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Christmas in Mexico. Navidad. Mexicans start the festivities on December 16th and finish up by February 2nd!
Celebrating Christmas in Mexico
You will find in nearly every Mexican home a Nativity scene with clay or plaster figures. Pine Christmas trees are a luxury so you might find a small artificial tree or a branch cut from a copal tree.
Starting December 16th, each night for nine nights, groups of candle carrying partiers re-enact Joseph and Mary’s quest for lodging in Bethlehem. The group stops at a designated house to sing traditional songs and words requesting shelter for the night.
The group is told there is no room at the Inn, but they are welcome to the stable. At that point, the front doors are flung open and the party begins with food, beverages and adults and kids taking part cracking piñatas.
Holiday festivities culminate on Noche Buena (Christmas Eve) where everyone celebrates midnight mass known as Rooster’s Mass - Misa de Gallo.
Afterwards, families head home for a traditional meal of tamales and atole (corn gruel) or other local dishes. The evening goes on to the wee hours opening gifts, cracking piñatas and lighting fireworks.
The 25th is usually reserved for relaxation. Traditionally, Mexican children direct gift wishes not to Santa Claus but to the Baby Jesus for Christmas Eve and the Magi for Three Kings Day (January 6th).
On Three Kings Day, a traditional dessert is a Rosca de Reyes-a crown-shaped sweet bread decorated with jewel-like candied fruits. Tiny figures of babies are hidden in the dough. Whoever gets a slice with a baby must throw a party on or before Candlemas, February 2, when Mexico’s holiday season finally ends.
Whew!