Facts About Christmas in Mexico

Mexico has many traditions for celebrating Christmas.

The Mexican culture is rich with traditions, especially for celebrating holidays. Christmas in Mexico is no exception, and there are a host of customs associated with the holiday. Recreating these customs can be easy to do at home with some tips and guidance on how the Mexican culture honors Christmas each year.

Our Lady of Guadalupe

Taking place each year on Dec. 12 in Mexico, the fiesta or party for Our Lady of Guadalupe is often considered the start of the Christmas celebrations. On this day residents from across the country make a pilgrimage to the Basílica of Guadalupe in Mexico City. Once there, those in attendance pray, leave favors, sing and dance.

The Nine Posadas

The nine posadas begins on Dec. 16, and is a nine-day celebration that ends on Dec. 24. The period signifies Mary and Joseph's quest to find a place to stay, and on each night during this time, a family in the town will open its home to the whole neighborhood for food and drink.

Pinatas

Pinatas, hollow animal-shaped items filled with toys and candy, are a traditional item found at many Mexican celebrations, including Christmas. Pinatas are used during most Christmas festivities, including the nine posadas. On each night of the posadas, the host family presents a pinata in its home for guests to swing at with a stick.

Pastorelas

Storytelling is important to the Mexican culture, and at Christmas in Mexico residents participate in pastorelas. The pastorelas are skits performed by neighbors that tell the stories of the sheperds travelling to see the baby Jesus. These skits are considered comedies and often include political jokes or adult humor.

Nativity Scene

The nativity scene is the centerpiece of Mexican Christmas, even more so than a Christmas tree. These sets are put up on Dec. 16, the night of the first posada, but the baby Jesus is only placed in the manger on Dec. 24. The three kings are not added until Jan. 5.

References

• Inside Mexico: Christmas in Mexico