Holiday singers stroll through Santa Barbara to celebrate Una Noche de Las Posadas

SANTA BARBARA, Calif. - A special holiday tradition sent a large crowd singing and strolling through Santa Barbara’s streets on Friday night.

Una Noche de Las Posadas recreates Mary and Joseph’s search for shelter in Bethlehem. It began hundreds of years ago when Mexican and Spanish settlers lived in California. The word “posadas” means “inns” or “shelter” in Spanish.

Santa Barbara held its version of the event for the 29th time. Friday’s group of more than 200 people first filled the Presidio chapel, where a choir led them in traditional Christmas songs in Spanish. Children dressed as Joseph, Mary and the Angel led the group out of the chapel and onto the streets, where they continued to sing.

The group walked down State Street and through De La Guerra Plaza before ending the walk at Casa De La Guerra. 

“It’s Christmastime,” said Esteban Vega of Santa Barbara Trust for Historic Preservation. “People are getting off work and getting into the spirit of the holidays with their families. So this a good event to have more a family tradition… and in the end, celebrate Christmas.”

Lorraine Bonner was visiting Santa Barbara from Orange County, and was happy she took the time to join the celebration.

“The singing, the story, the whole event was so down to earth and lovely,” she said. “I enjoyed it a lot.”