If it’s Christmas in Mexico City, it must be at The Local Way. Celebrate with us the holidays like a local with these can’t-miss Mexican Christmas happenings.
Piñata, a multicolor feast
It’s so iconic that there’s not even a translation! The piñatas are a Mexican pride and the biggest attraction in the posadas –traditional celebrations before Christmas-. It’s hang up from a rope, and people strike it with a stick trying to break it till releases the fruit and sweets from its inside.
Sparklers!
There’s nothing better than sparkling things, isn’t it? As part of the Mexican custom, people go out to the streets, light the sparklers up and make figures up in the air with them.
Mexican Christmas punch
It’s like Christmas in a cup! Those chilly winter evenings are going to better with this popular hot beverage made with seasonal fruits, sugar cane, and cinnamon stick. The recipe is a classic, and it has lasted for generations.
Nochebuena flower
Christmas in Mexico is not complete without our traditional flower painting the avenues of red and decorating homes. We are so proud to be the country of origin of this ornamental plant!
Christmas carols
Get into a Christmas mood with music! Carols are popular songs with cheery rhythms and catchy lyrics. Once you listen to them, you can’t take them out of your head.
Listen to our playlist in Spotify:
The Local Tips -Christmas edition-
Check out these recommendations for experience the Christmas vibe outside your home.
City lights
The route begins in the avenue Eje Central, walk from there to the Zócalo on Madero street while admiring the lights and Christmas decorations at the exterior of historic buildings. Also, you can take a walk in Paseo de la Reforma, another main avenue, illuminated and decorated with Nochebuenas.
Little Christmas markets
Between multicolor piñatas, traditional decorations, the smell of the Mexican punch and the aroma of the Christmas trees, visiting the markets would be a vivid approach to Mexican culture. Our suggestion is the Lázaro Cárdenas market, located in the Del Valle neighborhood.
From the bacalao to the romeritos
Are you wondering about the Christmas Eve dinner? We have for you two awesome words: bacalao & romeritos. Keep reading.
The romeritos are an old recipe which honors Mexican culinary of our previous generations –grandmothers and great grandmothers-. The romerito is an edible plant served in mole sauce, with nopales and little shrimps. During holidays, many restaurants include it on their menu.
The bacalao is a culinary craft; a potent mix of fish, tomatoes, onions, potatoes, olives, capers, red bell peppers, spices, and aromatic herbs. The Mexican tradition dictates to eat it in a torta on Christmas and the days after that, what is known as recalentado (leftovers), when the flavors are more intense. Simply a delicatessen!
Our recommendation is the Tortería La Texcocana, a little but classic place. Since the 70s they prepare the best tortas in Downtown. Try one of bacalao and one more of carnitas (pork belly). Where? Independencia 87-A. Between Balderas and Revillagigedo. Downtown.
~
Written by Daniela Martínez
