How Does Mexico Celebrate Christmas

Yomabasi8
13 Min Read

Post Author

Maybe you are on a tour in Mexico, and it’s a festive period. The question: how does Mexico celebrate Christmas? would definitely come to mind.

You should know that the Christmas celebration in Mexico is different from the regular celebration of Christmas. Let’s briefly look at how Christmas is celebrated in Mexico, as well as the various Christmas traditions practiced in Mexico.

How Does Mexico Celebrate Christmas 1
Photo by Benkrut from Unlimphotos

1. How Does Mexico Celebrate Christmas?

Mexicans celebrate Christmas in a different way. They dedicate a whole month to its celebration. This is because they have various Christmas traditions they uphold dearly.

They start the celebration on the 12th of December and till the 6th of January. It’s a whole lot of fun fairs and celebrations. Although they still go with the regular Santa Claus and Christmas trees tradition, they stick to their indigenous culture.

You should know that Christmas started in Mexico during colonialism in the 16th century. The Spanish priests in Mexico introduced most of the traditions they practice.

They have kept these traditions and followed them judiciously for many years. This makes their celebration stand out in the whole world.

2. Mexican Christmas Traditions

Christmas celebrations in Mexico are mostly colorful, full of life, religious, and indigenous.

There are some traditions they practice during this festive period:

2.1. Carols

Just like in a regular Christmas celebration, there is the singing of carols in Mexican Christmas. They decorate the Christmas tree, play music, sing, and dance to salsa and banda during the carol.

There is also an annual Christmas concert organized by the Mexican government where people go to listen to different genres of songs and have fun.

2.2. Nativity Scenes

Nativity scenes are called Nacimientos in Mexico. They are made of clay or plastic figures that portray the birth of Jesus. The scene includes the parents of Jesus (Joseph and Mary), the angels, and the three wise men.

A very interesting part of this tradition is when baby Jesus is added to the scene in the early hours of Christmas Day.

2.3. Pastorelas

This is a tradition that shows a play where a group of shepherds, a hermit, and his wife are obstructed by three devils as they are about to visit baby Jesus.

At some point, they get assistance from angels who help them ward off the enemy. During the play, there is also a display of fireworks and mariachi music.

2.4. Posadas

This is an event that takes place from December 16th till 23rd. Here, people get to break pinatas which contain fruits. They also sing las posadas songs.

You should know that drinking ponche is the top activity of this Mexican tradition. There’s a tradition where a number of people who attend this festival stay indoors while the rest stay outdoors.

This tradition begins nine days before Christmas day to symbolize the number of months, Mary carried Jesus in her womb before giving birth to him.

2.5. Comida de Navidad

This is known as the Christmas food shared during Mexican Christmas. They are mostly prepared with garlic, red pepper, tomatoes, olive oil, and white wine.

Bacalao is the traditional meal prepared during this period. The recipe for this meal varies depending on individual preferences.

2.6. Family Time

The Mexican celebration and traditions are mainly centered on family. This is when families come together to eat together, play games like breaking pinatas, and sing together.

During family time, there are times for dinners with friends and colleagues. This celebration mostly takes place on Christmas Eve.

2.7. Navidad

While other countries have a big celebration on Christmas Day which is on the 25th of December, Mexicans have a big celebration on Christmas Eve which is on the 24th of December.

There is dancing, eating different dishes, telling stories, and playing games. Christmas Eve is known as Noche Buena in Mexico. The celebration is named after a red flower which is used for the festival.

2.8. Drinks

Just like in other traditions, Mexicans gave special drinks for the Christmas season. The most dominant beverage in Mexico City during this period is hot cocoa and fruit punch.

3. Amazing Facts About Christmas in Mexico

How Does Mexico Celebrate Christmas
Photo by Lunamarina from Unlimphotos

There are different fun facts about the way Christmas is held in Mexico City:

  • Christmas celebration is usually from the 12th of December till the 6th of January. There is also an additional holiday on the 2nd of February.
  • Christmas Eve is when the main celebration takes place. Here, families come to celebrate while the celebration continues till Christmas Day.
  • The day when the celebration begins is called the Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe. It is when thousands of Catholics from all over the world go to see the image of Mary at a place known as the Basilica de Guadalupe.

On this day, the people feast and even hold vigils in respect of Mary.

