Traditional Mexican Posadas

Mexican posadas are traditional fiestas celebrated during December. These celebrations take place on each of the nine nights leading to Christmas Eve, from the 16th to 24th of December. Traditionally, posadas are reenactments of Mary & Joseph's journey to Bethlehem and their search for a place to stay for the night.

Posadas begin with a procession in which participants hold candles and sing litanies. The recreation occurs in neighborhoods where participants go from one home to another while singing Christmas carols.

Photo Credit: Flickr @Omar Eduardo

A group of people will stay outside of the house and sing the part of Joseph asking for shelter while the people inside respond to the petition. The host (those inside the house) will eventually open the door and everyone goes inside.

Photo Credit: @acalidoniohn

Once inside the house, celebration starts! Hosts distribute food to all the guests (usually tamales & hot drinks such as ponche or atole)

If you visit Xcaret during these days, you can experience a Traditional Posada!