Eyewitness News is celebrating with a look at one tradition that's been bringing people joy for centuries -- the piñata.
From animated films like "Coco" to Steve Martin in "Parenthood," the piñata always steals the scene.
But here in Los Angeles, it's not just a party tradition, it's a way of life.
The unofficial Piñata District is a neighborhood that's as vibrant as the traditions it keeps alive.
"They came with a dream to bring Mexico to our people," said Nini Santoyo, the manager of El Cora Productos.
Santoyo's family was one of the first to set up shop in the neighborhood more than 30 years ago.
"You think piñata, you think happiness, because it was the life of the party," Santoyo said.
The origin of the piñata dates back centuries, traced to China, Europe, the Aztecs and the Mayans. In many cases, they were imported from artisans in Mexico.
Part of the fun is breaking the piñata. In Mexico, the person taking their turn is blindfolded as the crowd sings a song.
It's not just candy that could be inside.
"It could be toys, it can be peanuts, it can be mandarins, it could be money, it could be anything you could possibly think of," said Veronica Alvarez, the manager of Party Time and Candies.
In the Piñata District, the piñatas are traditional, innovative, big and small.
"It's an art more than anything. Every single feature is primarily handmade. We can customize anything, anywhere from, you know, 12 inches up to we've done a 10-footer," Alvarez said.
Eyewitness News spoke to one mother who was on a mission to celebrate her soon-to-be 4-year-old son.
"I have to focus and go look for the perfect piñata for him. So I mean, even if I have to have it custom-made, I have to do it for him," Melody Angulo said.
The Piñata District reminds us that traditions are not just preserved, they're celebrated, shared and carried forward... one piñata at a time.
"It's really sweet when you see the parents telling their children, 'Oh, you know, we used to have these types of piñatas when we were little,'" Santoyo said.
"It's just something that it directly hits home to us being a part of this," Alvarez said.
Piñatas were traditionally made of clay. Today, they're largely made of cardboard and papier-mché.