Noche Buena

Noche Buena (Christmas Eve) is a big deal out here. It's pretty much the main event of the Christmas holiday season. The baby Jesus finally makes his big appearance in the nativity scenes, Las Posadas comes to a close, gifts are exchanged, and if you didn't already party during Las Posadas you are likely getting together with friends and family on Noche Buena. 

We spent our Noche Buena with new friends, mostly other expats. Our friends Alohi and Shay who recently moved here from Hawaii for the same reasons as us hosted a Christmas party. It wasn't traditional at all in the Mexican sense, but in the spirit of friends, fun, great food, and good memories it was epic. It was so nice to meet new friends and share such a special holiday with them. It made being away from friends and family back in the US a lil easier. - Nolan

Key Traditions Include:

• Las Posadas (Final Night): Christmas Eve marks the conclusion of Las Posadas, a nine-day series of candlelit processions (Dec 16–24) reenacting Mary and Joseph's search for shelter.
• Misa de Gallo: Many families attend a late-night service called the "Mass of the Rooster" (Misa de Gallo), traditionally held at midnight to celebrate the birth of Jesus.
• Nacimientos (Nativity Scenes): Families often wait until Christmas Eve to place the figure of the Baby Jesus into their home nativity scenes. A tradition known as "Rocking Baby Jesus" involves singing lullabies before placing him in the manger.
• Piñatas: Celebrations often include breaking star-shaped piñatas with seven points, representing the seven deadly sins being overcome by faith.
• Gift Exchange: Unlike in many other countries, gifts are typically opened at midnight on Christmas Eve or shortly after returning from mass. Not all families exchange gifts on Nochebuena, many choose to exchange gifts on Three Kings Day (January 6th) instead, which is also tradition. (Sound confusing? It is, but keep in mind that these weren’t always the traditions, these are traditions that were created by the catholic church to replace and suppress the original native customs.)

Traditional Foods & Drinks

The Nochebuena feast is often a late-night meal served after midnight mass. 

• Main dishes often include Tamales, Bacalao (salted cod with tomatoes and olives), Romeritos (a wild herb in mole sauce with shrimp cakes), and roasted meats like turkey or pork loin.
• Ensalada de Nochebuena: A colorful Christmas salad featuring beets, fruits like pineapple and orange, pecans, and pomegranate seeds.
• Desserts: Buñuelos (crispy fried dough with sugar) are a seasonal staple.
• Drinks: Ponche Navideño is a warm, spiced fruit punch made with tejocotes, guava, and cinnamon. Other favorites include Atole (corn-based drink) and Rompope(Mexican eggnog). 

Post-Nochebuena

• December 25 (La Navidad): This is generally a quiet day of rest known as El Recalentado, where families gather again to eat leftovers from the night before.