5 Villages From Mexico Where You Can Enjoy Christmas With Your Family

5 Villages From Mexico Where You Can Enjoy Christmas With Your Family

If you're looking for a festive way to spend the holidays, you might want to consider traveling to one of Mexico's many charming villages. Here you'll learn about the traditions of Las Posadas, or church Christmas carols, and experience the festive spirit of the season. Plus, you can also experience the ambiance of a traditional Christmas dinner.

Las Posadas

• There are many ways to enjoy the holidays in Mexico. There are traditional plays and celebrations, such as Las Posadas, which tell the story of Mary and Joseph on their journey to find lodging before the birth of Jesus. Each day in these celebrations corresponds to a month in the pregnancy of Jesus.
  
  The Christmas celebrations in Mexico are different in every region of the country. In Guadalupe-Reyes, for example, the city is known for the nine "posadas," which are large parties held in the days before Christmas. The posadas celebrate the birth of Jesus and are a cultural staple. Some of the typical foods are pavo (turkey), lomo relleno (stuffed pork tenderloin), romeritos (pork), and dried cod cooked in tomato sauce. Ponche (sweet desserts made of tropical fruits) is also a festive treat during this time.
  
  In addition to tamales, Las Posadas also feature bunuelos. These are tortilla-shaped fritters sprinkled with granulated sugar. Some people choose to pour brown sugar syrup over their bunuelos before eating them. Although these are a popular treat, bunuelos are also easy to make at home. If you don't have time to make them yourself, you can always purchase them in a local posada.
  
  

Las Pastorelas

Christmas in Mexico is a joyous time for families, and you can find several options for celebrations in this country. For example, you can watch a traditional Mexican play called Las Pastorelas, which is a nativity play re-enactment. This play is performed by local children in villages all over Mexico, and is a traditional way to celebrate the birth of Jesus. The tradition began when Spanish missionaries forced the native people to move to new settlements next to churches. The missionaries used the Pastorelas as a way to convert the indigenous people to Catholicism.

If you want to experience the true essence of Christmas in Mexico, you should watch one of these pastorelas. These plays retell biblical stories in a humorous way. These performances are known as pastorelas and are performed outdoors. These performances usually feature children, and tell the story of Jesus' birth in an entertaining way. The first pastorela to be performed in Mexico was the Adoration of the Magi, but the Noche de Paz is now one of the most popular.

The holiday season in Mexico is a magical time for families, and the towns and villages have plenty to celebrate. Christmas in Mexico is one of the most elaborate celebrations of the year. Families can spend quality time together, surrounded by beautiful people, and the festive atmosphere.

Las Posadas in Tulum

• The nine days of Las Posadas are a celebration of generosity and charity. During the festivities, guests are served tamales, steamed mashed maize with meat and a husk, and bunuelos (fried dough with cinnamon). Guests are also served a variety of festive drinks, such as ponche, a hot corn-based beverage. The drink is made with cinnamon, guavas, tejocotes, and piloncillo.
  
  Visitors can participate in a religious procession re-enacting the journey of Mary and Joseph. Children are also encouraged to prepare a performance for the procession and share the story with visitors. Afterwards, relatives get together at friends' homes for grand feasts and drinks. This time of year is filled with celebration, laughter, and food. Children can also participate in traditional activities, such as baking Rosca de Reyes, a traditional sweet bread with dried fruits and chocolate.
  
  As part of the celebration, children will get to participate in the famous pinata, or 'pinata', which is a small jar filled with sweets. The jar is often decorated with seven peaks, representing the seven deadly sins. Children often blindfold themselves to hit the pinata, and when the candy falls out, they rush to pick it up.
  
  

Las Posadas in Oaxaca

• The Christmas tradition of Las Posadas began nine days before Christ's birth, a reminder of the nine months Mary had to wait before she gave birth to Jesus. Although Christmas in the United States takes place on December 25, Mexican families celebrate it the day before, on December 24. During this special day, families open presents and tell jokes. Some even dance until the sun comes up, as a celebration of the birth of Jesus.
  
  The tradition of Las Posadas dates back to colonial Mexico. The Augustinian friars of San Agustin de Acolman are said to have organized the first posadas. The friars later obtained a papal bull from Pope Sixtus V to celebrate the celebration. The posadas are a religious event that mixes the magic of the holidays with the spiritual beliefs of the local people. Today, these celebrations include faroles, pinatas, and traditional nacimientos.
  
  Children sell candy and confetti. Others sell bunuelos, fried dough pastry topped with cinnamon and sugar. Bunuelos are one of the traditional Mexican desserts and are available from small food stands during the Christmas season. It is easy to spot the Christmas spirit in Mexico when the smell of freshly fried bunuelos fills the air.
  
  

Noche Buena in San Miguel de Allende

• San Miguel de Allende celebrates Noche Buena, a traditional Mexican holiday, from 6 to 22 December. Its annual feria features pastorelas, concerts, villancicos, food shows, and more. These festivities are highly requested. The celebrations culminate with a public concert at the el Jardin Principal.
  
  The traditional beverage is a dark bock with German roots. This beer was originally created by German monks during Lent and has a rich red color and thick head. Its flavor is complex with chocolate and caramel notes and toasted malts. The beer is best drunk with close friends and family.
  
  While visiting San Miguel de Allende during Noche Buena, don't miss the Mojiganga, the city's patron saint's day celebration. This festival brings in surrounding villages. The parades feature giant paper mache puppets, decorated dancers, and church processions.
  
  Although the celebrations are more subdued, you can still enjoy a festive atmosphere, with plenty of festivities to choose from. You can attend traditional mariachi performances, a children's choir, or enjoy classical music performances. Whether you're looking for a romantic or adventurous holiday, San Miguel has something to offer you.