A traditional quinceañera marks a girl’s 15th birthday.
The word quinceañera comes from Spanish quince, meaning “fifteen,” and is related to quince años, the phrase for the fifteenth birthday. The event combines a birthday celebration with a symbolic transition from childhood toward young womanhood.
Customs vary widely by country, family, religion, and budget. Some celebrations include a religious service, a formal entrance, a meal, dancing, and a court of attendants. Others are smaller family gatherings or modern parties without every traditional element.
The celebration is sometimes compared with a debutante ball, but it is not identical. A quinceañera is rooted especially in Latin American and Latino communities, and many families adapt the ceremony to local culture. The honoree may also be called a quinceañera, which can mean either the celebrant or the celebration depending on context.