Holiday Open House: Parrandas, Posadas y Tamales

Celebrate the season at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Latino with a Holiday Open House with activities for all ages.
About this Event

Celebrate the season at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Latino with a Holiday Open House featuring food, music, performances, and traditions that bring families and communities together. This will be the museum’s first public event in the historic building, which the Smithsonian is transforming into the American Latino Museum's permanent home.

Throughout the afternoon, visitors can sample a variety of tamales, learn about Latino holiday traditions, enjoy hands-on activities, and explore a museum pop-up experience for all ages.

In conjunction with the launch of the American Latino Museum’s Please Pass the Tamales book with Crown Random House, the event will feature live cooking demonstrations, chef-led conversations, and a communal tamalada—a gathering to make tamales—showcasing six tamale recipes inspired by the book’s final scene.

The afternoon will continue with lively parranda and posada festivities, featuring music, processions, and holiday traditions rooted in gatherings observed across Latino communities.

Accessibility: If you need assistance, such as ASL interpretation, please email [email protected] with your name, the program date, and your request; the museum will respond with further information. Please provide at least two weeks’ notice when possible.

Closed for Transformation: The building remains closed to regular public visitation while planning and transformation work continue for the National Museum of the American Latino. Building access is limited to scheduled special events.

Please note: By registering for this program, you will be subscribed to receive email newsletters and updates from the National Museum of the American Latino. You may unsubscribe at any time.