8 Things To Do In Mexico for Christmas

Are you looking for the best things to do in Mexico for Christmas?

In Mexico, the Christmas season lasts for an entire month of parties and celebrations. With the predominantly Roman Catholic population in Mexico, many of the country’s Christmas customs are based on religious themes.

Still, the indigenous practices that were once widespread in Mexico are reflected in many of the Catholic Christmas traditions. Mexico is a one-of-a-kind destination for celebrating the winter holidays because of the country’s blend of religious and indigenous holiday traditions.

READ MORE : Thanksgiving In Mexico

We rounded up a list of things to do at Christmas in Mexico, from breaking piñatas to enjoying authentic holiday food and drinks—and even a unique destination to spend Christmas in.

8 Things To Do In Mexico For Christmas

1. Savor the Christmas Atmosphere in Mexico City

• Take in the beauty of the lights in the zocalo.

The Zocalo, also known as City Center, is one of the top locations to view the Christmas lights in the Mexican capital. The lights remain in place throughout most of December and into the early part of January, and they are very stunning. In addition, there are many street entertainers, such as people dressed up as the Grinch and other Christmas figures, who will be available for children to snap photos with.

• Look for the Nativity Scenes Placed All Along Reforma Avenue.

During December,  Reforma Avenue is lined with numerous impromptu living nativity displays. This is a well-known street in Mexico City, where you will find the Angel of Independence. Poinsettia flowers, popularly known as “Noche Buenas,” are used to transform the street median into a sea of vivid red color for guests to enjoy as they stroll down the street.

• Go skating In the Zocalo

Skating is available at the Zocalo, so you might as well linger after viewing the holiday lights. The city typically installs a sizable outdoor ice skating rink for the public.

Recently, however, the city decided to convert the rink from an ice skating rink into one for roller skating and rollerblading. Since it’s tough to keep the ice rink cold enough for the ice to stay solid during the day, ice skating is typically limited to cooler hours. During the winter, Mexico City’s temperature only significantly decreases in the mornings and evenings. It can still get reasonably warm during the day.

2. Take part in Las Posadas

Throughout Mexico, Posadas (nightly holiday parties) begin on December 16th. Joseph and Mary spent a month traveling from Nazareth to Bethlehem, and the Posadas represent that journey. They needed to find a hospital or other suitable location to give birth.

This is a long-standing custom in Mexico to celebrate the holiday season. Posadas can range from intimate gatherings in people’s homes or rented venues to massive citywide festivals. Pastorela performances are also standard at posadas; they depict the path taken by the shepherds on their way to see the Nio Jesus (Baby Jesus).

Pastorales are comedic plays that typically retell Bible stories with a touch of fun and are performed by children. You can even find yourself participating in the pedir posadas at a private celebration (posada songs).

You will sing certain songs and verses while you knock on people’s doors. As with Christmas carolers in other countries, you’ll visit new homes for each tune.

The Biblical story of Joseph and Mary going from house to house to find a place to give birth to Jesus is said to be represented by this practice. In fact, “lodgings” or “accommodations” is the literal translation of the word “posada.”

3. See the Noche de Los Rábanos (Radish Night) in Oaxaca

On the 23rd of December of each year, the city of Oaxaca puts on a special holiday celebration for its residents. Local artisans use radishes to create various figures and settings, ranging from flowers and animals to saints and nativity scenes, which are carved from radishes and assembled.

The celebration dates back to the colonial era when Spanish explorers brought radishes to the Americas. People in Oaxaca, which is known for its wood carving history, began making wooden figurines out of radishes on December 23 for the Christmas market that was hosted in the town square. The city began holding this type of competition formally in 1897.

During this well-attended event, the city’s central plaza is crammed with stalls. Large crowds wait in line to get a glimpse of the breathtaking exhibits.

4. Spend Christmas in Chiapas Highlands

The Chiapas Highlands is one of the most unusual destinations in Mexico to celebrate Christmas. The Highlands are home to stunning rivers and cascading waterfalls that you will love. Many indigenous peoples, including some who follow the Mayan faith, live in colonial settlements in the highlands’ surrounding mountains.

