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Every country has their own special Christmas traditions, and Spain is no different. The country loves to celebrate the festive season with lots of unique customs - and some of them may surprise you. From a huge national lottery to a December Fool's Day and a pooping log, here are 8 of our favourite Spanish Christmas traditions. ¡Feliz Navidad!

1. El Gordo - The Fat Lottery

One of the most exciting Spanish Christmas traditions is playing the lottery. Almost everyone takes parts in the Spanish National Lottery at Christmas time, making it the biggest lottery in the world. It's so big, it's called 'El Gordo' or 'the Fat One', because of the huge cash prizes of more than 2 billion euros.

It's been held every year since 1812 and it's a tradition for the winning numbers to be announced live on TV on the morning of December 22nd. As the winning numbers are called, they're sung out by a choir of school children. It's also common for friends and coworkers to buy a share of a single ticket together and split the winnings. In 2011, an entire town shared a single ticket and won, splitting the share of 950 million euros!
RELATED CONTENT: 12 Photos that Will Make You Want to Visit Spain This Year
2. The Three Kings

One of the most unique facts about Christmas in Spain is that there's no Santa Claus. Forget Saint Nick - in Spain, it's the Three Kings or the Three Wise Men (known as Reyes Magos - Melchior, Gaspar and Baltazar) who bring the gifts to good children at Christmas time. They also don't come on Christmas Eve. Instead, towns and cities hold huge Three Kings parades ('cabalgatas') on the night of January 5th, where the Kings parade through the towns on floats and throw out sweets for the kids. It's one of the most wonderful Spanish Christmas traditions you can't miss!

When the families return home, they leave out their shoes for the Kings to fill with gifts during the night. If it's too long to wait for pressies, don't worry. These days, some kids in Spain also open a few presents on Christmas day too, so you can have double the fun!

That's also not the only version of Santa Claus in Spain. In Galicia, a mythical coal miner called El Apalpador feels children's stomachs to see if they've been eating well and leaves behind little treats like chestnuts and sweets. The Basques also have their own, more rugged, version of Santa - the mythical giant Olentzero. He wears peasants clothing, smokes a pipe and brings gifts for children on Christmas Eve, in return for food and alcohol.
RELATED CONTENT: Northern Spain Holidays: Discovering the Green Side of Spain
3. Portal de Beléns

Portal de Beléns, meaning 'stable of Bethlehem', are the incredible nativity scenes found across Spain at Christmas time. They're more than just a few figurines in a stable - these are huge and elaborate nativity scenes, with houses, markets, farms, rivers and all kinds of characters.

You'll see them in traditional households, shop windows and town squares in the lead up to Christmas, and you'll spot handmade figurines like baby Jesus and the Three Wise Kings in Christmas markets all over Spain. You can even watch living Beléns, where real actors and animals recreate the Nativity scene.
EXPERIENCE IT FOR YOURSELF: Treasures of Spain and Portugal
4. The Caga Tió

In Spain, you rock around the Christmas... log! It's of the most curious of all Spanish Christmas traditions and it's found in the Catalonia region. Caga Tió, meaning pooping log, is basically a wooden log dressed up with a face, legs, blanket and a barretina (Catalan hat). Children feed the Caga Tió small pieces of bread or orange peel each evening in the lead up to Christmas.

On Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, they sing the Caga Tió song, whack the log with a stick and ask him to poop out turrón (sweet nougat) and other treats for them. Once the song is finished, they take off the blanket to discover all their hidden sweets.

5. Midnight Mass

With Catholics making up over half of the country's population, the Christmas church services are a very important part of Christmas in Spain. Many people go to a Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, known as La Misa Del Gallo (The Mass of the Rooster), because a rooster supposedly crowed the night Jesus was born. Many families also eat the main Spanish Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve (Nochebuena) just before or after Midnight Mass. It's a special time for families to get together, give thanks and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ.
RELATED CONTENT: 12 of the most useful Spanish phrases to learn before your trip to Spain
6. El Arrastre

You'll find the Spanish Christmas tradition known as El Arrastre (The Drag) in the coastal city of Cádiz. It's held on January 5th, the day before the Three Wise Kings arrive. Children string empty cans on a piece of rope and drag the cans around, making a ton of noise to remind the Kings to leave the children gifts that night. There's also a story that the racket will scare the mythical giant who tries to cover the sky in a cloud of smoke to stop the Kings delivering the presents!
EXPERIENCE IT FOR YOURSELF: Best of Spain
7. Roscón de Reyes

Christmas cake is one of the favourite Spanish Christmas foods, but in Spain, they don't enjoy it until Epiphany on January 6th, to celebrate the arrival of the Three Wise Kings in Bethlehem. On this holy day, they bake the Roscón de Reyes, a sweet bread-like cake, filled with whipped cream and topped with candied fruits and crushed almonds.

A fava bean and a small figurine are hidden inside the cake. Whoever finds the figurine in their slice will be blessed with good luck for the whole year, but if you get the fava bean, you have to pay for next year's cake! It's a fun Spanish Christmas tradition and a wonderful way to top off the festive season.

