Las Posadas: Mexico’s Christmas Processions and Their Meaning
In Mexico, the Christmas season officially begins on December 16 with Las Posadas, nine beautiful nights of processions, songs, candles, and celebration. These celebrations bring whole neighborhoods together to remember the journey of Mary and Joseph as they searched for shelter in Bethlehem before the birth of Jesus.
Las Posadas are part prayer, part theater, and part neighborhood fiesta. They combine religious devotion with music, piñatas, and delicious food, expressing the joy and warmth of Christmas in Mexico.
What Are Las Posadas?
The word posada means “inn” or “lodging.” During Las Posadas, families and neighbors reenact the moment when Mary and Joseph, about to welcome baby Jesus, go from door to door asking for a place to stay. Each night from December 16 to 24, a different home or community space becomes the setting for this living Christmas tradition.
A group of “pilgrims” walks through the streets, often carrying figures of Mary and Joseph or a small nativity scene. They stop at a house and sing special verses asking for shelter. At first, they are refused. Verse by verse, those inside finally recognize who they are and open the doors. Everyone enters, prayers are said, and then the party begins.
Origins of Las Posadas
The roots of Las Posadas go back to the first centuries of colonial Mexico. Spanish missionaries wanted to teach the Nativity story in a way that was vivid and easy to remember. They created processions, songs, and short dramatizations that could be performed in churches, convents, and plazas.
In the 16th century, friars in central Mexico began to celebrate special Advent and pre-Christmas Masses known as misas de aguinaldo. These celebrations included music, candles, and scenes from the Christmas story. Over time, the devotion moved beyond church walls and into the streets and homes, becoming the neighborhood Posadas we know today.
The nine nights of Posadas are usually understood as a novena: nine days of prayer and preparation before Christmas. Many people say they also symbolize the nine months of Mary’s pregnancy.
Meaning and Symbolism
Welcoming Those Who Seek Shelter
At its heart, each Posada is about offering shelter. When the pilgrims ask for posada, they represent not only the Holy Family, but also all those who travel, migrate, or are in need. The home that finally opens its doors becomes, symbolically, the inn in Bethlehem and a heart that welcomes Christ.
For many people, Las Posadas are also a reminder to look with compassion on strangers, neighbors, and anyone who is searching for a safe place in the world.
The Traditional Piñata
No Posada is complete without a brightly colored piñata. The most traditional piñata has the shape of a star with seven points.
- The seven points are often said to represent the Seven Deadly Sins.
- The person who is blindfolded and hits the piñata represents faith, trusting without seeing.
- The stick symbolizes the strength and virtues needed to overcome temptation.
- The candies and fruits that rain down stand for the blessings and graces that come when we defeat sin.
Originally, piñatas in Mexico were made from clay pots covered with paper and decorated with bright colors. Today, for safety, most are made from cardboard, but the symbolism and joy remain the same.
Light in the Darkness
Candles, lanterns, and sparklers are another important part of Las Posadas. The little flames represent the light of Christ and the Star of Bethlehem that guided the shepherds and Wise Men. As the pilgrims walk through the streets with candles in their hands, the neighborhood is gently illuminated, turning the night itself into a celebration.
How a Traditional Posada Is Celebrated
Preparing for the Posada
Before the Posadas begin, neighbors or family members decide who will host each night from December 16 to 24. The host prepares a space for a nativity scene, candles, and perhaps a small altar. They also get ready with ponche navideño (hot Christmas punch), tamales, and treats for children known as aguinaldos—little bags filled with candy, peanuts, and fruit.
The Procession of Pilgrims
As evening falls, the pilgrims gather. Some carry the figures of Mary and Joseph or a small nativity, and sometimes a child will dress up as Mary, another as Joseph, and another as an angel. Together, they walk through the streets, singing villancicos—traditional Christmas carols.
When they arrive at the host house, the group divides. Those inside and those outside begin the traditional Posada song, a call-and-response in which the pilgrims beg for shelter and the “innkeepers” answer from behind the closed door. Only in the final verses do those inside open the doors and welcome the Holy Family and the entire procession.
Prayer and Celebration
Once everyone is inside, some families pray the rosary, others read a short passage from the Bible about the Nativity, and others simply offer a prayer of thanksgiving. Very often, the figure of the Baby Jesus is passed from hand to hand and lovingly kissed.
After the prayers, the atmosphere changes. It is time for the fiesta. Children line up to break the piñata; traditional songs are sung as each child takes a turn. When the piñata finally bursts, there is laughter and a joyful scramble to collect sweets and fruit.
Food and drink are shared: hot ponche made with guavas, tejocotes, sugar cane, cinnamon, and hibiscus; tamales, buñuelos, churros, atole or champurrado, and of course chocolate caliente. Every region in Mexico adds its own special flavors and customs.
Posadas in Different Places
The way Las Posadas are celebrated can vary from one region to another:
- In some towns, the processions go from house to house, with many neighbors participating each night.
- In large cities, Posadas might take place inside apartment buildings, schools, churches, or offices.
- There are special school Posadas, where children learn the songs, break the piñata, and enjoy ponche and small aguinaldos.
- In workplaces, “Posadas” often take the form of end-of-year parties that may keep a few traditional elements, like a nativity scene or a piñata.
Mexican communities outside of Mexico, especially in the United States and other parts of the Americas, also organize Posadas in parishes and cultural centers. These celebrations help preserve traditions and pass them on to new generations born far from Mexico.
From Posadas to Noche Buena and Beyond
The ninth and final Posada takes place on December 24, Noche Buena. It often blends directly into the family celebration of Christmas Eve, with a special dinner, the placing of the Baby Jesus figure in the nativity scene, and the Misa de Gallo, the Midnight Mass.
In many homes, the Christmas season continues with the arrival of Los Reyes Magos on January 6 and the sharing of the Rosca de Reyes. Those who find the figurine of the Baby Jesus hidden in their slice of bread will host another gathering on February 2, Día de la Candelaria.
In this way, Las Posadas are the joyful doorway into a long and beautiful season that runs from mid-December to early February.
Las Posadas: Faith, Community, and Joy
Las Posadas are much more than a series of parties. They are a living tradition that brings together faith, memory, and community. Through songs, lights, and shared food, families remember Mary and Joseph’s journey and renew the values of hospitality, solidarity, and hope.
So if you are in Mexico in December, listen for the singing in the streets, the laughter of children breaking a piñata, and the aroma of hot ponche. Somewhere nearby, a Posada is taking place, and a door is opening once more to welcome the Holy Family and the spirit of Christmas.
¡Feliz Navidad y felices Posadas!
