parranda

Parranda is a term used in Spanish-speaking cultures with several related meanings, typically referring to a festive gathering, revelry, or a group of musicians. In many Caribbean contexts, it also designates a Christmas caroling tradition in which groups go from house to house singing traditional songs, often accompanied by instruments.

In Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic, parrandas are a Christmas practice in which groups of friends visit homes at night, singing aguinaldos and villancicos, and playing instruments such as guitar, cuatro, maracas, and tambourines. Hosts may offer food and drinks, and the procession can continue through the night or culminate in a final gathering at a designated home. The activity emphasizes sociability, communal music-making, and hospitality.

Beyond the Christmas season, parranda can refer more generally to a party or informal gathering with music and dancing in countries like Venezuela and Colombia, where it denotes lively celebrations that may last late into the night. In musical contexts, a parranda can also describe a group of musicians who perform at celebrations or an informal jam session; repertoires vary by region and may include traditional folk music, festive songs, or contemporary genres.

Etymology traces parranda to a sense of spree or revelry in Spanish, reflecting its social function as a communal form of entertainment and festive expression. The term thus encompasses both social gatherings and musical ensembles, with regional variations in practice and repertoire.