8. Dia de los Santos Inocentes

While you might think it's time to relax after Christmas, in Spain, it's time to watch your back! Dia de los Santos Inocentes is the Spanish version of April Fool's Day, but it's held on December 28. It's the day for playing harmless pranks or dressing up in funny wigs, glasses and hats, and once you prank someone, you shout "Inocente, inocente!" And when we say watch your back, we mean it... One of the most popular pranks is to tape a drawing of a stick figure on someone's back!
What are your favourite Spanish Christmas traditions? Let us know in the comments below!

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8 Spanish Christmas traditions you probably never knew about

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A big Christmas lottery, a December Fool's Day and three parading Santas... Here are 8 of the most unique Spanish Christmas traditions.

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The word Christmas comes from the Latin 'nativita', which means birth

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Actress Julissa Calderon gave us her best tips for celebrating the holiday at home in 2020.

Every family has their own holiday rituals and traditions. As we spend more time at home this winter, learning about new holidays, especially those from other countries and cultures, is a heartfelt way to embrace the true meaning of the season.

Afro-Latinx actress Julissa Calderon told us all about Las Navidad, the Spanish Christmas tradition that she's been celebrating since she was a child. She shared how her family recognizes the event and gave us a few tips for turning the celebration virtual this year. Plus, we're highlighting her best ideas for incorporating Las Navidad customs into a multicultural celebration-so whether you're embracing your Spanish heritage for the first time or celebrating the holidays as a diverse household, these ideas will help you form your own holiday traditions.

What Is Las Navidad?

Las Navidad (also called la Nochebuena), refers to the single day of Christmas Eve, while Las Navidades means "Christmases" and is a longer celebration. In some countries, the festivities begin mid-December, while others wait until December 24 to celebrate. Las Navidades last until the holiday of Epiphany on January 6, which commemorates the day the wise men finally arrived to meet baby Jesus.

christmas celebration computer

How Las Navidad Is Celebrated

Family members gather to celebrate Las Navidad by sharing a holiday feast together and exchanging small gifts. In many cultures, gifts are reserved for children, although it's always acceptable to exchange with older family members. While Santa Claus is not a traditional figure of Las Navidad, the custom has become so popular across the world that many families have incorporated Santa into their gift-giving celebrations.

In some countries, gifts are exchanged at midnight as Christmas Eve turns into Christmas Day, while in other areas it's customary to wait until Christmas morning.

Embrace Multicultural Traditions

Calderon gave us her best tips for combining holiday traditions as a multicultural family. She explained that merging different cultures is a great opportunity for kids (and adults!) to learn about all kinds of holiday celebrations-not just the ones they grew up with. Whether you married into a family that celebrates Las Navidad or simply want to revel alongside a friend, it's never too late to incorporate aspects of this celebration into your own holiday.

If you already celebrate Las Navidad, consider teaching a friend or family member about it, and then ask them to help you experience their holiday rituals for the first time. As Calderon says, "One doesn't take away from the other-if anything, it's twice as nice!"

How to Celebrate Las Navidad in 2020

Typically, the holiday is celebrated with a huge gathering of friends and family-something that's not recommended during the pandemic. But there are plenty of ways to incorporate your favorite family traditions into a digital gathering that's just as meaningful. Calderon shared a few of her favorite ways to celebrate the holiday and offered a few tips for throwing a virtual party.

1. Send an Invitation

Hosting a virtual celebration is easy, but you'll need to plan ahead a bit. First things first: Send an invite to a Zoom or FaceTime call. Then, make sure the system works for all family members so you don't miss your young family members opening your gifts. Calderon recommends testing out the call in the week before so you can avoid tech issues day-of.

2. Decorate Your Space

Even if you won't be hosting family and friends in person this year, decorating your space for the holidays will make you feel like you're celebrating as normal. Put up as many classic holiday decorations as you can: Decorate the Christmas tree, hang a few stockings, and drape as much tinsel around your home as you possibly can. In some countries, it's customary to display colorful paper lanterns outside the home on Las Navidad as well.

3. Plan the Food

Because the traditional celebration involves a large family meal, plan a few small things to eat while you're on the Zoom call. Traditional recipes for Las Navidad include roast turkey or pork, homemade tamales (in fact, hosing a holiday tamalada is popular in many Spanish-speaking cultures), and ciders and punches to drink-but you can of course make whatever you like. If you're looking for a new recipe, try making one of our Mexican-inspired Christmas dishes for the family.

Calderon told us that food is one of the easiest areas to combine traditions if you're having a multicultural celebration: She suggests preparing a mix of the traditional latin recipes with your favorite Christmas treats, like classic Christmas cookies.

4. Explain the Culture

Whether you're celebrating for the first time or teaching young family members about the holiday, Calderon recommends taking a few minutes to explain the cultural traditions and history behind the holiday. This is especially important if you're combining cultural celebrations.

