Posted on Dec 22, 2025 / Society

In Mexico, Christmas is a deeply communal and religious celebration that often begins in mid‑December and continues through January 6th with the feast of the Three Kings. The central tradition is Las Posadas, a nine‑night reenactment of Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter, with processions, prayers, songs, and communal gatherings. During Posadas, children and adults carry candles and figurines through their neighbourhoods, ending each night with feasting, piñatas, and ponche navideño, a warm fruit punch. Homes, streets, and churches are decorated with poinsettias (called nochebuena), representing both Mexican and Christian symbolism of the season. On Christmas Eve (Nochebuena), families attend Midnight Mass, known as Misa de Gallo, and then enjoy a large dinner with traditional foods such as tamales, bacalao, and romeritos. Gift‑giving often happens on Christmas Eve rather than Christmas morning, and families may also celebrate Epiphany with gifts on January 6th. The festive season emphasises togetherness, faith, and generosity, with community events and decorations bringing towns and cities to life. These celebrations reflect both long‑standing indigenous influences and Spanish Catholic traditions.
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