Discover the Magic: Top 9 Fun Facts About Christmas in Mexico You Never Knew!

1. Piñata Therapy

Who needs therapy when you can just hit a star-shaped piñata? In Mexico, they've got a fun way to conquer those seven deadly sins during Christmas: a traditional seven-pointed star piñata takes a beating during the festive nine-day posada celebration. This colorful symbol of sin meets its explosive end when candy and toys burst forth from within, signifying the triumph over vices – and possibly putting your therapist out of business. Break on through to the candy side!
Source => mexiconewsdaily.com

2. Radish Art Showdown

In Mexico, a radish is not just a salad's wingman; it's the star performer in a creativity-infused Christmas showdown: Noche de Rábanos, or the Night of the Radishes, is an annual festival held on December 23rd in Oaxaca where people carve massive radishes into intricate sculptures, competing for prizes in categories that would make Renaissance artists blush. The tradition stems from radish-addicted Spanish colonizers and has since seen Oaxaca dedicating land for growing these art canvas veggies which can weigh up to three kilograms, and wilt soon after their moment in the limelight. But fear not, dried flowers and corn husks also get their chance to dazzle in their very own sculpting categories.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

Did you know that Christmas in Spain lasts for 15 days and features unique traditions like the El Gordo lottery, Tió de Nadal log, and Reyes Magos parade? Discover more about Spain's festive celebrations! 🎄🇪🇸🎉

=> Fun Facts about Christmas-In-Spain

3. Nine Nights of Candlelit Extravaganzas

Forget Joseph and his coat of many colors: Mexicans have Las Posadas with their epic nine nights of candlelit extravaganzas! Boom! They're basically re-enacting Mary and Joseph's quest for Airbnb availability in a Bethlehem pre-internet era: Participants get into the festive spirit by carrying religious figurines and candles, singing, and praying, as they take turns providing lodging at different homes each night. Round it off with a star-shaped piñata, and the whole shindig finally wraps up on Christmas Eve with a #FOMO inducing midnight Mass.
Source => franciscanmedia.org

4. Musical Shelter-Seeking

Knock, knock, who's there? Nope, it's not a cheesy joke, but rather a melodic slice of festive Mexican hospitality, and it comes fully loaded with tamales, atole, and a piñata stuffed with candy: During Las Posadas, a nine-day novena leading up to Christmas, Mexican families reenact Mary and Joseph's quest for shelter by singing "La Cancíon Para Pedir Posada" while moving from house to house until they find a welcoming host, fusing Catholic Christmas traditions with Aztec elements like honoring the sun and war god Huitzilopochtli.
Source => newyorklatinculture.com

5. Jolly Holiday Punch

'Tis the season to sip on some fruity holiday cheer, as the Mexicans blend a winter elixir with a punch so jolly, it could lift Santa's sleigh: Ponche Navideño is a traditional Mexican Christmas beverage, made from water, fresh and dried fruits - guavas, apples, prunes, tamarind - sugar cane sticks, cinnamon, and optional alcohol, blending warmth, sweetness, and aromatic spices for festive family gatherings during the holiday season.
Source => mexicoinmykitchen.com

6. Baby Jesus Fashion Show

Move over, Fashion Week – the baby Jesus couture has got Mexico City's streets strutting in style on Candelaria Day: Each year since 1912, families gather to feast on tamales and outfit their baby Jesus figurines in exquisite ensembles, embellished with everything from sequins to pearls, before revealing them 40 days after Christmas in a holy runway extravaganza on Talavera Street in La Mercerd neighborhood.
Source => mexiconewsdaily.com

7. Piñatas: Divine Disciplinary Tools

Mexican Christmas piñatas: More than just a smash hit at parties, these potential copyright threats used to teach heavy-duty religious lessons! Did you know that piñatas in Mexico can be traced back to 1586, where Augustinian monks craftily adapted the traditional Aztec celebrations in the town of Acolman? These monks redefined the party must-haves to have seven points representing the seven deadly sins, effectively turning them into divine disciplinary tools! Nowadays, the piñata repertoire has expanded to include everything from classic star shapes to modern, copyrighted characters that sometimes face the government's wrath!
Source => en.wikipedia.org

8. Three Kings Day Celebration

Who needs Santa when you've got a trio of fabulous, gift-giving monarchs strutting their festive stuff? In Mexico, children swap reindeer snacks for hump-backed treats: Rather than celebrating Christmas Day with gifts, Mexican youngsters rejoice in Three Kings Day on January 6th. They receive presents from the famous kings who visited baby Jesus, complete with twinkling lights, lively parades, Nativity scenes, and a royally delicious breakfast of Roscón de Reyes. This ring-shaped cake, adorned with fruit jewels fit for the kings themselves, tops off the celebration as children leave goodies for the kings and their camels in exchange for fabulous gifts.
Source => imagine-mexico.com

9. Two-Month Fiesta Extravaganza

Hold onto your sombreros, folks, because Mexico's Christmas season turns winter into a two-month fiesta extravaganza: Spanning from December 12th's Dia de la Virgen de Guadalupe to February 2nd's Dia de la Candelaria, the season encompasses spirited celebrations like Las Posadas, Nochebuena, and Dia de los Reyes Magos, making it a jolly, holly tour de force in the land of the Aztecs.
Source => travelmexicosolo.com