5. Plan Activities

One of Calderon's biggest tips is to plan something for the family to do on the video call. Play traditional Latin music and dance on screen (even if you don't speak Spanish, you'll be able to appreciate the traditional music), or schedule a virtual game for the family to play. This will make it feel more like your traditional in-person celebration and less like your regular video conference calls.

6. Keep the Spirit Alive

This year's celebration will be different, but you can still create those joyful memories you remember from your childhood. No matter how you celebrate (or how many households you combine virtually), the most important thing is that you're having fun with family. As Calderon says, it's all about your mindset. "It's okay that things are different, because different doesn't mean bad."

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Las Navidad: What it is and How to Celebrate Virtually This Year

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Actress Julissa Calderon gave us her best tips for celebrating the holiday at home in 2020. Every family has their own holiday rituals and traditions. As we spend more time at home this winter, learning about new holidays, especially those from other countries and cultures, is a heartfelt way to embrace the true meaning of the season.

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https://www.britannica.com/topic/Las-Posadas

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This article was most recently revised and updated by

Las Posadas, (Spanish: "The Inns") religious festival celebrated in Mexico and some parts of the United States between December 16 and 24. Las Posadas commemorates the journey that Joseph and Mary made from Nazareth to Bethlehem in search of a safe refuge where Mary could give birth to the baby Jesus. When they were unable to find lodging in Bethlehem, Joseph and Mary were forced to seek shelter in a stable, where the Christ Child was born.

Las Posadas is celebrated in cities and towns across Mexico. Each evening during the festival, a small child dressed as an angel leads a procession through the streets of the town. The procession is primarily made up of children dressed in silver and gold robes carrying lit candles and images of Mary and Joseph riding a donkey. Adults, including musicians, follow the procession, which visits selected homes and asks for lodging for Joseph and Mary. Traditionally, the procession is always refused lodging, though the hosts often provide refreshments. At each stop, passages of scripture are read and Christmas carols are sung.

Mass is held each day after the procession, and, at the conclusion of the service, children break open piñatas filled with candy, toys, and, occasionally, money. The piñatas are usually crafted in the form of a star, which is said to have guided the three wise men of biblical tradition to the newborn Jesus.

The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Adam Augustyn.

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Las Posadas | Meaning, Traditions, & Facts

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Las Posadas, religious festival celebrated between December 16 and 24 that commemorates the journey of Mary and Joseph before the birth of Jesus.

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one spansih christmas tradition is 'el gordo'.
it is the biggest lottery in the world, so that why it is called 'the fat lottery' or 'el gordo'

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LAS VEGAS (KTNV) - Three Kings Day or 'El Dia De Los Reyes' marks the biblical adoration of baby Jesus by the three wise men.

On Jan. 6, those who believe pay homage and celebrate the three wise men who traveled for 12 days to give gifts to Jesus Christ in Bethlehem.

The holiday is traditionally celebrated by many of Catholic and Christian faith backgrounds, in Latin America, Spain and the United States.

A popular tradition during the holiday is gift-giving, holding large feasts and indulging in 'Rosca De Reyes' or King Cake.

#ThreeKingsDay or 'El Dia De Los Reyes' marks the biblical adoration of baby Jesus by the 3 Wise Men.

Learn the history of this holiday next on #GMLV @KTNV pic.twitter.com/kgae0vKMyZ

- Alicia Pattillo (@aliciapattillo) January 6, 2021

King Cake is a special bread with fruit and sugar that comes in the shape of a crown.

Inside the cake, a baby Jesus doll is hidden, whoever finds the doll will receive good luck and must throw a party on Feb. 2.

La Bonita Supermarkets have seven locations throughout the valley and say they sell more than 1,000 King Cakes during the holiday season.

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Get to know Three Kings Day: Celebration, history and traditions

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LAS VEGAS (KTNV) - Three Kings Day or 'El Dia De Los Reyes' marks the biblical adoration of baby Jesus by the three wise men. On Jan. 6, those who believe pay homage and celebrate the three wise men who traveled for 12 days to give gifts to Jesus Christ in Bethlehem.

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Mexican Christmas celebrations involve many cultural foods—especially tamales, a corn-based dough or masa filled with sweet or savory ingredients, wrapped in a cornhusk or banana leaves, and steamed. Sweet tamale ingredients include pineapple, strawberry, chocolate, pumpkin and guava; while savory ingredients are cheese and proteins like pork, beef, chicken and turkey.

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2022 El Día de los Tres Reyes Magos / Three Kings Day program

Saturday, January 8
9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Join us to share in the joy of The Three Kings story. Celebrated widely by many cultures around the world, and observed in many Spanish-speaking countries, the Feast of the Three Kings honors the Epiphany. At the museum, you can make and decorate a festive crown to proudly wear, enjoy lively and traditional Mariachi youth performers, delight in gifts (chocolate coins) handed out by the kings, and learn more about the holiday by watching a short video in the theatre. The day is traditionally celebrated with family, food, gift-giving, and a Rosca de Reyes (sweet bread or King's Cake).

Special thanks to our sponsors!

