The posadas is a traditional part of the Christmas celebration in Mexico, and other Latin American countries. The celebration starts on December 16th., and it lasts for 9 days ending on Noche Buena (Christmas Eve)

Posada in Spanish means lodging, and the Posada celebrations enact Mary and Joseph’s difficult journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem in search for lodging.

On each one of the nine night before Christmas, a party is held in a home in the neighborhood. There is plenty of food and drinks, and special treats for the children. Tipically, each home in the neighborhood will have a nativity scene displayed. The nativity scene is usually the central focus of the Christmas decoration.

The hosts of the homes, play the part of inn keepers, and the neighborhood children, and adults are the Peregrinos (Pilgrims) who request lodging by singing traditional chants.

The posada begins every night with a procession led by a small child dressed as an angel, followed by 4 children carrying small statues of Mary and Joseph. This is followed by boys dressed in silver and gold robes, and at the back of the procession are the adults, and musicians.

Participants in the procession carry small lit candles which are placed in colorful paper shades known as "faroles" (lanterns). The pilgrims make stops at 3 different homes asking for lodging.

The fist two reject them by replying with a chant, but the third home which has been previously assigned, gives them lodging. This is where the Posada will be held for that evening. The home owners open the doors, and everyone enters and gathers around the Nativity where they pray the Rosary, and sing "Villancicos" (Christmas carols)

After the religious part of the celebration ends, the party begins. Participants eat and drink in merriment, and the party ends with a Piñata which is a container that can be an earthenware jar,  an inflated balloon  or a soft cardboard box covered with colorful paper mache. The container is filled with candy and trinkets, and hoisted on a rope.

A child is blindfolded, turned around a few times to disorient him then, he’s given a stick, and a chance to crack open the piñata with it. When the piñata is broken, the children scramble for the candies.