Las Posadas

Las Posadas: December 16-24



This 9 day festival is central to Navidad (Christmas) celebrations in Mexico. This is a neighbourhood festival that commemorates the journey of Mary and Joseph, who could not find posadas, (Spanish for “lodging”) before the birth of Jesus. A procession, including people dressed as Angels, Saints and the Holy Family, marches through the neighbourhood, knocking on doors looking for a place to stay. Like Mary and Joseph, they are refused, until finally the parade ends at one home where they are welcomed in. Feasting ensues, including a pinata for the children.


Find out more:


Be sure to check out our display, “Holidays & Holy Days,” at your School Library.

The Holiday Season 2025

Here are just some of the observances, festivals, celebrations and special days that take place in the coming month or so of holidays and holy days, known to many as “The Holiday Season.”

  • November 30: Advent (first Sunday)
  • December 1: Gita Jayanti
  • December 2: Giving Tuesday
  • December 5: Krampusnacht
  • December 6: St. Nicholas Day
  • December 7: Advent (second Sunday)
  • December 8: Bodhi Day / Rohatsu
  • December 8: Feast of the Immaculate Conception
  • December 10: International Human Rights Day
  • December 11: Feast of Masa’il
  • December 14: Advent (third Sunday)
  • December 14 (evening): Hanukkah begins
  • December 16: Simbang Gabi / Los Posadas
  • December 21: Winter Solstice / Yule / Grianstad an Gheimhridh
  • December 21: Advent (fourth Sunday)
  • December 22: Hanukkah concludes
  • December 23: Festivus
  • December 24: Christmas Eve
  • December 25: Christmas Day
  • December 26: St. Stephen’s Day
  • December 26: Kwanzaa begins
  • December 31: New Year’s Eve
  • December 31: Hogmanay
  • January 1: New Year’s Day
  • January 1: Kwanzaa concludes
  • January 5: Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti
  • January 5: 12th Night / Christmastide concludes
  • January 6: Epiphany / King’s Day
  • January 7: Orthodox Christmas
  • January 13: Yule (First Full Moon after Solstice)
  • January 13: Maghi / Lohri

Visit your School Library, in person and online, to find out more about this season of Holidays and Holy Days.

Holidays & Holy Days


Happy Holidays! We have entered another season of feasts and festivals, holy days and holidays, in and around December. Visit your School Library, in person or online, to learn more about Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Yule, St. Nicholas Day, Simbang Gabi, Festivus, the Nativity, the Winter Solstice, Krampusnacht, New Year’s Eve, Advent, Bodhi, Boxing Day and more.