In a show of cultural awareness and a healthy appreciation for holiday festivities, Long Beach Councilmember Roberto Uranga revealed he will be hosting the Seventh District’s inaugural Posada Navideña this Saturday, December 19 from 7:00PM to 9:00PM on Daisy Avenue/Christmas Tree Lane, intersecting with West 20th Street.

Posada Navideña is celebrated across Latin American countries as a celebration leading up to Christmas Day. While rooted in Catholic tradition, the festivity is celebrated by most individuals across Latin America, regardless of their religious affiliation. Posada is Spanish for “lodging” and Navideña is Spanish for Christmas.

“Las Posadas are [traditionally] a nine-day celebration leading up to Christmas Day. Enjoyed by many Latinos across Latinoamerica, this cultural festival, of sorts, is enjoyed by both religious and non-religious individuals,” said Uranga in a statement. “The focus of the inaugural Posada Navideña will be, first and foremost, bringing community together to enjoy the sights, sounds, and tastes of this beautiful tradition!”

Centered around bringing the community together and cultural awareness, Uranga’s Posada Navideña will consist of a hearty gathering with a procession, bilingual sing-alongs, traditional drink and appetizers and a performance by Mariachi Los Amigos.

Officially, the event is hosted by Councilmember Uranga, Semillas de Esperanza, a West Long Beach neighborhood group comprised of Latino families, and the Wrigley Area Neighborhood Alliance, a local neighborhood group that helps organize the Daisy Lane Parade.

For more information, visit the Facebook page for the event, here. 

This story was updated on Friday, December 18 with the time of the event.

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