Christmas in Mexico is a different and exciting thing. It’s not uncommon to see people dressed in adult costumes and children’s costumes as a way to celebrate the holiday. The point is for families and friends to gather together and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. It covers a variety of different events, with some of them taking place long after Christmas Day has passed.

Resources on the holiday in Mexico include:

• Mexican Traditions for Christmas : discusses the traditions associated with the holidays in Mexico.

• Christmas in Mexico : focuses on how people in the country celebrate the holiday every year.

• Christmas : provides information and photographs relating to the Mexican Christmas traditions.

• Christmas Around the World : offers details on Mexican holidays and celebrations.

• Holiday Traditions of Mexico : focuses on the traditions that Mexican people do in celebration of Christmas.

Las Posadas

Las Posadas is a Mexican holiday that begins every year on December 16. Groups of people travel to the homes of their friends and family where they sing a short song about Mary and Joseph looking for shelter. After the families get inside, children get to play a piñata game and get gift bags full of candy and toys. The adults enjoy a brandy and rum drink while singing songs and dancing. The event takes place over nine days with the people visiting different homes each night.

Las Pastorelas

This word refers to the Shepherd plays used across the country in the days leading up to Christmas. These plays are done by both professional actors and amateurs. They are often fairly humorous in nature and tell the story of the shepherds who went to see Jesus when he was first born. They face confrontation from the devil on their way, but eventually reach him and see him as a baby.

El Nacimiento

This word refers to the nativity scene, but in Mexico it’s more important than it is in English cultures. These nativity scenes are quite large and realistic looking, with figures standing as tall as an adult human. The figures and pieces are usually made of clay and the same size as a room in the home. All of the figures are laid out in the days leading up to Christmas except for the figure of Baby Jesus.

Noche Buena

This holiday is better known to English speaking people as Christmas Eve or the night before Christmas. The family sets out the last piece in their nativity scene and attends church together. There’s often a party following church where visitors celebrate by watching a large fireworks display. It concludes with a large feast featuring native items such as pickled pumpkin, tamales, cake made of chestnuts and empanadas.

La Flor De Noche Buena

This is the Spanish word given to the holiday flower more commonly known as a poinsettia. A U.S. diplomat by the name of Dr. Joel R. Poinsett discovered the flower during the 1830s and found a way to bring it home with him to South Carolina.

Los Santos Inocentes

This holiday takes place on December 28 and is viewed as the Mexican equivalent of April Fool’s Day. It celebrates the order of Kin Herod to kill all male babies. Today citizens play tricks on each other throughout the day. Those who are the brunt of jokes are often given a small trinket later as a way of saying thank you.

Los Reyes Magos

Los Reyes Magos is the name given to the magi. On Three Kins Day also known as January 6, his history is celebrated. Children in town are given small gifts and are told they came from the magi. In some areas they also celebrate the Wise Men and leave out shoes for the Wise Men to stuff. They also play a game where a small baby figure is placed inside a sweet bread dish and the person who finds the baby is given a special treat. It’s very clear that Christmas in Mexico is quite different.