Las Posadas, a Christmas-time tradition, has taken place in Mission San Jose since 1982. This annual community event is a collaboration between Old Mission San Jose which arranges the host venues, and Fremont Cultural Arts Council which provides the entertainment and is sponsored by the Mission San Jose Chamber of Commerce.
The nine-day festival has been celebrated locally for the past 42 years. Las Posadas, which has always been held in-person, survived as a zoom event with entertainment by actors and singers who live or work in Fremont during the pandemic years. This year, all the evenings will be held in person.
Knuti VanHoven, who has been instrumental in organizing the entertainment said, “Fremont is a city that has very few well known traditions. Las Posadas has been around for more than forty years and many artists have been performing for over twenty years. Kristen Del Rio did her first Las Posadas at the age of twelve and is performing on the second night this year. Jim Burris and Ahhhz have been doing their shows for over twenty four years. It is a very local event that we all look forward to every year.”
Nancy and Gary Dorighi, Mission volunteers, have helped to coordinate and conduct this event over the past few years. Mission San Jose was founded on June 11, 1797 by Father Fermin Francisco de Lasuen. Dedicated to St. Joseph, the mission honors the saint as guardian of the Holy Family starting with their journey to Bethlehem. It is the fourteenth of the 21st Spanish Missions in Alta California. Before it was Mission San Jose, the site was the Ohlone Village of Oroysom.
The culture, language and the spirit of the Ohlones are present today in their descendants. Today, many new cultures and languages contribute to the diverse Fremont community. Nancy Dorighi said, “We are gratified to see participation grow in recent years. Beyond the commercial side of Christmas, it is heartwarming that people enjoy singing the traditional carols and the varied entertainment. We are grateful to all the volunteers who organize, host and entertain.”
For nine evenings, from Dec. 15 thru 23, participants meet on the porch of the Old Mission San Jose Museum and walk in a procession to a local business or site within two blocks singing Christmas carols as they go. A family is selected every night to carry the hand-carved statue of Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus to the selected venue. Once they arrive, they ask for shelter while the host turns them away, but eventually welcomes them in. A unique entertainment program lasting 30 to 45 minutes is arranged there by Fremont Cultural Arts Council, and the evening ends with refreshments provided by the host business. On the final night, Mission San Jose invites everyone to the Old Mission Church to enjoy a program of Christmas carols performed live on their Rosales organ, followed by a pinata on the Museum porch for the children. Las Posadas participants will be impressed by the beautiful interior of the Mission Church which was patterned after the early 1800s adobe church. Equally impressive is how the space enriches the music.
Celebrate the holiday season in a special way by participating in the Las Posadas festivities in the heart of Fremont.
Las Posadas
Sunday, Dec. 15 – Monday, Dec. 23
6pm
Mission San Jose Museum
43300 Mission Blvd., Fremont
missionsanjose.org/las-posadas
www.fremontculturalartscouncil.org
Las Posadas 2024 Program
1. Dec. 15 – The Peak Performers of Mission Peak Unitarian Universalist Congregation directed by Von Bringhurst present “Songs of the Season of Light and Life,” at Holy Family Sisters, 211 Avenida Palmdale.
2. Dec. 16 – Kristen Del Rio sings Christmas songs in the beautiful Mission San Jose Church, 43266 Mission Blvd.
3. Dec. 17 – Palm Hill Bell Choir of the First United Methodist Church of Fremont, directed by Roberta Marton at Better Homes & Gardens Realty, 43430 Mission Blvd #100
4. Dec. 18 – Dominican Sisters School of Music Students and Faculty at Dominican Center, 43326 Mission Circle
5. Dec. 19 – St. Joseph School Children’s Choir at St. Joseph School, 43222 Mission Blvd.
6. Dec. 20 – The Keatings present Songs of the Season at Venture Sotheby’s International Realty, 152 Anza St.
7. Dec. 21 – The Keatings present An Instrumental Christmas at Mission Barber. 43279 Mission Blvd.
8. Dec. 22 – Jim Burris and Ahhhz! present an a capella Christmas at Washington Township Museum of Local History, 190 Anza St.
9. Dec. 23 – Mission San Jose Church organist Ron McKean and vocalist Debbie Rossetto with traditional Christmas hymns. Followed by refreshments and pinata.