Some of the best Christmas decorations you will ever see in Mexico are in San Cristóbal de las Casas, the capital of Los Altos de Chiapas, and the center of Mexico’s enduring Maya culture.

Visit the nearby Mercado Indgena to purchase authentic indigenous handicrafts like woven textiles, leather goods, and pottery. San Juan Chamula and Zinacantán, two Maya communities just north of the capital, are also well worth your time.

San Cristóbal de las Casas is in South Chiapas. From Mexico City, travel to the Tuxtla Gutiérrez airport, and from there, take cabs or buses to San Cristóbal.

5. Witness the Breaking of Piñatas

There is no place in Mexico where you won’t find a piñata during Christmas.

In Mexico, piatas are a staple of any party, and they come in all sizes and forms for any occasion. During the Christmas season, though, piñatas take on a more distinctive form— that of a seven-pointed star.

These star-shaped piñatas have historically been made out of clay. However, it is not safe to smash clay over a child’s head. This is why, while clay piñatas are still created and used, their cardboard star counterparts have become increasingly popular.

Seven-pointed piñatas symbolize the seven deadly sins: gluttony, envy, greed, sloth, lust, pride, and rage.

While taking turns bashing the piñata, the kids perform a song. When the song is through, it’s time for the next kid to sing. There is a good chance you’ll see this entertaining custom at a Mexican Christmas celebration.

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6. Celebrate Nochebuena

Nochebuena is the name given to Christmas Eve celebrations in Mexico. This also heralds the end of the posadas.

After returning from the celebratory mass at midnight, devout Catholics return to their posadas to continue the festivities. Posada celebrations typically continue late into the night or the early morning hours of Christmas Day once they begin on this evening.

Nochebuena is also the time when all of the family members get together to celebrate, as well as the time when gifts are given to one another.

Another meaning of “Nochebuena” in Spanish is “poinsettia.” During the entire holiday season, Nochebuena flowers decorate the interiors and exteriors of homes.

7. Eat Nochebuena food

Food plays a significant role in Mexican Christmas celebrations.

If you’re going to Mexico this Christmas, you should partake in at least one of the many traditional dishes prepared for the celebrations. Some of the food you’ll find in a nochebuena spread are:

• Tamales – The masa filling for tamales is created by steaming a dough made from nixtamalized maize in a corn husk or banana leaf. You may find these all year long in Mexican grocery stores, but they have a special place in the hearts of Mexicans at Christmastime.
• Bacalao – Bacalao, or dried, salted codfish, is a common holiday food item in Mexico. Although it was developed in Europe, this meal has become a mainstay at Mexican Christmas celebrations.
• Buñuelos – These are a type of fried fritter that is typically eaten with a hot beverage and topped with sugar or syrup. During nochebuena, it is customary to make a wish and dump your dish on the ground after devouring the sweet delight.
• Pozole – The meats of choice in pozole, a Mexican soup, are chicken and pork. It’s a staple of Mexican Christmas celebrations, and it’s especially popular at huge family Christmas Eve banquets.
• Ensalada de Nochebuena – In Mexico, the Christmas Eve meal traditionally includes this special It can be cooked from various fruits and vegetables, but standard components include beetroot, carrot, lettuce, pecans, pineapple, and pomegranate seeds.

8. Drink Ponche

During the Christmas season in Mexico, everyone drinks ponche as their go-to festive beverage. Although there are some regional differences in the fruits that are used to make this drink, the essential ingredients are typically the same.

Apples, tejocote (Mexican hawthorn), guava, tamarind, dried hibiscus flowers, whole cloves, sugar cane, brown sugar (piloncillo cone), and cinnamon sticks are some of the traditional fruits and spices that are included in ponche.

These components should be hacked up and then simmered together for a few hours in a pot on the stove. Ponche is one of the most well-liked drinks that can be found at posadas and is served hot.

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