Watch our previous program:

Join us and TV producer, host and bilingual content creator and influencer Barbara Cortez-Chacon online for our 23rd annual El Día de los Tres Reyes Magos / Three Kings Day celebration on Saturday, January 9! This special holiday is also known as the Epiphany and is celebrated in countries around the world. Join us and learn about the rich traditions and colorful customs of family, food, and music.

Celebrate with us and learn more about these rich traditions brought to you from our home to yours.

Make a tortilla

Create a cornhusk doll

Fashion a crown

Enjoy lively dance and music performances including the critically acclaimed, Los Lupeños dance troupe, and much more!

Learn about the tradition and meaning behind the Rosca de Reyes bread

Create and paint a star

Activity Sheets - Join in the Celebration!

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El Día de los Tres Reyes Magos - Children's Discovery Museum of San Jose

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2022 El Día de los Tres Reyes Magos / Three Kings Day program Saturday, January 8 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Join us to share in the joy of The Three Kings story. Celebrated widely by many cultures around the world, and observed in many Spanish-speaking countries, the Feast of the Three Kings honors the Epiphany.

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¡Feliz Nochevieja! - ¡Música Para Fin de Año!

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Christmas is perhaps the most traditional, family-oriented celebration in the whole world, and in Spain it lasts until 6th January. Visiting the country between the middle of December and the start of the New Year is a time that's always full of lovely moments for sharing. Here are five of the most popular Christmas traditions in Spain.

1."El Gordo" Christmas lottery

The Christmas time festivities kick-start in Spain on 22nd December with the National Christmas Lottery. The first prize is popularly known as "El Gordo". Participation is massive and the draw is closely followed throughout the morning. It has a peculiarity that makes it very special, the winning numbers are sung by children in an unmistakable chant. The prize money is very well spread out and the winners usually celebrate their glory in the street.

2. Meals bursting with Christmas flavours and lots of sweet treats

Christmas is a time for lavish meals with family and friends. The most special night is 24th December, Christmas Eve, when restaurants and hotels offer extraordinary menus to celebrate it in a big way. The meals normally include several starters, for example, Ibérico ham, seafood and delicious cheeses, followed by dishes such as soups, roast meat, fish or stuffed turkey. And to finish, sweet treats and desserts, the true stars of the Christmas dinner table. Turron, marzipan, Spanish sweets, shortbread and naturally, Epiphany cake are all delicacies not to be missed. You can learn more about Christmas food in Spain in this article.

3. Colourful Christmas lights

The festive lights in Spain are a delight for children and adults alike. Cities like Madrid, Barcelona, Malaga and Vigo have perhaps been the most eye-catching in recent years, but from the end of November, it is usual for all towns and cities to light up their streets with colours and Christmas motifs. In fact, a great idea to enjoy Christmas is to take a night-time stroll through the Christmas markets and Nativity scenes, wrapped up warm and with a handful of roast chestnuts from a street vendor.

4. The 12 most festive grapes of the year

This tradition promises luck and an original way to see in the New Year. It consists of eating 12 grapes as the clock strikes 12 on New Year's Eve. The idea is to eat one grape for each chime to welcome in the New Year. You can follow the chimes of the famous Puerta del Sol clock in Madrid on television, live at the Puerta del Sol or in the iconic landmark where this tradition is celebrated in your destination. Any of these options are perfect for ringing in the New Year Spanish style.

5. A magical night full of excitement

On the night of 6th January the Three Wise Men arrive from the East and bring presents to all the children. It is traditional for every child to write a letter to the Wise Men beforehand telling them how they have behaved all year and requesting gifts. Special mailboxes are placed in shopping centres and leisure spaces for posting these letters and the 'royal pages' make frequent appearances to collect them by hand. Finally, on the afternoon of 5th January, the Wise Men arrive in all the cities in fun processions and parades through the streets to the delight of all the children. Then, after an early night and waiting excitedly for the morning to arrive, they finally get to open their presents. Their names are Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar and they magically enter all the houses through the windows, balconies and chimneys during the night.

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Christmas in Spain: the traditions | spain.info

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Are you preparing a trip for Christmas? Choose Spain and experience Christmas through its traditions. | spain.info

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https://mom.com/entertainment/16523-10-facts-about-christmas-latin-america

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Oaxaca's Night of the Radishes

