Where to Find Las Posadas Celebrations in United States

Recalling and reenacting the travels of the Holy Family in search of lodging for the birth of the Christ Child, Las Posadas is a treasured tradition throughout Mexico and Central America. On the nine nights before Christmas, people of all ages dress as figures from the story and move house to house, where they are welcomed with hot foods and sweets. Musicians often accompany the candle-lit processions, which end with piñatas and gifts for children.

In the United States, Las Posadas is celebrated in many cities with strong Mexican or Guatemalan communities, including Santa Fe, San Francisco, San Antonio, Tucson and Los Angeles. Family travelers to these destinations can catch a glimpse of the action.

Perhaps the best known is in San Antonio, Texas, where it is observed in several churches and neighborhoods. The most prominent and visitor-friendly is San Antonio Riverwalk’s Las Posadas, featuring live music, glowing luminaria and colorful light displays. More traditional processions and reenactments are at San Fernando Cathedral and inside Basilica of the National Shrine of Little Flower. The audience is invited to join a procession around the interior of the Basilica, followed by Hispanic Christmas songs and traditional Christmas songs from around the world.

In the Los Angeles Plaza Historic District, Olvera Street is decorated, and there’s a scene of nightly music, traditional foods, reenactments and caroling. The procession begins and ends at the oldest house in the city, Avila Adobe.

The well-preserved historic adobe buildings of Santa Fe, highlighted with Christmas lights, are a natural and picturesque setting for traditional Las Posadas. The procession begins at Palace of the Governors and continues through the Plaza. Prayers, carols and piñatas follow in a joyful celebration.

Parish churches in Tucson, Arizona, welcome visitors to join Las Posadas, which include traditional processions, music, foods and piñatas. Elsewhere, larger community celebrations are equally traveler-friendly.

If your family is traveling to any city with significant Hispanic communities, a little advance research may reveal local Las Posadas celebrations.