Las Mañanitas (celebration) facts for kids

Las Mañanitas is a special yearly event in Ponce, Puerto Rico. It celebrates Our Lady of Guadalupe, who is an important figure in the Catholic faith. This event happens every year on December 12th.

The celebration starts very early in the morning, before the sun comes up. People gather for a parade, then attend a Catholic Mass (a church service). After the Mass, the city government hosts a free breakfast for everyone. Over 10,000 people usually come to Las Mañanitas, including important religious and community leaders. It's a big tradition supported by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Ponce.

In 2020, because of the coronavirus, the event changed a bit. Instead of a parade, the church service was shown on TV. This allowed people to celebrate Las Mañanitas safely from their homes.

History of Las Mañanitas

The Las Mañanitas celebration began in 1964. No one is completely sure how it started. Some people say it was created by engineers from Mexico who were living in Ponce. Others believe it was started by people from Extremadura, a region in Spain.

During the celebration, everyone sings the traditional "Las Mañanitas" song together. Mexican mariachi bands play music in the background, making the atmosphere lively. After the church service, the city of Ponce gives out a free breakfast. This happens at the historic Ponce City Hall.

Where the Celebration Happens

The pre-dawn festival and parade begin at Parque del Tricentenario. The parade then moves along Calle Isabel. It finishes at the Catedral de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe. This cathedral is located in Plaza Las Delicias in downtown Ponce.

Who Attends and What it Costs

More than 10,000 people attend this early morning event. This includes city mayors and other well-known community members. In 2016, the cost for the city to put on Las Mañanitas was about $30,000. This cost also included lighting the City Hall Christmas decorations and starting the city's annual patron saint festivals.

Event Schedule

Las Mañanitas takes place every year on December 12th. The celebration starts very early, at 4:00 AM. After the religious Mass, the city of Ponce offers a free breakfast. This breakfast is held at the historic Ponce City Hall. Mariachi bands continue to play music while people enjoy their meal.

Sometimes, the city of Ponce has scheduled the Ponce Marathon on the same day as Las Mañanitas. Marathon runners start their race early, around 5:00 AM. They usually finish their run just after the Catholic Mass ends. This means they complete the race while the public breakfast is happening.

See also

• Bienal de Arte de Ponce
• Carnaval de Ponce
• Carnaval de Vejigantes
• Día Mundial de Ponce
• Feria de Artesanías de Ponce
• Festival de Bomba y Plena de San Antón
• Festival Nacional Afrocaribeño
• Festival Nacional de la Quenepa
• Fiesta Nacional de la Danza
• Ponce Jazz Festival