Celebrating joy and community: All the posadas and mercados happening in Phoenix

Tamales, pozole, villancicos, ponche and piñatas.

Posadas are a time-honored tradition in many Latino families and the many communities of Phoenix and Tucson know this to be true. It’s why so many organizations, institutions and neighborhood groups are hosting them as the year soon comes to an end.

Here’s a rundown of posadas, markets and other festive Latino events happening this week and next in the Phoenix and Tucson areas.

Notice an event missing? Let us know at arizona@calonews.com.

Friday, Dec. 19

Grant Park Barrio Youth Project Toy Drive in Phoenix

Accepting donations through Thursday, Dec. 18, the Grant Park Barrio Youth Project is calling on the community to donate toys for ages 3 to 16, which will then be distributed during the Celebración Navideña at Grant Park. Attendees will be able to obtain toys for their children, as well as receive free meals and turkeys.

Details: Dec. 19 from 6 to 8 p.m. at Grant Park, 701 S. 3rd Ave., Phoenix. For more information, call (602) 663-7868 or click here.

Mercado District Holiday Market in Tucson

Head to the Mercado District this weekend for the Holiday Bazaar, where some of Tucson's “finest makers and artists will be at this curated seasonal market." Enjoy food and drink offerings from local vendors, live music and DJs, a Winter Wonderland area with a photobooth, cookie decorating and more.

Details: Dec. 19 to 21 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at South Avenida del Convento. More information here.

Saturday, Dec. 20

Posada del Pueblo in south Phoenix

A gathering of all barrios and sponsored by Poder in Action and Carnicería Don Filo’s, Spaces of Opportunity is putting on a “decolonized posada rooted in community, culture, and collective power,” where attendees will enjoy free food, live music and danza from Grupo Corazón de Fuego Tlateyotl and community. Attendees are asked to bring a new, unwrapped toy to support Regalando Sonrisas, a “people-led toy drive for families navigating the immigration system.”

Details: Dec. 20 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Spaces of Opportunity, 1200 W. Vineyard Rd, Phoenix. More information here.

G.A.I.N. Event Navideño in west Phoenix

Organized by the Maryvale Block Watch, this Christmas celebration will include live music, food, and raffles for the whole family.

Details: Dec. 20 at 5 p.m. at Park Marivue, 5625 W. Osborn Rd., Phoenix. More information here.

Felices Fiestas Mercado in central Phoenix

Join Casa Caracol and its various small businesses — Palabras Bilingual Bookstore, Andria’s Tienda and more — for its last mercado of the year, where local community vendors offer art, food and raffle entries with every purchase.

Bring warm, gently used clothing to donate to Unsheltered Phoenix’s winter clothing drive.

Details: Dec. 20, from 6 to 9 p.m. at Casa Caracol, 906 W. Roosevelt St., Phoenix. More information here.

Jolly Tamale Car Show & Marketplace Festival in Glendale

Hosted by Intruders Car Club of Phoenix, Historic Downtown Glendale will glitter — along with its decorative Christmas lights — with lowriders and classic cars as they cruise along Glendale Avenue.

Families can try out some of the tamales that will participate in the tamal tasting competition, obtain a $10 Kids Zone wristband for all-day family fun and grab a photo with Santa Claus that evening. Cars, bikes and trucks can participate for $20.

Details: Dec. 20 from 5 to 10 p.m., at 7107 N. 57th Ave. (next to the Glendale Civic Center). More information here.

Tiankizco Cultural Market in downtown Phoenix

For its last market of the year, Tiankizco, the People's Marketplace, is opening up its space just in time for the community to support small vendors for the holiday. Buy those last-minute gifts, while enjoying some live music, grabbing some coffee and breakfast and staying for the free activities.

Details: Dec. 20 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 802 N. 7th St., Phoenix (corner of McKinley and 7th streets). More information here.

