Which Latin American coming-of-age celebration is commonly called a quince?

The Latin American coming-of-age celebration commonly called a quince is a quinceañera.

Quince is an informal shortened name for the larger celebration, especially in Mexican and Mexican American communities. The full term quinceañera can identify both the celebrant and the event, while quince usually emphasizes the party itself. Other names include quince años and fiesta de quince años.

A typical quince may combine a formal entrance, a special dress, a court of honor, choreographed dances, family speeches, and a reception. Some families also include a Catholic Mass or blessing. These components are customary rather than mandatory, so a quince can look different from one community to another.

The term should not be confused with Carnaval, a festival associated with public processions and pre-Lenten celebrations, or with a posada, a Christmas-season observance. “Quince” specifically points to the fifteenth-birthday tradition and its associated coming-of-age symbolism.