What is a “Parranda”?

The Daughters & Sons of Borikén 1st Annual Parranda Rebelde at Counter & Bodega in Chelsea (Manhattan)

In recent years, as fewer people subscribe to the concept of Thanksgiving, we’ve started seeing Christmas trees and decorations before turkeys and cornucopias. As December rolls around, communities all over the world look forward to embracing the spirit of Christmas. In Puerto Rico, the sound of güiros, the smell of arroz con dulce, and the taste of coquito welcome the Christmas season, along with parrandas that showcase the true value of community.

A parranda is a boisterous gathering of people who go to the homes of friends and relatives while singing aguinaldos. It’s similar to Christmas caroling, but instead of a “silent night,” it’s more of a party — eating pasteles, sipping on coquito, and picking up people on the way to the next home.

On December 12, 2025, the Daughters and Sons of Borikén will be hosting its 1st Annual Parranda Rebelde at Counter & Bodega located at 216 7th Avenue in Manhattan. It will be a night of culture, community, and joy. The parranda begins at 7pm and will be led by Bombayo.

After the parranda, there will be a Bomba performance tapping into the ancestral roots of the island, along with a segment to honor the resistance movement for the island.

A $50 donation includes a coquito drink raffle ticket, pernil, arroz con gandules, alcapurrias, pasteles with live music and a DJ all night. Your donation supports the non-profit, Vieques Love, which helps provide safer, cleaner, and cozier elder care in Vieques, Puerto Rico. There will also be a collection for comfort items for elders, such as diapers, wipes, ointments, pads, robes, slippers, blankets, pajamas, and more.