Santa Claus, Papai Noel, Babbo Natale Are Coming to Town: 5 Christmas Traditions from Around the World

4. Mexico

If you happen to be in Mexico during Christmas, you’re in for a whirlwind of celebrations that start on December 12 and go all the way to January 6.

Starting a few days into the Christmas season, children dress up and take part in Posada processions. This tradition is meant to teach children about Mary and Joseph’s struggle to find a home where the baby Jesus could be born. Children in these processions stop at nine different houses (usually family and friends) and sing a song or two. At the first eight houses, the children are told there’s no room for them to come in. At the ninth house, the children are welcomed inside and amused with games like piñata.

Houses in Mexico are decorated with beautiful nativity scenes called nacimientos, which often feature ordinary men and women along with the Wise Men and shepherds.

In Mexico, December 16th to December 24th children perform Posada processions where they carol from house to house recounting Joseph and Mary’s journey to Bethlehem. pic.twitter.com/d6u4FiuUpB

— PROJECT AK-47 (@projectak47) December 21, 2017