Your Coast to Coast Guide for Latin Christmas Events
Looking for ways to celebrate the holiday cheer with a bit of sabor? From East Coast to West, we’ve got you covered with your go-to Latin Christmas event guide
Photo: Unsplash/@punttim
Looking for ways to celebrate the holiday cheer with a bit of sabor? From East Coast to West, we’ve got you covered with your go-to Latin Christmas event guide.
Los Angeles
Playing now and running through January 7, check out the Latina Christmas Special at the Los Angeles Theater Center on 514 S. Spring Street in LA. In this comedic and musical performance, three first generation Latinas tell stories of their multicultural Christmas past. There’s even a Groupon available!
L.A. goes all out for the Feast of the Virgin of Guadalupe, starting its celebrations on December 11 at 7 PM. There will be mass as well as traditional dances and food at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Los Angeles.
Traditional dance troupe Danza Floricanto will hold their Navidad en Whittier performance on December 16 at 7:30 PM at Whittier College. Founded in 1975, they’re the oldest Mexican folkloric dance group in LA.
The Olvera Street Posadas have become a longstanding LA tradition. Aligned with the start of the posadas in Guatemala in Mexico on December 16, head to Olvera Street if you can’t make it south of the border.wp_*posts
Bay Area
The San Francisco Mexican Museum at 2 Marina Boulevard in San Francisco will hold its annual Holiday Mercado in its Gift Shop on December 9 and 10. There will be crafts from Mexico as well as local vendors and discounted museum entry.
In honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the Cruzada Guadalupana organizes a yearly 12 mile pilgrimage through the Streets of San Francisco. For those early risers, the journey starts at 5 AM at 315 Walnut Ave, South San Francisco, CA on December 9.
La Peña Tianguis will be held in Berkeley from 11 AM – 4 PM on December 9. Reminiscent of open air markets in Mexico and Central America, you can skip the mall and find some creative holiday gifts here. 3105 Shattuck Ave. Berkeley, CA.
La Cumbiamba Colombiana is hosting a Día de las Velitas celebration on December 9 from 3 – 9 PM at 1700 Alum Rock Avenue in San Jose. With crafts for the kids, presentations, and a variety of Colombian dancing, there will be something for everyone. $10 entry cost.
La Cantina Sports Bar in San Jose will also host a Venezuelan Christmas lunch on December 10, complete with DJs, singing, and dancing.
The Ballet Folklorico Mexicano will recreate scenery of typical Mexican streets during Christmas in its Navidad en Mexico presentation. Chabot College Performing Arts Center in Hayward, December 10, 3 PM.
The renowned group Mariachi Sol de Mexico will perform their Christmas Concert: A Merry-achi Christmas at the San Francisco Symphony at 8 PM on December 10.
Complete with posadas and ponche, Fruitvale in Oakland will have its fiesta navideña on December 16 at 4 PM. Corner of International Blvd. and 35th Ave. Oakland, CA.
La Peña in Berkeley will host its Parrandas Celebration, complete with traditional Puerto Rican food on December 17 at 2:30 PM. 3105 Shattuck Ave. Berkeley, CA.
Brought to the Caribbean from Spain, if you want to check out a Christmas inspired flamenco show, head to Café Flamenco at Rhythmix Cultural Works in Alameda on December 17 at 7 PM.wp_*posts
Chicago
The Museum of Science and Industry is running their Christmas Around the World celebration now through January 7. This year’s theme is inspired by the museum’s Robot Revolution exhibit, so it will mix tradition with technology from more than 40 countries around the world.
On December 13, the Hispanic Professional Network will host their holiday party at Frosty’s Christmas Bar (809 West Evergreen Avenue in Chicago). All who are 21+ are welcome to meet and join the organization.
The Chicago Latino Alliance will be sponsoring a family friendly musical celebration at the Chicago Symphony Center on December 15 at 5:30 PM.
Cuerdas clásicas and Raíces de los Andes will be performing villancicos and posadas at the National Museum of Mexican Art on December 16 at 7 PM.wp_*posts
Houston
From December 11 – 16, Telemundo Houston will be hosting their annual Posadas with food, music, and games at various locations across the city.wp_*posts
South Florida
Miami’s Boqueron Social Club will be hosting a Puerto Rican style Parranda celebration on December 16 at 9 PM.
Grammy nominee and Latin Grammy winner Ed Calle will be performing a holiday concert at the Open Stage Club in Coral Gables on December 20 at 7 PM. Dinner will be served as you enjoy his Latin jazz fusion.
Outside of West Palm Beach in Greenacres, check out Latin music, arts and crafts, and food in the West Palm Beach Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce’s annual Three King’s Day Celebration on January 6 at 3 PM.wp_*posts
New York
We saw their initial competition at the Museo del Barrio in Harlem—if you want to catch the Coquito Masters final round competition, head to the Bronx Museum of the Arts on December 16 at 6 PM.
You can get your fill of Puerto Rican parrandas at the Moore Street Market in Brooklyn on December 9.
The Centro Español in Queens will host their Baile de Navidad on December 23 at 10 PM. Stop by earlier for dinner, and stay for Caribbean influenced Christmas music.
El Museo del Barrio will hold their 41st Annual Three King’s Day Parade on January 5 at 11 AM. Marching up from 106th Street to 115th Street on Lexington Avenue, this may be your one chance to see real live camels in Harlem!
Teatro SEA at the Clemente in the Lower East Side hosts an annual Three King’s Day celebration and re-enactment for children each January. Be on the lookout on their site for upcoming details on this year’s event.
