Celebrate La Noche Latina in North London

For those who are a bit bored of the same old Christmas songs, the same decorations and predictable festive treats, the London-based charity Latin American House are throwing a Christmas event which is more about tequila than tinsel.

Children enjoy sweets from a pinata during a posada

Tonight La Noche Latina will celebrate Christmas the Mexican way with everything from piñatas to posadas.

For those who are not yet initiated in Mexican culture:

Piñatas are those brightly coloured papier-mâché objects with sweets and treats inside that are a must at every Mexican child’s birthday party. They are usually suspended in the air and only those who whack them hard enough are rewarded with the sugary contents.

Posadas are processions that recreate Mary and Joseph’s search for a place to stay in Bethlehem. In Mexico they are held on each of the nine nights leading up to Christmas, from December 16th to 24th. Sometimes the procession is candlelit with people carrying religious images and individuals are selected to play the parts of Mary and Joseph.

Don’t turn down a glass of ponche, a traditional Mexican punch which promises to warm you up on the most chilly of nights combining shots of brandy, rum and tequila.

The event will be hosted by Latin American House with Mestizo, a local restaurant and tequila bar and Flavours of Mexico, a non-profit company aiming to develop the interest in Mexican food in the UK.