What kind of celebration is a quinceañera traditionally classified as?

A quinceañera is traditionally classified as a coming-of-age celebration.

It marks a girl’s transition from childhood toward young womanhood at age 15. The event often combines family ceremony, religious observance, formal clothing, music, dancing, and a large meal. Its emphasis is on a public family milestone rather than on completing school or entering marriage.

Descriptions sometimes call it a “Latin American sweet sixteen,” but that comparison can be misleading. A quinceañera has its own Spanish-speaking cultural and religious history, and its customs vary widely. It is also not a legal ceremony that changes a person’s civil status.