Participate in one of Santa Barbara’s oldest Christmas traditions as the Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation (SBTHP) presents the 26th annual Una Noche de Las Posadas on Friday, December 16 at 7:00 PM. This free, family-friendly event begins at El Presidio de Santa Bárbara State Historic Park and concludes at Casa de la Guerra. Join in this rich cultural tradition and experience firsthand the way in which Santa Barbara’s earliest Spanish and Mexican residents gathered together and celebrated Christmas with music, food, and merriment.

Las Posadas (The Inns) commemorates Mary and Joseph’s journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem and their nine-day search for shelter as it was once celebrated in Early California. Una Noche de Las Posadas, a one-night version of the celebration, begins with traditional Spanish holiday songs performed in the candlelit Presidio Chapel by El Coro del Real Presidio de Santa Bárbara. Guests are invited to join the choir in a procession led by children portraying an angel, Joseph, and Mary, along with their small burro as they stroll and sing their way to State Street and into De la Guerra Plaza. The procession ends at Casa de la Guerra as Joseph and Mary finally find shelter and attendees enjoy more singing, traditional refreshments, and a piñata.

This holiday tradition was brought to Santa Barbara by its Spanish and Mexican settlers and is still observed throughout Latin America.

SBTHP thanks The Towbes Foundation, Debby and Roger Aceves, and Keith J. Mautino for sponsoring Una Noche de Las Posadas.