How do you say "Merry Christmas" in Mexico?

In Mexico, “Merry Christmas” is commonly said as “Feliz Navidad.” The phrase is Spanish: “feliz” means “happy” or “merry,” while “Navidad” means “Christmas.” It is the standard seasonal greeting used in Mexico and throughout much of the Spanish-speaking world.

Christmas is widely celebrated in Mexico with a blend of Catholic traditions, family gatherings, music, food, and regional customs. The holiday season often begins with Las Posadas, observed from December 16 through December 24. These gatherings commemorate Mary and Joseph’s search for lodging before Jesus’s birth and commonly include processions, songs, prayers, food, and piñatas.

A common mix-up is assuming that “Feliz Navidad” is only the title of the famous José Feliciano song. The song helped make the phrase internationally familiar, but the expression was already an ordinary Spanish Christmas greeting. Depending on context, speakers may also say “Felices fiestas,” meaning “Happy holidays,” especially when referring to the broader festive season rather than Christmas Day alone.