What is Las Posadas?

Las Posadas is a novenario (private or public prayers repeated for nine successive days or weeks). It is celebrated chiefly in Latin America, Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Cuba, and by Hispanics in the United States. It is typically celebrated each year between December 16 and December 24. Latin American countries have continued to celebrate the holiday, with very few changes to the tradition.

Las Posadas derives from the Spanish word posada (lodging, or accommodation) which, in this case, refers to the inn from the Nativity story. It uses the plural form because the celebration lasts for nine days during the Christmas season, which represents the nine-month pregnancy of Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ.