Pecos National Historical Park, the Friends of Pecos National Historical Park and Western National Parks Association will host Las Posadas festivities on Monday, December 18th. The free event will begin at 5:00 p.m. with horse-drawn wagon rides.
The procession will begin at the remnants of the 18th century church and convento at 6:00 p.m. and wind down the trail to the visitor center with the group singing traditional hymns and holiday songs in both English and Spanish. More than 3,500 farolitos will illuminate the trail. Free hot beverages and biscochitos will be served at the Visitor Center following the procession. There will also be a festive piñata breaking for the children.
In Spanish, las posadas means “inns” or “shelters,” and represents the journey of Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem and their search for shelter. St. Anthony’s Parish in Pecos carries on this northern New Mexico tradition every December. Pecos National Historical Park will be just one stop during this novena, or nine-day event.
Superintendent Karl Cordova says that, “Keeping traditions alive for current and future generations is an important job of the National Park Service, and a fun one, too.”
Visitors should assemble at the church no later than 6:00 p.m. on Monday the 18th. For those who are interested, two horse-drawn wagons will be available to convey visitors from the visitor center to the procession site between 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Appropriate winter clothing and flashlights are highly recommended.
For more information, contact Pecos NHP at (505) 757-7241 or visit our website at www.nps.gov/peco. You will also find our listings on the New Mexico True website (newmexico.org) and Tourism Santa Fe (santafe.org). Please like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/PecosNHPnps or Instagram https://www.instagram.com/pecos_nps.
Becky Latanich
Chief of Interpretation and Education
Pecos National Historical Park
Friends of the Pecos National Historical Park 