t Christians, so they don’t have such a close connection with Christmas as others. However Fijian Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists all celebrate the festive season in their own way.
Families and communities come together to catch up, reflect and laugh. The food covers all cultures – Pacific, Indian and South-East Asian. All are mouth-wateringly good.
And for every Fijian, New Year’s Eve is a massive occasion.
You can join street parties in Nadi and Suva or hit the bars and pubs. Maybe jump on a boat to one of the endless resorts that all have something spectacular lined up.
Others are just happy to head straight for the beach and see in the new year from the shore.
In the cities you can truly get an appreciation of the rich diversity of cultures in Fiji. Bands, singing, dancing and fireworks all represent the vibrant multiculturalism of Fiji.
In traditional villages New Year celebrations last for at least a week. Clans come together to cook, eat, drink and be very, very merry.
Christmas in Fiji and New Year is also the chance to dress for the occasion.
An iTaukei custom is for men and women to wear a sulu. The sulu is a traditional garment worn on the lower body – not unlike a sarong.
December is a great time to get wet in Fiji. Many people show their excitement during the end of year celebrations by splashing each other with water.
It doesn’t stop there! The fun lovers also throw water at houses, cars and even buses to share the festive spirit.
Late December is a time for most of the world to sit back and reflect on the year passed. It’s a time to enjoy quality time with loved ones and laugh.
In Fiji it goes to the next level.
On behalf of everyone from the FijiDream team we wish you a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday season.
We look forward to seeing you soon in 2022.
Bula Vinaka!
