Las Posadas, a holiday tradition, has taken place in Mission San Jose since 1982. This annual holiday community event is a collaboration between Old Mission San Jose that arranges the host venues and Fremont Cultural Arts Council which provides the entertainment. The nine-day festival, which runs from Dec. 15 to 23, has been celebrated locally for over four decades.
“Las Posadas has been around for 43 years and many artists like Kristen Del Rio, Jim Burris and Ahhhz have been performing for over 20 years,” said Knuti VanHoven, who has been organizing the entertainment for the past few years. “It’s a wonderful Fremont event that we all look forward to celebrating every year.”
Juancarlos Martinez hosted Las Posadas the last few years at his antique barber shop until a car crash destroyed it. Now, one year later, he’s hosting again at his new location, Mission Barber at the former Mission Coffee, re-branding it as a combination barber and coffee shop.
“I want to thank our friends and neighbors who’ve seen us through rebuilding and relocating,” he said. “With entertainment by Dixie By The Bay, this is sure to be a terrific evening.”
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. It was dedicated to St. Joseph, honoring him as guardian of the Holy Family starting with their journey to Bethlehem. It is the 14th of the 21 Spanish Missions in Alta California.
Before it was Mission San Jose, it was the Ohlone Village of Oroysom. The culture, language and the spirit of the Ohlones are present even today in their descendants. According to Nancy Dorighi, the tradition of Las Posadas comes from Latin American culture and means “lodging.” It refers to the inn where Mary and Joseph sought shelter in the Nativity story. Many new cultures and languages contribute to the diverse Fremont community now.
Participants will meet on the porch of the Old Mission San Jose Museum nine evenings, from Dec. 15 through 23, and go in a procession to a local business or site nearby singing Christmas carols as they go. Each night, a family is selected to carry the hand-carved statue of Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus to the selected place.
Once they arrive there, they ask for shelter, the host turns them away, but eventually relents and lets them in. An entertainment program lasting 30 to 45 minutes is arranged there by Fremont Cultural Arts Council and the evening is concluded with refreshments provided by the host business.
Mission San Jose invites everyone to the Old Mission Church on the last day to enjoy a program of Christmas carols performed live on their Rosales organ, followed by a pinata on the museum porch for the children. Visitors will be impressed by the beautiful interior of the Mission Church, which was patterned after the early 1800s adobe church and how the space enriches the music.
Participants are requested to gather at 6pm on the Mission San Jose Museum porch wearing warm clothing and carrying a flashlight to read the music. Celebrate the holiday season in a special way by participating in the Las Posadas festivities in the heart of Fremont.
Los Posadas is sponsored by the Mission San Jose Chamber of Commerce.
Las Posadas 2025 Program:
1. Dec. 15 – Kristen Del Rio, Christmas songs at Mission San Jose Church
2. Dec. 16 – Palm Hill Bell Choir at Better Homes & Gardens Realty
3. Dec. 17 – Dominican Sisters School of Music Students and Faculty at Dominican Center
4. Dec. 18 – St. Joseph School Children’s Choir at St. Joseph School
5. Dec. 19 – Santa’s Tallest Elves featuring Keating Family at Washington Township Museum of Local History
6. Dec. 20 – Dixie By The Bay, Christmas Jazz at Mission Barber
7. Dec. 21 – Jim Burris and Ahhhz!, a capella at Olive Hyde Gallery
8. Dec. 22 – The Peak Performers Choir, directed by Von Bringhurst at Holy Sisters
9. Dec. 23 – Mission San Jose Church organist Ron McKean and vocalist Debbie Rossetto, traditional Christmas hymns
Las Posadas
Monday, Dec. 15 – Tuesday, Dec. 23
Gathering time: 6pm
Mission San Jose Museum
43300 Mission Blvd., Fremont
missionsanjose.org/las-posadas