If you think Christmas is celebrated in relatively the same way all over the world, you'll be surprised by the variation in traditions found in Latin America alone. Here are 10 unique ways the holiday is recognized from Mexico all the way down to Paraguay, and many countries in between.
1. Night of the Radishes in Oaxaca, Mexico
La Noche de los Rábanos is celebrated in Oaxaca each year on Dec. 23. In the main plaza of town, artisans display radishes of varying sizes which have been sculpted to depict everything from detailed nativity and village scenes to pop icons and respected historical figures such as Frida Kahlo.
2. Roller-skating to Mass in Caracas, Venezuela
With the streets closed off to vehicular traffic, people in Caracas, Venezuela don a pair of rollerskates on Christmas Day to make it to early morning Mass. Along the way, rollerskaters tug on strings they see hanging from windows; these strings are tied to the big toe of sleeping children the night before so that the rollerskaters can awaken them in the morning.
3. Beating the Pooping Log in Catalonia, Spain
During the month of December many families in Catalonia, Spain have a hollowed-out log near the fireplace with a smiling face painted on one end. The log will usually have a blanket draped over it to keep it warm and children "feed" it daily to ensure it grows fat by Christmas. If that isn't strange enough, this Caga Tió, as it's called, or "Pooping Log," is beaten with a stick like a piñata on Christmas Day until it "poops out" treats for the children.
4. Sweeping in Guatemala
In many cultures it's traditional to clean the house in preparation for a holiday; in the United States we typically do this simply to prepare for guests. In Guatemala sweeping the house before Christmas is to rid the house of bad luck from the previous year. Each neighborhood will create a pile of the swept up dirt and light an effigy of the devil atop it.

5. Christmas brawling in Peru

6. Flowers for the Virgencita in Mexico City
When family gets together at Christmastime, sometimes arguments break out, but in parts of Peru such as Santo Tomas, brawling is the highlight of the Takanakuy Festival which culminates on Christmas Day. With fists wrapped in scarves and a hug to start things off, these public fist fights to relieve pent up frustrations from the past year are fought between men, women, children and the elderly.
7. Coconut flowers in Paraguay
December 12 marks Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe, who is revered by almost all Mexicans - no matter how religious (or non-religious) they may consider themselves. Millions descend upon Mexico City armed with bouquets of flowers to honor the Virgin of Guadalupe in the location where she is said to have first appeared in 1531 to an indigenous peasant named Juan Diego.
8. Dancing "The Bullet" in El Salvador
Mexico isn't the only place that includes flowers as part of a beloved tradition during the month of December. The Guaraní people of Paraguay once considered the flower of the Mbokajá, a type of coconut tree, to be sacred. Now, the fragrant flor de coco is an integral part of the Christmas season with Paraguayans using the flower to decorate nativity scenes. The long corn cob-like flower is so adored, in fact, that it inspired a song called "Navidad de Flor de Coco, Navidad del Paraguay."
9. Pase del Niño parade in Cuenca, Ecuador
Since 1970, Salvadorans have been dancing "La Bala" ("The Bullet") at parties, including during Christmas and New Year's Eve celebrations. People take to the dance floor and follow commands given in this catchy song by Los Hermanos Flores, which range from putting a hand on one's belly and making a lot of noise to getting into a line and turning out the lights.
10. Parrandas in Puerto Rico
The Passing of the Child parade combines Catholic and indigenous traditions for an event Ecuadoreans in Cuenca look forward to each Christmas Eve morning. The procession includes the expected floats, decorated cars, dancers and costumed characters, but is distinctive for its inclusion and sometimes surprising mix of traditional Christmas and holiday figures with the contemporary.

Puerto Ricans go all-out when it comes to Christmas celebrations, and this is most evident through the unique practice of parrandas. Parrandas are like going caroling, but they're not at all quiet. In fact, the louder the parranda the better. (There's a reason parrandas are also called "asaltos" or assaults!) On Christmas Eve, Puerto Ricans take to the streets with guitars, marimbas, maracas and güiros to boisterously serenade sleeping neighbors. In return, pasteles (meat pastries similar to tamales), and other edible treats are provided to the participants.

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Oaxaca's Night of the Radishes If you think Christmas is celebrated in relatively the same way all over the world, you'll be surprised by the variation in traditions found in Latin America alone. Here are 10 unique ways the holiday is recognized from Mexico all the way down to Paraguay, and many countries in between.

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On Noche Buena they eat Seafood, and soup. With Turron afterwards Which is made with Honey and Almonds

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For many Mexicans, the word posadas evokes chilly nights surrounded by family and friends, singing, enjoying a warm meal, and spreading holiday cheer all around. If you have never been lucky enough to be invited to one of these celebrations, read on to find out what posadas in Mexico are all about.

What are posadas?

The word posada means inn or lodging, and traditionally posadas are a celebration of the Christmas story. They take place on nine nights from December 16 to 24 and commemorate the Virgin Mary and St. Joseph's search for a place to stay where Jesus could be born. Posadas in Mexico feature hot food and drinks, sweets, music, and piñatas.

Throughout Mexico, churches and communities still celebrate these festivities with their traditional, religious elements. Today almost any party held around Christmas is called a posada. Schools often host posadas as end-of-the-year parties for students and teachers.

Read more: Mexican Celebrations: A Month-by-Month Guide to the Holidays and Festivals
Don't Miss: Holidays in Mexico and the History of the Traditional Nativity Scene

How did posadas originate?

Posadas in Mexico began as a way for the Spaniards to teach native people about Christmas. During the nine days leading up to Christmas Day, masses would include representations of Mary and Joseph. Following mass was a party where people were blindfolded before hitting a piñata with a stick, a representation of faith defeating temptation with the help of virtue. The fruits and sweets that poured out of the piñata represented the joys of union with God.

