Nochebuena, the “good night” of Christmas Eve, is the main Christmas celebration in many Latino and Spanish-speaking families. It usually means a long dinner on December 24, music, family from near and far, and for many, Misa de Gallo (midnight Mass). In 2026, Nochebuena falls on Thursday, December 24.
This guide gives you Nochebuena invitation wording in English and Spanish, short texts for WhatsApp and the family group chat, and tips on what to include. You can also start from one of our Christmas party invitations and send it as a single link.
Quick Answer: What to Write on a Nochebuena Invitation
Give the date (Thursday, December 24, 2026), an arrival time and a dinner time (many families eat late), the address, what the night includes (dinner, gifts at midnight, Misa de Gallo) and which dish each family brings. One in each language:
Join us for Nochebuena! Thursday, Dec 24. Arrive 8 pm, dinner at 9:30, gifts at midnight. Please tell us how many are coming by Dec 18.
¡Te invitamos a la Nochebuena! Jueves 24 de diciembre, 8 p.m. Cena, música y brindis a medianoche. Confirma antes del 18.
What to Include in a Nochebuena Invitation
- Date and time: “Thursday, December 24, dinner at 9 pm.” Many families eat late, so give both an arrival time and a dinner time.
- Address, and whether guests can stay overnight.
- The plan for the night: dinner, music, gift opening at midnight, Misa de Gallo.
- Food: whether it’s a potluck and what dish each family should bring (tamales, pernil, lechón, ensalada, postres).
- Dress: “dress festive” or “come comfortable.”
- RSVP: how many from each household are coming.
Nochebuena Invitation Wording in English
Join us for Nochebuena!
Thursday, December 24 · Arrive 8 pm · Dinner at 9:30
The García home, 125 Palm Avenue
Music, family and plenty of food. Gifts at midnight.
Please let us know how many are coming by December 18.
We’d love for you to spend Christmas Eve with us. Dinner, music and our traditional midnight toast. Thursday, Dec 24 at 8 pm. Bring your appetite (and your dancing shoes).
Nochebuena Dinner
Celebrate Christmas Eve with the Rivera family.
Dinner at 9 pm, then Misa de Gallo together at midnight for anyone who’d like to join.
Nochebuena Invitation Wording in Spanish
¡Te invitamos a celebrar la Nochebuena!
Jueves 24 de diciembre · 8:00 p.m.
Casa de la familia Hernández
Cena, música y brindis a medianoche. Confirma por favor antes del 18 de diciembre.
Querida familia: este año la Nochebuena es en nuestra casa. Los esperamos el 24 a las 8 para cenar juntos y abrir los regalos a las 12. ¡No falten!
Esta Nochebuena queremos compartir la mesa contigo. Jueves 24 de diciembre, 9 p.m. Trae tu platillo favorito y muchas ganas de celebrar.
Short Texts for WhatsApp and the Family Chat
Familia 🎄 Nochebuena at our house this year! Thursday the 24th, 8 pm. Please reply with how many are coming and which dish you’re bringing.
Nochebuena en casa de mamá, 24 de diciembre a las 8. ¿Quién trae los tamales? 🫔
Reminder: Nochebuena tomorrow! Dinner at 9, gifts at midnight. Bring a jacket for the patio.
¡Ya casi es Nochebuena! Confirma aquí si vienes y cuántos son: [link]
Potluck Wording for Nochebuena
We’re doing Nochebuena potluck style this year. We’ll make the pernil; could your family bring a side or dessert? Reply with your dish so we don’t double up.
Este año cada familia trae un platillo: nosotros ponemos el lechón y el ponche. Avísanos qué traes tú.
Timing Tips
- Send the invitation early December, at least two to three weeks ahead, since families travel and plans fill up.
- Ask for headcount by household, not just yes or no.
- Send a reminder on December 22 or 23 with the final time and parking notes.
For more ideas, see Christmas Eve invitations, Christmas party invitation wording and, in Spanish, frases para invitación de Navidad and texto para invitación de cena de Navidad.
Send a Nochebuena Video Invitation
A design like Christmas Moonlit Dinner suits a late family dinner. Open it in the TwistInvite app, add your Nochebuena details in English, Spanish or both, and send one link to the family chat. Relatives open it in their browser and reply Going, Can’t make it or Maybe, with no account needed and email optional. You can also hold to record a voice message for the family to hear.
How to Plan Nochebuena Invitations, Step by Step
- Choose the host home and confirm it with the family early, often by late November.
- Set the timeline for the night: arrival, dinner, gifts, Mass or dancing.
- Make a dish list so each household knows what to bring.
- Send the invitation in early December in English, Spanish or both.
- Ask for headcount by household, including kids and overnight guests.
- Send a reminder on December 22 or 23 with the final times.
Wording for Specific Family Situations
When the family is spread out
Primos, Nochebuena is at Tía Carmen’s this year! If you’re flying in, let us know your dates so we can sort out where everyone sleeps.
Including relatives who can’t attend
For anyone who can’t make it this year, we’ll call you at midnight for the toast. ¡Los extrañamos!
A small Nochebuena for friends
No family nearby this Christmas Eve? Join our little Nochebuena dinner on Thursday, Dec 24 at 8. Pernil, rice and beans, and good company.
Gift rules
Gift exchange at midnight: one gift per person, $30 limit. Kids open theirs first!
Dress and overnight notes
Wear something festive and comfortable. Beds and couches are available for anyone staying over; let us know.
Reminder and Thank-You Messages
Two days before
Nochebuena is Thursday! Arrive at 8, dinner at 9:30. Please bring your dish in a container you don’t need back, and don’t forget the gift for the exchange.
Day of, in Spanish
¡Hoy es Nochebuena! Los esperamos a las 8. Si van a llegar tarde, avísennos para guardarles plato.
The morning after
Thank you all for an unforgettable Nochebuena. The house was full of music and love. ¡Feliz Navidad!
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Giving only one time when arrival and dinner are hours apart.
- Asking yes/no instead of how many people per household.
- Not coordinating dishes, so everyone brings tamales.
- Sending it too late, after relatives have booked travel.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Nochebuena?
Nochebuena is Christmas Eve, December 24. In many Latino and Spanish-speaking families it is the main Christmas celebration, with a late family dinner, music and often midnight Mass.
When is Nochebuena in 2026?
Nochebuena is on Thursday, December 24, 2026. Most celebrations start in the evening and continue past midnight.
What should a Nochebuena invitation say?
Include the date, arrival and dinner times, address, what the night will include, any dish guests should bring and how to RSVP.
Can I write the invitation in both English and Spanish?
Yes. Bilingual invitations are common for Nochebuena, especially when the family includes different generations. Keep the key details the same in both languages.
What food is served at Nochebuena?
It varies by family and country. Common dishes include pernil or lechón (roast pork), tamales, rice and beans, bacalao, ensalada and desserts such as flan or turrón.
Do you bring a gift to Nochebuena?
If there is a gift exchange, the invitation should say so and give a budget. Otherwise a dish, a dessert or a bottle for the table is a welcome gesture.
Make Your Nochebuena Invitation
Pick a Christmas design, add your details and send one link to the whole family. Browse Christmas video invitations.
Create it in the TwistInvite app
Download free on iPhone or Android, then share one link with your guests.