Free Las Posadas Coloring Pages

The History Behind the Nine-Day Procession

Las Posadas is a significant cultural celebration observed in Mexico and parts of the United States from December 16th to the 24th. The word posada translates to inn or shelter. During these nine nights, communities reenact the biblical journey of Mary and Joseph traveling to Bethlehem.

Participants walk through their neighborhoods holding candles and singing traditional songs, asking for lodging at designated homes. The residents initially turn them away in song before finally welcoming them inside for the evening's festivities. Our procession coloring pages depict these candlelit walks. Teachers can use these sheets alongside Hispanic heritage lessons about winter holidays around the world, emphasizing the luminarias and the traditional clothing worn by the children.

Traditional Foods and Fiesta Customs

After the procession concludes and the piñata is broken, the community gathers for a festive meal. The host family often displays a detailed nacimiento, or nativity scene, which remains a focal point of the home throughout the season. You will find these beautiful displays in our fiesta section, which pairs nicely with our general nativity coloring pages.

When coloring the food displays, use warm earthy tones for the clay pots and bright reds for the seasonal poinsettias decorating the tables. The feast typically includes several staples:

• Warm cups of ponche navideno, a traditional fruit punch made with tejocotes, guava, and cinnamon.
• Crispy, sweet buñuelos dusted with cinnamon sugar.
• Tamales shared among family and neighbors during the late-night gathering.