In time, posadas started to be held in neighborhoods and people's homes, becoming a more familiar and tightly-knit occasion, as well as preparation for Christmas. At the beginning of a posada, people are divided in two groups, the ones "outside" representing Mary and Joseph, and the ones "inside" representing innkeepers. Then everyone sings the posada litany together, re-enacting Mary and Joseph's search, going back and forth until they are finally "admitted" to an inn. After this tradition, the party proper starts. Posadas have spread to other countries - such as Guatemala, Ecuador, Colombia, and Venezuela; the celebrations vary by location.

Must-haves for a successful posada

Piñatas

Traditional piñatas typically have seven spikes to represent the seven deadly sins. Although piñatas have mostly lost their original religious meaning in most parts of Mexico, they remain an essential part of las posadas. They are commonly filled with candy (originally representing the forgiveness of sins and a new beginning.) In more traditional celebrations you'll find them filled with small fruits, cookies, and peanuts.

Aguinaldo or Bolo

These are little candy bags that hosts hand out to the guests at the end of the posada.

Ponche Navideño (Mexican Christmas Fruit Punch)

A hot, flavorful drink that for many is synonymous with the holidays. Its ingredients vary from state to state, but it is traditionally prepared with tejocote (Mexican hawthorn), sugarcane, tamarind, apple, pear, guava, and cinnamon sticks. Some hosts will also offer their adult guests ponche con piquete - punch with a sting of alcohol, usually tequila or rum.

Tamales

The warm treats of tamales are made of steamed corn dough filled with meats, cheeses, and vegetables. They date from pre-Columbian times. You can find tamales throughout Mexico year-round, but they're especially popular during the holiday season.

Singing

The posada litany is essential. Many people also sing Christmas carols, and during modern posadas, people break out a karaoke machine and sing into the night.

The posada litany

Litany translation by Tony Rosado.

Ready to Start Planning Your Holiday Trip to Mexico?

Our are a great starting point to get inspired for your next trip. Be sure to check out our sample itineraries in Mexico holiday season in Mexico City & Riviera Maya itinerary that combines both culture and beach; or if you're looking for something more traditional check out our eight-day tour of Colonial Mexico to experience the full spectrum of the holiday celebrations. Visit the town of Tlalpujahua, known as Mexico's Santa's Workshop, while a visit to Tzintzuntzan offers the chance to create your own Christmas decorations. After, head to San Miguel de Allende to see their posada and pastorela events. Once you have an idea in mind, contact our expert travel planning team who will help to personalize your vacation to perfection. Our custom-tailored journeys start from $1,000 USD per day for two travelers in interior Mexico, and $1,800 per day for two travelers in beach destinations.

Winter Holiday in Colonial Mexico

Holidays in Mexico City & the Riviera Maya

The holiday season is a wonderful time to visit Mexico and be a part of its rich traditions. Contact one of our expert travel planners and let us put together a custom trip for you and your family.

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Posadas in Mexico, a Christmas Tradition

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For many Mexicans, the word posadas evokes chilly nights surrounded by family and friends, singing, enjoying a warm meal, and spreading holiday cheer all around. If you have never been lucky enough to be invited to one of these celebrations, read on to find out what posadas in Mexico are all about.

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Aside from just celebrating Christmas, La Navidad began originally as a celebration of the Winter Solstice and the beginning of Winter. Why do they celebrate it? The origin of celebrating at this specific time of year in Mexico began thousands of years before the birth of Christ.

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pasar tiempo con familiares y amigos

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liliana

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https://www.abc10.com/article/life/holidays/epiphany-2021-everything-you-need-to-know-about-3-kings-day/103-98e5510c-8b3f-4969-94db-0d49c3e53f77

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Jan. 6 is El Dia de Los Reyes Magos. Here is what you need to know about the upcoming holiday.

SACRAMENTO, Calif - Less than a week into 2021 and there are already reasons to celebrate!

Epiphany is known by several different names, including El Día de Los Reyes Magos and Three Kings' Day. The Jan. 6 holiday celebrates the three kings who each gave a gift to the baby Jesus. Here is what you need to know about the holiday and how you can celebrate it.

Epiphany celebrates the biblical adoration of the baby Jesus by the Three Kings, also referred to as the Three Wise Men or Magi. According to the Gospel of Matthew, one king offered gold, and another offered frankincense to the baby Jesus, symbolizing Jesus' royal standing and divine nature. The third king offered myrrh, which was often used to embalm corpses, as a symbol of Jesus' mortality.

Traditions

Gifts: Gift-giving is a special part of Three Kings' Day and a way to celebrate the gifts given to the baby Jesus in the Bible. Children place their old shoes out before going to bed the night of Jan. 5, and in the morning, the shoes are filled with toys and gifts from the Three Kings.

A large, delicious meal: No holiday is complete without a huge meal, prepared for family and friends. Three Kings' Day is no exception. Good dishes to make include a marinated pork roast, tamales, and Abuelita brand hot chocolate.

