Las Posadas is a prayerful religious festival celebrated from December 16-December 24th primarily in Latin America, Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, Cuba, Spain, and by Latinx peoples in the United States. The festival is celebrated for 9 days, in honor of the 9 months Mary spent pregnant with Jesus. The name comes from the Spanish word “posada,” or “lodging.” In this case, it refers to the inn where Jesus was born.

For the holiday, two people dress up as Mary and Joseph and go around to different houses (inns) to be let in. They enter and typically kneel by the Nativity to pray together.