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Sweet Sixteen, Bat Mitzvah, and the beloved Quinceañera. Coming of age traditions are common all over the world.

Almost as important as a wedding, a Quinceañera is a popular Latin American tradition that emphasizes family, religion and societal introduction into the world. At its core, it is a birthday party celebrating a girl turning 15 and becoming a woman.

On the day of the Quinceañera, there is a large celebration often including a choreographed dance, food and as much family as possible. The celebration may begin with mass or a service, then transition to a party where the Quinceañera is accompanied by her court of damas, girls, and chambelánes, boys. They perform a dance. After the celebration, it becomes an open dance floor allowing the family to talk to the Quinceañera and give her gifts and blessings.