Réveillon facts for kids
A Réveillon (say "reh-VEE-yon") is a special, long dinner party. It happens the night before important holidays like Christmas Day or New Year's Day. The name comes from the French word réveil, which means "waking up." This is because people often stay awake until the early morning hours, enjoying the meal and the celebration!
This tradition is popular in places like France, Belgium, and Brazil. You'll also find it in parts of Canada (like Quebec and New Brunswick) and in New Orleans in the United States. In countries where people speak Portuguese, "Réveillon" is also the name for the big party before New Year's Day. Many French American families in New England also celebrate Réveillon.
The idea of Réveillon started in France in the 1700s. Back then, it was a fancy, all-night dinner party held by rich families. After the French Revolution, the word became widely used to describe the New Year's Eve celebration.
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What Do People Eat at a Réveillon?
The food at a Réveillon is usually very special and delicious! It's often more luxurious than everyday meals.
Appetizers and Main Dishes
For starters, you might find fancy foods like lobster, oysters, or escargots (snails). A classic main dish is turkey served with chestnuts. If you're celebrating Réveillon in Quebec, Canada, you'll often see a type of meat pie called tourtière.
Sweet Treats
Dessert is a big part of the Réveillon. A popular choice is a Yule log, which is a cake shaped like a log and called a bûche de Noël in French. In a region of France called Provence, there's a tradition of serving thirteen desserts. These often include a special bread called pompe à l'huile and dates.
Drinks
Special drinks are usually served with these dinners. Often, people enjoy champagne or other bubbly drinks at the end of the meal.
Christmas Réveillon vs. New Year's Réveillon
Even though both are called Réveillon, there are some differences in how they are celebrated.
Christmas Réveillon
The Christmas Réveillon is usually a family event. It's a time for families to gather and celebrate together, often focusing on the traditional meaning of Christmas.
New Year's Réveillon
The New Year's Eve Réveillon, also known as Saint-Sylvestre, is more often a party with friends. People might go out to a show or watch special TV programs to welcome the new year.
How Réveillon is Called in Other Countries
- In Italy, the Christmas Réveillon is called Cenone di Natale, and the New Year's one is Cenone di Capodanno.
- In Poland, the Christmas Eve dinner is known as Wigilia.
- In Brazil, the Christmas dinner is Ceia de Natal, and the New Year's dinner is Ceia de Ano Novo. The word Réveillon itself is also used for the big New Year's Eve celebration.