Celebration: Celebrations of Three Kings' Day vary across the globe. Some communities host parades, while Disneyland puts on a three-day celebration. In Sacramento, there are a few Three Kings' Day celebrations, with larger celebrations happening across California.

Rosca de Reyes (Three Kings Bread): Rosca de Reyes is a traditional holiday bread made especially for Three Kings' Day. The bread is round in shape as a symbol of a king's crown. Baked within the folds of bread is a clay or porcelain baby Jesus figurine. Whoever finds the toy must then host a party for everyone on Día de la Candelaria, or the Day of the Candles, Feb. 2. Check out this recipe to make this delicious sweet bread on your own.

Where to buy Rosca de Reyes in Sacramento

La Esperanza Bakery: 5044 Franklin Blvd, Sacramento, Ca. 95820

La Superior Mercados: Multiple locations

Las Americas Carniceria y Panaderia: 10319 Folsom Blvd, Rancho Cordova, Ca. 95670

Read more from ABC10

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Epiphany 2021 | Everything you need to know about 3 Kings' Day

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Jan. 6 is El Dia de Los Reyes Magos. Here is what you need to know about the upcoming holiday. SACRAMENTO, Calif - Less than a week into 2021 and there are already reasons to celebrate! Epiphany is known by several different names, including El Día de Los Reyes Magos and Three Kings' Day.

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La Navidad ("The Nativity", i.e. Christmas) was a fort that Christopher Columbus and his crew established on the northeast coast of Haiti (near what is now Caracol, Nord-Est Department, Haiti) in 1492 from the remains of the Spanish ship the Santa María. La Navidad was the first European colony established in the New World during the Age of Discovery, although it was destroyed by the native Taíno people by the following year.

Columbus sailed around the island of Hispaniola on Christmas Eve of 1492, during his first voyage. One of his ships, the Santa María, drifted onto a bank and heeled over. After hearing from Guacanagari that there was much gold to be had on the island, Columbus decided that he would leave the crew of his wrecked vessel to make a settlement on the island and gather the promised gold. He ordered the ship dismantled to provide the building materials for a small fortress:

"I have ordered a tower and fortress to be constructed and, a large cellar, not because I believe there is any necessity on account of [the natives]," he noted in his journal. "I am certain the people I have with me could subjugate all this island... as the population are naked and without arms and very cowardly."

Columbus called the port Puerto de la Navidad ("Christmas Port"), the day he landed there. He appointed Diego de Arana, chief constable of the fleet and son of Rodrigo, Pedro Gutiérrez, butler of the Spanish royal dais, and Rodrigo de Escobedo to govern the fortress of 36 men. They included carpenters, calkers, a physician, a tailor, and a gunner. Additionally, the settlement was supplied with provisions, trading goods, arms and artillery.

On Friday, 4 January 1493, Columbus set sail in the Niña in search of the third ship in the fleet, the Pinta. The Pinta was commanded by Martín Alonzo Pinzón, and had been absent for six weeks. On the night of 21 November, the caravel Pinta had vanished into the darkness off the coast of Cuba, and in his journal Columbus accused Pinzón of deliberately having separated the Pinta from the other ships in order to beat the admiral to the rich sources of gold which Columbus imagined were in the immediate area. Even more disquieting was his fear that Pinzón might break for Spain in the fast-sailing Pinta to be the first to bring news of the discovery to the Catholic Monarchs and to "tell them lies" about the admiral's conduct of the expedition. On Sunday morning, 6 January 1493, the missing Pinta was spotted approaching from the east, and after a heated argument between the two men, the fleet returned to gather people and supplies for a return voyage.

When Columbus returned to Navidad on 27 Nov 1493, his second voyage from Spain, he "found it burned to the ground ... nobody in the vicinity." In the fields nearby, however, he discovered the "bodies of eight Christians." Columbus later discovered that, soon after his departure, his "men began to quarrel among themselves, each taking as many women and as much gold as he could." Gutiérrez and Escobedo left with nine others, along with their women, for the gold mines. However, the "lord of the mines" turned, killed them and then marched back to Navidad, defended by Arana with ten others, and Guacanagari. Caonabo set fire to houses, forcing Columbus' men into the sea, where eight drowned, and three were killed onshore.

Columbus decided to build a settlement farther east in present-day Dominican Republic and named it La Isabela after Queen Isabella I.

After Columbus sailed away a second time, the site apparently was forgotten until a Haitian farmer led William Hodges to a location in 1977. Hodges, an amateur archaeologist and American medical missionary, received permission from the Haitian government to excavate a tennis-court-size section of the marshland, and he and his helpers found some artifacts of La Navidad. Despite the finds, no conclusive evidence has been discovered yet to pinpoint the exact location of La Navidad.

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La Navidad ("The Nativity", i.e. Christmas) was a fort that Christopher Columbus and his crew established on the northeast coast of Haiti (near what is now Caracol, Nord-Est Department, Haiti) in 1492 from the remains of the Spanish ship the Santa María .