Zoe Foundation Toy Drive in central Phoenix

Hosted at the offices of the Consul General of Mexico in Phoenix, join various organizations, including the consulate, the Arizona Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Colados Coffee and Crepes and La Onda Radio, as they celebrate their traditional Festival Navideño with a toy drive for the entire family.

The festival will include gifts for children, free food and goody bags, as well as at-home meal kits for the holidays, and a resource fair centered in health, education and financial literacy.

Details: Dec. 20 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at 320 E. McDowell Rd., Phoenix. More information here.

Sana Landia Block Party in downtown Phoenix

Join the owners of Sana Sana Cerveceria off Roosevelt Row as they host their first-ever Christmas-themed block party, where they’ll turn their “little corner of downtown Phoenix into full holiday vibes.” Shop from over 30 local vendors, enjoy live art, take photos with Santa Claus and more.

Details: Dec 20 at 12 p.m. at Sana Sana Cerveceria, 915 N. 4th St., Phoenix. More information here.

Barrio Christmas in Tucson

Hosted by the people behind Barrio Restoration, Mariposa Park is set to celebrate Christmas in the barrio with tamales, hot cocoa and family fun. The first 50 children will receive a stocking filled with treats.

Details: Dec. 20 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at La Mariposa Park, 301 E. Aviation Dr., Tucson. More information here.

Southern Blends Toy Drive in South Tucson

“Santa’s cruisin’ into the barrio and Southern Blends is filling the bus with JOY!”

Come by and enjoy some hot cocoa, cookies and special visits from Santa Claus and the Grinch. Attendees are also invited to donate a gift to fill the bus at Southern Blends barber shop.

Details: Dec. 20 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 2980 S. 6th Ave. Ste 110, Tucson. More information here.

Sunday, Dec. 21

Malegría Sunday Mercadito in downtown Phoenix

Head over to Malegría’s last mercado of the year this Sunday for last-minute gifts. Shop local vendors and artists just off Historic Grande Avenue.

Details: Dec. 21 at Malegría Latin Café, 1031 Grand Ave., Phoenix. More information here.

Mariachi Sol de México at Merryachi Christmas in Scottsdale

Mariachi Sol de José Hernández will bring in the magic of Christmas during a performance at the  Virginia G. Piper Theater in Scottsdale.

Details: Dec. 21 at 6 p.m. at the Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts, 7380 E. 2nd St., Scottsdale. Tickets start at $51.10. More information here.

Puente Youth Christmas Toy Drive

Puente Youth Movement, an initiative of Puente Human Rights Movement, is partnering with Sana Sana Cerveceria to deliver toys to Phoenix families. People are asked to deliver new, unwrapped toys and gift cards to the brewery. They have until Dec. 21.

Details: Until Dec. 21 at Sana Sana Cerveceria, 915 N. 4th St., Phoenix. Toy distribution date and time not disclosed. More information here.

Tuesday, Dec. 23

The Grinch at Cielito Rosa Bakery in central Phoenix

Join the ladies at Cielito Rosa Bakery (Phoenix location) as they welcome the Grinch just days before Christmas. “Come with your family, bring your phone and enjoy a treat with us!”

Details: Dec. 23 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Cielito Rosa Bakery, 550 W. McDowell Rd., Phoenix. More information here.

Mariposas Sin Fronteras Winter Solstice Dinner in Tucson

Celebrate community and resilience with Mariposas Sin Fronteras as they bring in the winter solstice and open their space to LGBTQ+ individuals and migrants who may need connection and family this time of year.

Details: Dec. 23 at 5 p.m. More information here.

8th Annual Project Christmas in south Phoenix

It’s that time of the year again, when Que Suave Tacos, Phoenix Empact, various car clubs and the City of Phoenix come together to bring Christmas joy to the children of Phoenix. They are still accepting toy donations and sponsors. A date for the event has yet to be announced.

Details: Date to be announced. Call or text 602-575-0353 if you would like to become a sponsor or need a drop-off location. More information here.