In Venezuela, worshippers traditionally use roller skates to travel to early Christmas Mass in Caracas.
The custom is associated with the Misa de Aguinaldo, or early morning Advent Masses, held during the days leading up to Christmas. In Caracas, roads have traditionally been closed in the early morning so people can skate to church safely. The practice became a distinctive urban Christmas image and is often highlighted in descriptions of Venezuelan holiday celebrations.
Misa de Aguinaldo services take place before Christmas Day and are accompanied by seasonal music and community participation. The word aguinaldo also refers to a Venezuelan Christmas song tradition, so the term can describe both the religious services and the musical culture around them.
The roller-skating custom is particularly linked with Caracas rather than being a universal practice throughout Venezuela. It is therefore more precise to identify the city and the early Mass tradition instead of saying that all Venezuelans travel to Christmas services this way.