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https://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/mexico/christmas-day

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Commemorate the life and times of scientist Isaac Newton and celebrate science and reason. More

Skip the alphabet 'L' in everything you do on December 25 or A'phabet Day or No "L" Day. More

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Celebrations are held throughout Mexico on Christmas Day (Navidad) each year to commemorate the birth of Jesus, whom many Christians believe is the son of God. It is also a worldwide celebration in most Christian churches on December 25.

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https://www.barcelo.com/pinandtravel/en/mexican-christmas-traditions/

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Feliz Navidad! How is Christmas celebrated in Mexico? There are classic traditions, delicious Mexican Christmas food, fun events and much more. Read on to find out interesting facts about Christmas in Mexico, as well as the history of Christmas in Mexico. Maybe you'll be inspired to plan a Mexican holiday getaway this year?

Las Posadas

What are the traditions in Mexico for Christmas? Well, you've probably heard of the 12 days of Christmas between December 25 and January 6. In Mexico (and much of Latin America), it's a little bit different. Las Posadas (which translates to "lodgings" or "shelter") is a holiday celebration that takes place from December 16-25. The nine-day event symbolizes the nine-month pregnancy of Mary, the mother of Jesus. This is a big time in Mexican neighborhoods. If you're traveling in Mexico during the holidays you will discover an array of biblical re-enactments of Mary and Joseph seeking shelter. The events are often accompanied by the singing of classic carols (called villancicos) traditional Mexican Christmas decorations called luces de Belen or "Bethlehem lights" and star-shaped piñatas filled with candy.

Classic villancicos - One of the most fun ways to add a little Latin America twist to your own holiday seasons is to learn a few Mexican Christmas carols, known as villancicos. For a quick primer on this tradition, check out Smithsonian Folkways' recording of a series of villancicos featuring a 17-girl choir at the Bella Vista Children's Home in Panama City, Panama. Some of these songs may sound familiar: for instance, "Noche de Paz" is essentially the same as the holiday favorite "Silent Night." You and your family will be singing along to these beautiful songs in no time. Listen on Spotify.

Christmas Eve traditions in Mexico

The last posada takes place on Christmas Eve (known as Noche Buena) and is followed by a late-night mass known as La Misa Del Gallo (The Mass of the Rooster) - so named because a rooster is believed to have crowed on the night when Jesus was born. After the mass, everyone enjoys a traditional feast (like most Mexican holidays), including lots of food, such as romeritos, served with dried shrimp and potatoes in a tasty green mole sauce. This is also a great time to enjoy a little Ponche Navideño, a warm Christmas punch made by simmering Mexican fruits with cane sugar and spices. It'll warm you right up! Christmas Eve usually ends at midnight with the opening of presents. Then, it's time to rest up for Christmas day itself - December 25 in Mexico is one of the biggest celebrations of the year.

Mexican Christmas Day Traditions

After such a late night on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day in Mexico is usually a day for church, relaxing with family - and food! A Mexican Christmas dinner will often begin with oxtail soup with beans and hot chili. That's followed by roasted turkey and a salad made of fresh fruits and vegetables. Another option is pork and chorizo pozole. Pozole is a slow-cooked Mexican stew and it's sure to become a family favorite if you try it this year. Use Food and Wine's streamlined and easy recipe for pork and chorizo pozole! And no Christmas is complete without dessert. A favorite after-dinner Mexican Christmas food is a Buñuelo - a perfectly crispy, fried tortilla covered in cinnamon and sugar. ¡Delicioso! You can try to make a Buñuelo this Christmas: check out a great recipe from the Mexico In My Kitchen blog.

Dia De Los Santos Inocentes: April Fools ... in December? Los Santos Inocentes (The Sainted Innocents) takes place on December 28 and is devoted to humorous little pranks, like putting salt in the sugar bowl. Trust no one!

El Dia De Los Tres Reyes

The holiday season comes to a close on January 6 during El Dia De Los Tres Reyes (Day of the Three Kings), which celebrates when the Three Wise Men arrived bearing gifts for the baby Jesus. In some parts of Mexico, children leave a shoe out on the night before, in hopes that the Wise Men might leave something for them, too! The next day, there are presents and rosco, a sweet round cake with candied fruits that adults and children alike love.

Barceló holiday offers and packages

Now that you know all about Mexican Christmas, why not plan your very own holiday getaway in Mexico? Barceló's all inclusive resorts off a wide array of deals and packages that will get you to Riviera Maya's sunny skies, pristine beaches and turquoise waters. The hotels will put a tropical spin on your holiday season, offering all kinds of food, drink and fun in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Don't believe us? Take a look at Barceló Maya Grand Resort's amazing gingerbread houses!

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How the Christmas holidays are celebrated in Mexico

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Feliz Navidad! How is Christmas celebrated in Mexico? There are classic traditions, delicious Mexican Christmas food, fun events and much more. Read on to find out interesting facts about Christmas in Mexico, as well as the history of Christmas in Mexico. Maybe you'll be inspired to plan a Mexican holiday getaway this year?