  • You should that in this tradition, children receive presents on the 6th of January instead of the eve of Christmas.
  • There is something called the Fiesta Negrophispana which celebrates the African identity in Mexico. It is mainly for the recognition of the Afro-Mexican identity.
  • During the Christmas dinner and celebration, a fruity punch known as ponche is served.
  • Christmas decorations used during this season are known as poinsettias. They also make use of paper lanterns for decorations. These paper lanterns signify the lighting of the way when the parents of Jesus were looking for a place to stay.
  • Most of the ornaments used in decorations during the Christmas season are made with clay, rustic mediums, and straw.
  • Originally, Santa Claus was not a part of the tradition. It was in the 20th century during colonialism that it was introduced by the United States.
  • They sing canto para pedir posada on the night of the celebration. Here the people who sing split into two halves as they sing different verses.

4. Days of Christmas Celebration

How Does Mexico Celebrate Christmas
Photo by Feverpitched from Unlimphotos

Since the Mexican Christmas tradition runs for about a month, there are days set aside for different activities.

They include the following:

4.1. 16th of December

On the 16th of December, there is a posadas celebration which takes place in the city of Mexico. This celebration is basically about the story of Mary and Joseph (the birth parents of Jesus).

There are different activities involved in the celebration. The worship of the baby Jesus by Shepherds, the singing of songs, and the retelling of stories by children are all the fun activities that take place during this celebration.

4.2. 24th of December

On the 24th of December, there is usually a midnight mass at a Catholic Church. After the mass, the people now proceed to eat their Christmas meal.

However, most Mexicans prefer to eat their meal on the 24th of December. This is called the Noche Buena which translates to “Good Night”

4.3. 25th of December

It’s amazing how in other countries, the Christmas day celebration is done on the 25th of December while it’s not the case in Mexico. In Mexico, after the grand celebration on Christmas Eve, they decide to just relax and spend time with family on the 25th. The celebration is usually low-key.

4.4. 1st of January

Unlike in other countries where it’s all about partying on New Year’s Day, it’s not the same in Mexico. You should know that the New Year is spent with close friends and family members.

There is also a family dinner that takes place on this day. There is a tradition where they eat 12 grapes all at once as the clock strikes 12 midnight.

There is also a not-so-talked-about New Year tradition where people wear a particular color of underwear to signify hope for the New Year. Some people can also decide to go to the beach just to relax and cool off.

4.5. 6th of January

On the 6th of January, celebrations such as Dia de Los Reyes, Epifania, and Dia de los Santos Reyes take place. This celebration is done to showcase the wise men who went to worship baby Jesus when he was born.

Apart from the fact that the children in Mexico open their gifts on this day, they also eat a Rosca de Reyes. They are also known as Christmas cookies.

4.6. 2nd of February

On the 2nd of February, there is a Mexican holiday called the Dia de la Candelaria which translates to “Feast of the Presentation of Jesus Christ”. This is the most important holiday for the Catholics in Mexico.

5. Traditional Mexican Dishes

There are some traditional dishes in Mexico that are peculiar to every celebration. They include the following:

5.1. Bacalao

This food is known to originate from Spain. It involves cooking cod fish with garlic, potatoes, roasted tomatoes, almonds, chili peppers, olives, and different kinds of herbs.

5.2. Bunulos

This is a meal that is mostly sold by street vendors during the Christmas period. It basically consists of fried dough in a circular shape.

5.3. Tamales

Tamales are one of the oldest Christmas dishes in Mexico. They are made from maize dough also known as masa. The mixture is usually wrapped steamed and wrapped in a banana leaf.

5.4. Rompope

This is a kind of cocktail that is served during the Christmas period. It is most popular in Puebla, Mexico.

Most people prefer to spike their rompope drink with brandy or any kind of alcohol just for the fun of it.

6. Final Thoughts

The Christmas period in Mexico is always a fun time where you get to experience their culture to the fullest. Now that you know how the people of Mexico celebrate Christmas, it is time to book that flight to Mexico for your next Christmas Holiday.

Last Updated on by kalidaspandian

Stay Connected

Share This Article
Yomabasi Fortune is a passionate content writer with a deep love for the written word. With a background in writing, she has been able to deliver captivating and informative content that not only meets the needs of diverse audiences but also exceeds expectations. Her writing journey has taken her through various industries, allowing her to adapt and excel in crafting engaging narratives that resonate with readers. She has successfully authored a book and written articles for digital and print usage. Education MCom Specialization in Content Writing & Certifications/Qualifications MCom in Physical Oceanography BCom in Physical Oceanography Social Media Management Capstone by Coursera