Christmas really is the most wonderful time of the year. All around the world people celebrate the holiday and enjoy the festive period, and Spain is no different in that regard. However, Christmas and the New Year in Spain are are somewhat unique in many ways: here the locals have many of their own Spanish Christmas traditions, including typicallySpanish Christmas decorations, activities and New Year customsthat may be a bit surprising to foreigners. We've put together some of the weirdest, wackiest and most typical Spanish Christmas traditions.
- What is Christmas called in Spain?
- There is no Santa Claus in Spain
- The fat lottery
- Spaniards eat grapes to celebrate New Year
- Christmas food in Spain
- Portal de Belén
- The Caga Tió
- The Basque Santa Claus
- April Fools’ in December
- Midnight mass in Spain
What is Christmas called in Spain?
Before we get into the nitty gritty of the most wonderful Spanish Christmas traditions, most of which take place between 24thDecember and 6th January, you may need to know what Christmas is called in Spain.Spain trulycomes alive to celebrateChristmas, or "Navidad" in Spanish. However Spain's various regions with their own languages of course have their own ways of wishing a "Feliz Navidad";if you visit Catalonia thenit's 'Bon Nadal'; in Galicia'Bo Nadal'and in the Basque Country the locals will say 'Eguberri on'.
There is no Santa Claus in Spain
The 'Reyes Magos' are the central figures of gift-giving in Spain GTRES
Traditionally, there is noSanta Claus in Spainand Spanish people have never celebrated Father Christmas coming to town in December, although it is becoming more common. Instead, the presents are usually delivered to children on 6th January by the Reyes Magos, the Three Wise Men. This means Spanish typically kids have to wait a full twelve days more than most of us to receive their gifts, although nowadays this is starting to change, and many get Christmas presents on both Christmas Day and 6th January, which is the Feast of the Epiphany.
Moreover, on the evening of January 5th every year, the Reyes Magos (Three Wise Men) ride down the streets of every town, village, and city in Spain. They travel on impressive parade floats, tossing sweets and candy to the excited children below. This procession, called the 'cabalgata,' is a Spanish Christmas tradition that you absolutely shouldn't miss.
The fat lottery
Children call out the 'gordo' lottery numbers live on television GTRES
Almost every person in Spain takes part in the Christmas lottery, usually buying a fraction of a ticket and choosing the same numbers as their friends or colleagues. This unique Christmas lottery is known as 'El Gordo,' which means 'the fat one.' The winning numbers are usually revealed on live TV throughout the morning of December 22nd. Additionally, local school children sing the winning numbers and the jackpot amounts!
Spaniards eat grapes to celebrate New Year
The Spanish New Year tradition is to eat grapes Wikipedia
It's December, and everyone in Spain is getting ready to welcome the New Year. In Spanish households, people hold twelve grapes as the clock ticks down to midnight. Instead of cheering "Happy New Year!" and giving kisses, Spaniards aim to eat 12 grapes, one with each chime. The belief is that if you don't finish all twelve, you might have bad luck in the coming year. Whether you're superstitious or not, it's a good idea to gobble down those grapes for a bit of extra luck in 2024—just in case!
Christmas food in Spain
The Roscón de Reyes is the typical festive cake in Spain Wikipedia
We all know that Spain does great food, and at Christmas they have some great festive specialities. Traditional Spanish Christmas food is eaten throughout December, but the main Christmas meal normally takes place on 24th December, Christmas Eve, and while of course they eat the obligatory Serrano ham, seafood and fish also play a big part in the menu, especially king prawns,which might seem odd to some anglophones on the Christmas table.
For dessert, you'll find almond sweet turrón, similar to nougat. The star of the show is the Roscón de Reyes, a cake filled with whipped cream, topped with candied fruits, and with a hidden bean and figurine inside. People typically enjoy this on January 6th. If your slice has the little toy, you get the honor of wearing a crown. However, if your slice has a bean, be prepared to pay for next year's roscón!
Portal de Belén
Nativity scene set showing characters from the birth of Christ GTRES
The portal de Belén is a common Spanish Christmas decoration, with many shops, local councils and homes setting one up. But what is a portal de Belén? As Spain is traditionally a Catholic country, many believers choose to remember the original meaning of Christmas and display thesemodels of Bethlehem, scenes whichusesmall models and figures to represent the Nativity Scene of the birth of Jesus. It can be as simple as just Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus in his manger. However, many people go all out with huge and elaborate structures showing the desert, the town, the 3 Wise Men, shepherds, and even in some cases ‘caganer’, a tiny figurine of a guy pooping on the floor.
The 'caganer' is a staple of many nativity scenes Wikipedia
The Caga Tió
Christmas in Catalonia brings forth some unique traditions specific to the region. Among Spain's quirkiest Christmas customs found here is the peculiar scatological tradition of the 'Caga Tió,' translated as the pooing log. This log, adorned with a face and legs, is kept indoors or in the garden, snug under a blanket to avoid the cold. On Christmas Day, Catalan children take sticks to smack the log while singing a special song, urging it to produce sweets for them. Once the song concludes, they uncover the log to discover the candy and sweet treats they were hoping for!
The Basque Santa Claus
Meanwhile, Christmas in the Basque Country has its own version of Santa Clauswho only exists in that region. His name is Olentzero, and he’s a giant who dresses in peasant’s clothing, smokes a pipe, and on the night of 23rd December in Bilbao, he travels along the Gran Via towards the Arriaga Theatre, ready to leave presents for local children on Christmas Eve.
April Fools’ in December
Many cultures share the tradition of a day set aside for playing pranks and making jokes. While in the UKand many other cultures, we are used to having April Fools’ Day on 1st April, Spain is different and they do it on 28th December with the Día de los Santos Inocentes. Watch your back if you’re in Spain on this day, because you might be in for a surprise at any moment.
Midnight mass in Spain
The Wise Kings on the Epiphany, the Nativity scene, the Innocent Saints Day—these Spanish Christmas traditions have deep roots in the country's Catholic traditions. In Spain, a predominantly Catholic nation, it's a common practice for people to attend church on Christmas Eve after their grand Christmas dinner for the 'misa del gallo' at midnight. During this midnight mass, Spaniards renew their faith and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ on Christmas Day.
Now that you're familiar with the fantastic Christmas and New Year traditions in Spain, there's nothing stopping you from embracing these celebrations in true Spanish style, no matter where you are spending Christmas this year. Have a wonderful Spanish Christmas! ¡Feliz navidad!
