Christmas in Mexico is a long holiday season from December 12 to January 6 known as Guadalupe Reyes marathon. The key celebration is Las Posadas, which starts on December 16 and ends on December 24. It reenacts the journey of Mary and Joseph as they sought a place to stay in Bethlehem. 

    The celebration involves nightly processions where people dressed as Mary and Joseph, and other participants sing their traditional songs (villancicos) as they go from house to house asking for lodging. The residents inside sing back a response, initially refusing them. Once the group is “let in”, they gather inside the home to pray, often around a Nativity scene. After praying, the feast begins. 

    They eat traditional food like tamales, buñuelos and atole. Children often break open a piñata filled with candy as a finale to nights festivities. The nine nights represent nine months of Mary’s pregnancy.