Christmas Traditions in Mexico

Feliz Navidad

Christmas in Mexico is a time for reflecting and sharing with the family. There are many different customs throughout the country since each state of the Republic celebrates in a unique way. Here we will share with you the customs celebrated in the state of Veracruz.

Around the 13th or 14th of December it is very common to see groups of young people and adults going from door to door singing Christmas carols or “haciendo Rama”. The songs are generally made up of rhymes and are meant to be funny. This custom continues through the 23rd of December.

The “posadas” are celebrations which begin on the 16th of December. During this time there is a lot of food and drink as well as piñatas and games. At these parties there is a lot of dancing and they last until very early in the morning! Many times these parties take place in communities where neighbors will gather to decorate their streets for the holidays. The last “posada” is celebrated on the 23rd of December.

The 24th is Christmas Eve and people generally go to church. After church there is a large meal consisting of turkey, chicken, fruit tea, sweets and many other things. It is not very common to exchange gifts, although some people do.

A relatively new custom is to put a rag doll filled with sawdust and firecrackers outside of the house. It will sit there until December 31st when it will be lit on fire to signify the ending of the old year and the beginning of the new.