Why go
The repeated request for shelter reenacts Mary and Joseph’s journey, making the singing and the eventual welcome part of the meaning rather than just holiday entertainment. In Puerto Vallarta, the tradition has also been interpreted through nativity scenes and local plants at Vallarta Botanical Garden.
The full story
Las Posadas takes its name from posada, a place to stay. Across nine evenings from December 16 to 24, a procession representing Mary and Joseph seeks lodging. At designated homes or another gathering place, the visitors sing their request and the hosts answer before finally welcoming them in. Prayers, carols, food and, in some celebrations, a star-shaped piñata can follow. The form of the procession varies: people may act the parts or carry figures, and the final gathering may be at a home or church. In Puerto Vallarta, a past celebration at Vallarta Botanical Garden connected the nativity story to plants including poinsettias and Mexican pines. That example shows how a broad Mexican tradition can take on a local setting, but it is not a standing event schedule. If you want to attend a public celebration, check the current program of the venue or parish before planning around it.