On Christmas Eve, called 'véspera de Natal', Brazilian families gather for a big dinner late at night - usually starting around 10 or 11 in the evening. The meal might include roast turkey or chicken, rice, salads, and a special bread called 'panettone' (which has dried fruit baked into it). Kids often try to stay up until midnight, when presents are opened.
Father Christmas is called 'Papai Noel' in Portuguese. The story Brazilian children grow up with says he comes all the way from his workshop, lands on the rooftop with his reindeer, and leaves presents under the Christmas tree. Lots of Brazilian houses have a tree even though it is much too hot for a real evergreen, so they use a plastic one.
Many cities decorate their squares with huge Christmas trees, lights, and figures of Papai Noel - even on beaches. Rio de Janeiro often puts up a giant floating Christmas tree on a lake in the city - around 80 metres tall, with lights, music, and fireworks. People go down to see it in shorts and flip-flops.
Even though the weather is the opposite of a 'white Christmas', Brazilian Natal still has the same heart as Christmas everywhere: family, food, songs, presents, and time off school. Children write letters to Papai Noel, hang up decorations with their parents, and stay up late on the 24th waiting for midnight.