Mexico’s Christmas season weaves rituals, flavors, community celebrations, festivals, and deep-rooted symbolism together. An experience, we bet, you won’t find anywhere else. So, are you history, food, or culture obsessed? Mexico won’t disappoint you during Christmas.
Christmas in Mexico blends Catholic traditions with local customs, starting from December 12th to January 6th. During this period, people practice traditions like Las Posadas, Nochebuena feasts, midnight Mass, and Three Kings Day, especially in cities such as Mexico City, Oaxaca, and San Miguel de Allende.
One of the things that made Christmas in Mexico different is the mix of rich cultural traditions, both from the past and present. Generations keep alive the traditions that were passed down to them and tweak it slightly to fit the present-day.
Customs and Traditions in Mexico
Christmas in Mexico is one of the most beautifully colored days. Here, the celebrations last for almost a whole month. The people treat it as a community and family bonding festival.
The celebration of the Posadas, feasts, and gatherings unites the people. This represents a mixture of Catholic rituals, which are combined with the indigenous traditions. And then adding a hint of regional foods and artistic expressions. This results in a unique cultural fusion.
The celebrations are both religious and lively. The spirit of the festival is accompanied by many different things. From fireworks, parades, radish festivals, to nativity plays, everything is covered. This reflects the rich cultural heritage of Mexico.
From the Zócalo to local neighborhoods, music, food, and joy linger around every corner. And when you start feeling its taste in the air, that is when you know that Christmas in Mexico is really a memorable experience.
1. The History of Christmas in Mexico
Christmas in Mexico has strong roots in Spanish Catholic traditions, introduced in the 16th century. However, eventually, indigenous symbolism was welcomed. This created a unique Mexican expression of Christmas. An expression that blends spirituality, bonding, and joy.
Spanish missionaries included native plays, mass services, and biblical storytelling into local customs. With time, these became national traditions. The indigenous communities taught symbolic food recipes, community gathering, and local rituals. This mix makes it one of a kind.
2. Las Posadas (December 16th to 24th)
One of the most iconic traditions is Las Posadas. This reenacts Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter in Bethlehem. Each night brings you a night that is not only visually appealing but also a treat for your eyes.
Posadas are celebrated in neighbourhoods, educational institutions, churches, and the streets. The surroundings get joyful with the melodies of Christmas carols. Prayers are shared among the community. Ending the day with candle-lit processions that add to the shared warmth.
3. Piñatas
The shape of a Christmas piñata is a star with seven points. The points are the seven deadly sins. These seven sins may be the ones that terrorise all of us – pride, envy, lust, gluttony, anger, greed, and sloth.
Kids and grown-ups smash it to symbolize the overcoming of their inner temptations. Normally, they are packed with fruit, candy, and small toys.
4. Nacimientos
Nativity scenes in Mexico are works of art. Families often handcraft figures and add miniature animals, rivers, and landscapes. They prepare a special place for baby Jesus, who joins the adorable place on Christmas Eve.
5. Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe (December 12)
This day marks the start of the Christmas season. Thousands of tourists visit the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico City. This makes it one of the world’s largest religious pilgrimages.
6. Nochebuena (Christmas Eve)
Christmas eve is the goofiest day of the whole holiday season. Relatives come together to eat a meal that is healthy and tasty. Which is then followed by the midnight Mass (Misa de Gallo) and fireworks. Most of them then spend the rest of the night exchanging gifts and laughter.
The table is decorated with the most delicious food of the traditions. Every single delicacy is made to the highest standard. The most popular ones being tamales, bacalao a la vizcaína (salted cod), ponche navideño (fruit punch), and romeritos (herb stew).
7. Día de los Reyes (Three Kings Day, January 6th)
On this day, it is customary to exchange gifts. The family eats Rosca de Reyes together. It is a bread in the form of a ring in which a figurine representing baby Jesus is hidden. The person who discovers it is the one who has to organize the next celebration in February.
8. Pastorelas (Nativity Plays)
These comedic plays depict shepherds traveling to Bethlehem. With an added twist of battling mischievous devils. It is typically a unique Mexican storytelling tradition.
9. For the Ones with a Sweet Tooth
Sweet treats like buñuelos and warm ponche navideño bring families together. This creates a comforting atmosphere. These traditional dishes and drinks make Christmas a festival of flavors. And with every flavour, you will find yourself thinking about sweet nostalgia.
Best Places to Celebrate Christmas in Mexico
1. Mexico City
During Christmas, Mexico City, with its lively markets and lit streets, looks incredible! Want to create a perfect festive atmosphere? Go and experience nativity scenes and traditional Posadas in Coyoacán. And end your day with music, dances, and food stalls.
Strolling through the markets and stalls is now much easier with a BookMyForex Forex Card. It makes payments directly in pesos with no additional charges. It gives you the freedom to buy, eat and enjoy everything without worrying about exchange rates or extra charges.
2. Oaxaca
The host to vibrant traditions like Las Posadas, artisan markets, and the famous Noche de Rábanos (Night of the Radishes) on December 23. This lively festival and contest is all about the creative use of giant radishes for the carving of figures, biblical scenes, and symbols.
3. San Miguel de Allende
This is a UNESCO World Heritage city. Most famous for its cobblestone streets and colonial architecture. But the festive parades and candle-lit Posadas that they host are amazing. A large number of travelers are drawn to the magical vibe in this place during Christmas.
4. Puerto Vallarta
Puerto Vallarta is a real show with its lights, performances, and bustling markets along the Malecon. The beaches are decorated with bonfires, music, and midnight swims on Christmas Eve. Restaurants and holiday cruises provide tasty treats with ocean views, making it perfect.
5. Guadalajara
The city showcases traditional mariachi Christmas concerts and large Christmas markets. Along with the exhibition of regional foods like tortas ahogadas. The nearby towns, like Tlaquepaque, are beautifully decorated and lit up.
6. Puebla
A place known for its beautiful churches, historical beauty, and lip-smacking delights. This city hosts one of the best light festivals, craft fairs, and nativity displays, along with Christmas alleys.
7. Monterrey
The city where traditions meet modernity. A perfect blend of massive tree lighting, mall festivities, and lively Christmas concerts.
Mexico’s Christmas season is a colorful celebration that mixes faith, community, and customs. It starts with Las Posadas which is a nine-day walk through the town that illustrates the seeking of shelter by Mary and Joseph. Then you’ll find yourself surrounded by songs, food, and piñatas.
The festivities end with Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) midnight mass and celebratory meals. The sparkling Night of the Radishes in Oaxaca, where artists make radish sculptures by carving. All of these small things add to Mexico’s traditions.
We bet you will want your holiday getaway to Mexico during Christmas to be stress-free and convenient. Especially, with no currency exchange tensions. And what better way could it be if you choose BookMyForex? Let it take all your load, while you hoard goodies as a souvenir.
About the Author
Bhawna Nijhawan is the Content Manager at BookMyForex and the go-to person for creating engaging, informative content that resonates with the platform’s diverse audience. With over 8 years of experience in content writing and more than 4 years in the forex industry, she knows exactly how to simplify complex forex topics into something everyone can relate to.
