Las Posadas are an endearing part of the Christmas holidays in Mexico that give joy to young and old. Nowadays, any party held on these dates may be called a posada. Traditional ones, though, begin with a procession in remembrance of the biblical story in which Mary and Joseph searched for shelter to have their child.
Each gathering, held over the course of nine days before Christmas, features live music and singing, children dressed as angels, piñatas, and tasty food. You’ll find them in every corner of Mexico, though celebrations also take place in a few other Latin American countries and parts of the United States!
Below, we’ll take a closer look at this centuries-old tradition. You’ll notice we’ve included must-know Spanish vocabulary that will help you deepen your understanding of Las Posadas. To take your Spanish and cultural knowledge a step further, try Rosetta Stone. Our fun, immersive approach to learning allows our users to get conversation-ready in no time.
What are Las Posadas?
Las Posadas are a kind of traveling dramatic work and extended prayer that occur over the course of the nine nights before Christmas. This tradition dates back over 400 years to the early days of Spanish colonization, when Spanish friars led the celebrations across Mexico. Nowadays, neighborhoods and local churches organize these events.
Each night is a reenactment of the biblical narrative of Joseph and Mary’s journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem in search for a place for Mary to give birth.
To retell this story, neighbors in Mexico start planning for Las Posadas months in advance, but most people just get to show up and enjoy the beauty of Las Posadas. Nine houses are chosen for each of the nights, from December 16-24, and of course the main actors, usually children, and musicians are selected as well.
We’ll take you through the procession, songs, traditional foods, and more below.
Procession
Each night, two children are chosen to play the role of Mary and Joseph. Others are dressed as angels and shepherds, and occasionally, there’s even a donkey. The participants are called pastores, which means “shepherds.” If you see a lot of kids dressed in robes, you’ve found a posada!
The procession can start anywhere in town, and while a handful of performers will wait inside the designated house, an angel or two “captains” are chosen to lead the procession.
One person leads the procession with a luminaria, a lit candle in a paper or cellophane holder. They may carry luces de bengala (“sparklers”) as well. The rest of the group follows through the streets singing and playing music until they reach the designated house. Flowers or religious statuary may also be carried by the participants.
Singing and religious components
Once the group reaches the house, there’s a call and response that occurs. The people of the group outside piden posada (ask for lodging), and that night’s host and group responds from inside.
To mirror the biblical story, the participants are refused lodging. Recited scripture or prayers may play a part in the event, either at the house or along the way. Sometimes the processions end at the local church, where mass is said.
But once the procession is over—and in the spirit of the holidays—the community is welcomed in and the party begins, complete with traditional food and drink. Christmas carols called villancicos are also sung, and dancing may take place.
On the final night, December 24, Mary and Joseph are finally given posada (a place to stay)—just in time for Christmas day celebrations.
Piñatas, punch, and food
Piñatas are the life of the party at any event. During Las Posadas, they really get the chance to shine! For this holiday, piñatas are often in the form of a star, which represents the one that guided the Three Wise Men to Bethlehem.
A child is blindfolded and gently turned around to disorient them a bit, and other children sing a song called “Rompe la piñata” (“Break the Piñata”). The blindfolded child tries to hit the piñata, usually hung on a rope, with a stick while adults move the piñata up and down on the rope.
Although not well-known, the piñata ritual has ties to ancient Mayan and Aztec practices, later adopted by Catholic missionaries in Mexico. Usually handmade of clay pots and painted paper mache, piñatas contain sweets, nuts, and fruit.
Children and adults alike often receive a delicious hot ponche (punch) made of dried and fresh fruit, natural sugarcane, and pilloncillo, a kind of brown sugar. Snacks or a light meal like tamales are served, and guests receive party favors called aguinaldos to take home.
>> Equip yourself with Spanish words and phrases so you’ll be ready for the holiday season.
Where does Las Posadas take place?
Las Posadas generally occurs by neighborhood. Often connected to a particular Catholic parish, Las Posadas requires the commitment and organization of a large group of neighbors. Because of the planning involved, Las Posadas are limited to a small area of a town or city. Elementary schools often have a single-event posada before winter break.
What do people wear during Las Posadas?
Los pastores, the children who participate in Las Posadas, usually wear homemade costumes, or ones bought at traditional Mexican markets called tianguis (derived from the Nahuatl). These costumes feature white robes, feathered wings, and sparkly halos. You’ll see lots of angels and tinsel!
While there are a variety of costume options for the other characters, there will always be a pair of children dressed as Mary and Joseph, and a trio costumed as the Three Wise Men (in anticipation of Three Kings Day). These costumes usually consist of satiny tunics with a rope belt and possibly an additional piece of fabric worn to the side over one shoulder and a headcovering. Metallic trim is popular too.
More elaborate and codified costumes are also used, especially for Christmas Eve. That said, for simpler posadas, there are no costumes, and either way, adults rarely dress up.
What song is sung during Las Posadas?
A special litany is sung during las Posadas by two groups, those outside the dwelling, los peregrinos who ask for lodging, and those inside, los hospederos who at first deny entrance to the peregrinos until they’re told it’s the “Queen of the Heavens” outside.
Though the song is not difficult to sing, it is famous for extending the vowels for several notes on each line. Participants usually carry a small book or paper so they don’t forget their part of the song. By the end of the exchange, los hospederos sing: ¡Entren santos peregrinos, peregrinos! (Come in holy pilgrims!). Once you’ve heard this song, it’ll be hard to get it out of your head!
>> Not sure how to pronounce song lyrics in Spanish? Try TruAccent so you can sing your heart out!
What traditional Mexican foods are served during Las Posadas?
Appetizers or antojitos are served for Las Posadas, and the menu can vary a great deal. Here are just a few of the many possible dishes that can be served.
- Buñuelos and hot chocolate: These are a bit like funnel cakes, except that they’re completely flat. They’re served with syrup in a bowl and often accompanied with hot chocolate. In some places like Oaxaca the clay pots in which they’re served may be (safely) smashed against a wall or on the ground as one makes a wish for the New Year.
- Tostadas: Tostadas are flat tortillas that have been fried or baked. From there, the first layer is generally refried beans. After that, add whatever your imagination will allow: shredded chicken, fish, tinga (a chicken dish made with tomatoes), cheese, or chopped beef. They’re often topped with sour cream, salsa or pickled chilis, tomato, lettuce and avocado. Mm!
- Atole: There’s no great translation for the word atole except to say that it’s comforting and warming on a chilly winter night. With an immense number of ways to prepare it, let’s just say atole is a rich, creamy hot drink made with some kind of grain, which is lightly sweetened and flavored. Usually made with corn or sometimes oatmeal, strawberry, chocolate, or cinnamon are common flavors–but there’s even one made with spicy chili! Whatever way it’s made, atole is a welcome drink after a night of singing.
How to celebrate Las Posadas in Mexico or at home
If you want to be sure to attend Las Posadas in Mexico, you can ask about them at the local tourist office, at your hotel, or with your neighbors. Most cities also have an official website that posts events. If you’re in Mexico for Christmas, you’ll also probably run into a posada by simply being out and about in the early evening on December 16-24.
Mexican holidays are a real treat, but if you can’t make it to Mexico, there are usually options in big U.S. cities, especially in the Southwest. We’ve made a list of some of the well-known posada celebrations in the United States for you:
- San Antonio, Texas: What’s known as La Gran Posada, the great or big posada, is held in two places, the cathedral and the basilica, every year.
- Santa Fe, New Mexico: Founded by the Spanish in 1607, New Mexico’s version of Las Posadas has been celebrated for forty-six years around the plaza and at the New Mexico History Museum.
- St. Augustine, Florida: Another town founded by the Spanish (in 1565), St. Augustine also holds an annual posada at the Mission Nombre de Dios.
- Los Angeles, California: How can a city called The Angels not celebrate Las Posadas? It’s been a tradition to hold posadas on Olvera Street since the 1930s. Posadas are also held in some of the state parks in California.
What other festivities occur during Christmas in Mexico?
More than a day, Christmas involves an entire season in Mexico. It lasts from mid-December to early February!
Here is a list of the important dates during las Fiestas Navideñas (“Christmas season festivities”) in Mexico:
- December 12: Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe (Virgin of Guadalupe Day)
- December 16-24: Las Posadas
- December 24: Nochebuena (Christmas Eve)
- December 25: Navidad (Christmas Day)
- December 28: Día de los Santos Inocentes (Holy Innocents Day)
- January 6: Día de los Tres Reyes Magos (Three Kings Day)
- February 2: Candelaria (Candlemas)
Make the most of every celebration
Whether you decide to enjoy Las Posadas at home or in Mexico, learning Spanish will enrich your experience as it allows you to communicate with more people. If you’re working with a diverse community, your Hispanic clients will appreciate your knowledge of their traditions. Or maybe you’re a Spanish heritage speaker who wants to impress your abuelita (grandmother) for Christmas.
No matter the reason you’re interested in the Spanish language and Mexican traditions, learning Spanish with Rosetta Stone won’t bog you down with tedious memorization. Instead, it will immerse you in a natural language setting, and you’ll be on your way to singing at Las Posadas before you can say santos peregrinos.
Written by Rowena Galavitz
Rowena Galavitz is a Spanish translator, bilingual copy editor, and language and literature instructor with three master’s degrees who loves Spanish and all things Mexico.
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