It honors the Virgin of Guadalupe, the patron saint of Mexico. Guadalupe Day is celebrated on December 12, when the Virgin is believed to have appeared as an Indian maiden on Tepeyac Hill in Mexico City. On the nine nights before Christmas, friends and neighbors gather and act out the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem. These nine ceremonies are called posadas. Each night after the posada, the children play the pinata game.
Pinatas are containers made of earthenware or papier-mache.
Many pinatas are shaped like animals and are filled with candy, fruit, and toys. A pinata is hung above the heads of the children. Then the youngsters are blindfolded and take turns trying to break the pinata with a stick. After it breaks, the children scramble to collect the scattered presents. Boys and men often can be found playing soccer or baseball on vacant lots, and many play on teams in amateur leagues.