The annual candle-lit procession of Las Posadas travels around the Santa Fe Plaza and concludes in the Palace Courtyard. This version of an old Hispanic tradition recreates Mary and Joseph’s search for a place to give birth to the Baby Jesus – and throws in a few devils for good measure. Stay for carols in the Palace Courtyard, along with cookies and refreshments. Free and open to the public.
The event began in the early 1970s as a small celebration in the San Antonio neighborhood near Acequia Madre and Paseo de Peralta. Residents who had successfully defeated a development project held their version of a traditional Hispanic novena—one that’s still practiced in communities throughout New Mexico over nine nights’ time. By the early 1980s, the event had grown beyond the capacity of the neighborhood’s narrow streets, and the Palace of the Governors took it over.
Since then, it has attracted thousands of visitors, some of them out-of-staters who schedule their New Mexico vacation based on its timing. Actors and a choir from the Holy Cross Church in Santa Cruz will once again lead this year’s event, joined by the Coro de Agua Fria.
“We hope everyone joins us in celebrating not just the holidays but the sense of community that they foster,” museum Director Frances Levine said.
Hints from Santa’s elves:
1. The New Mexico History Museum and Palace of the Governors will close at 3 pm on December 13 and 15 to give staff and volunteers time to prepare for these events.
2. Las Posadas requires street closures within the Plaza area, so give yourself extra time to find a parking spot.
MORE HOLIDAY EVENTS
Christmas at the Palace
Friday, Dec. 13, 5:30-7 pm.
Young Native Artists Show & Sale
Saturday, Dec. 14, 10 am–4 pm and Sunday, Dec. 15, 10 am–3 pm, classroom and Meem Community Room
These events are made possible by the generous contributions of the Plaza Café; Cowboys and Indians Santa Fe; Charles D. Batts; Shiprock Santa Fe; The Shop A Christmas Store; American Tent Rentals; Holy Cross Church in Santa Cruz; Coro de Agua Fria; and the Los Capitanes and Las Compadres del Palacio support groups of the museum.
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