Hispanic Holidays

Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos)-November 1st and 2nd
The Day of the Dead is a holiday originating in Mexico where family and friends gather to pray and remember friends and family members who have died. Traditions include building private altars honoring the deceased, using sugar skulls, marigolds and favorite foods and beverages of the departed and visiting graves with these as gifts.

Thanksgiving (Día de Acción de Gracias)-November 24th
Thanksgiving is celebrated similar to the “American” holiday with the turkey being the focus, yet foods such as tamales, pozole and enchiladas are also served.

Virgin of Guadalupe Day (Día de la Virgen de Guadalupe)-December 12th
The day of the Virgin of Guadalupe is one of the most important and revered days in Mexico. Every December 12th, Mexicans and Latin Americans alike, celebrate the day in which “Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe” or Our Lady of Guadalupe appeared to a poor Indian named Juan Diego.

Las Posadas-December 16th–24th
Las Posadas is a nine-day religious observance which families gather in the evenings with Christmas processions that re-create the Holy Pilgrimage of Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus on their way to Bethlehem.

Christmas (Navidad)-December 25th
Hispanics celebrate Christmas Eve by reuniting with their families for “la Cena de Nochebuena” (Christmas Eve dinner) before attending mass.

New Years-December 31st
Latinos gather together like the rest of the world to celebrate the past year and wish everyone well for the new year. Typical traditions are to eat 12 grapes at midnight and lentils are often served as a symbol of abundance.

Three Kings Day (Día de los Tres Reyes)-January 6th
Hispanic families gather and celebrate the Epiphany remembering the day when the Three Wise Men following the star to Bethlehem, arrived bearing their treasured gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh for the baby Jesus. Families typically enjoy tamales, hot chocolate and “Rosca, a pastry with a tiny baby Jesus buried inside. The person who finds the baby Jesus must host the celebration the following year.