Christmas is a time of traditions and let that be something the Spanish are very good at.

Below you will find a small list of some Christmas traditions that take place between Dec. 24 and Jan. 6 in Spain.

Yes, because in Spain the Christmas period lasts just a little longer, since the children do not receive their Christmas presents from the “Reyes Magos”  until January 6.

Everywhere you can find beautiful Christmas lights on Spanish streets the upcoming weeks before Christmas. Streets and shop windows are beautifully decorated with Christmas lights and ‘belenes’ or nativity scenes while carols resound everywhere. In many Spanish squares, life-size nativity scenes are set up where the Christmas story is re-enacted.

Christmas markets have also surged in Spain in recent years.

Traditionally, after the festivities surrounding the Día de Inmaculada Concepción on Dec. 8, Spaniards place their nativity scenes in the living room.

This is sometimes accompanied by the Christmas tree.

Most families have a fully furnished nativity scene, with animals, figurines of Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus surrounded by the Three Wise Men, various angels and shepherds.

Christmas traditionally begins on December 22 with the Christmas lottery called “El Gordo”which means “the big one”

The name refers to the huge sums won with this lottery which can be called perhaps the world’s largest. Traditionally, the children of the San Ildefonso school sing the winning numbers, after which all of Spain celebrates, at least if someone has won. All this beauty can be followed on television with the winners of the prize pool on full display.

Christmas Eve, Dec. 24

In Spain, Christmas Eve or “Nochebuena” plays the main role during the Christmas season.

This is a real family occasion for the Spanish.

Surrounded by delicious Spanish food and wines, families gather in homes to dine for hours.

Because of this, it will be difficult to find a restaurant or bar open on Christmas Eve…. A popular tradition on Christmas Eve is the singing of Christmas carols or “villancicos”. One of which we certainly all know: Feliz Navidad!

Traditionally, many Spanish families attend Misa  after Christmas dinner around midnight.

At the midnight mass, songs in honor of “el Niño Jesús” resound to the accompaniment of traditional instruments such as the “zambomba” (rumbling pot) and the “pandereta” (tambourine).

A typical Spanish Christmas dish?

Christmas eve is usually a assortment of “mariscos” or seafood, especially the “langostino” (lobster) and other traditional dishes.

What Spaniards certainly cannot miss at Christmas are the delicious Christmas sweets or “dulces navideños”. Popular among these are mazapan (marzipan) and turrón (nougat made from honey and almonds).

Christmas Day, December 25

Despite already celebrating Christmas Eve together with the family, on Christmas Day they reunite for a big lunch. This often consists of fish and shellfish, and ‘dulces’ also reappear on the table.

Although it is customary that presents for the children are not distributed until the three kings, more and more Spanish families celebrate the arrival of Papa Noel (Santa Claus) on Christmas Day.

Gifts are then laid out for each family member under the Christmas tree or next to the fireplace.

Families also gather again on New Year’s Eve for a grand dinner.

As in many other countries, New Year’s Eve is also televised here by the national channel TVE, during which traditionally the bells of Madrid’s Puerta del Sol resound.

A special and now well-known Spanish ritual around midnight is “las doce uvas de la suerte. The idea is that at each of the twelve chimes, a grape is eaten.

By eating these lucky grapes, one begins the new year well and is sure to experience an entire year of happiness!

Then the congratulations follow and the new year is ushered in with a good glass of cava or Spanish Champagne.

On January 1, a New Year’s eve is organised in many places.

The idea is to dive into the sea to start the new year with happiness. The Spanish New Year’s Plunge is held in many places along the Mediterranean coast and brings everyone together on the beach to kick off the New Year with happiness.

In Spain, the three kings is an important children’s festival! Gift time!

The Three Kings Melchior, Caspar and Balthasar are present, of course. Each throws loads of candy to the children from their festive wagon.

It is tradition that children say hello to the Three Kings and then also hand them their wish lists.

On January 6, it is finally time for the gifts to be given to the children. The Gifts are under the Christmas tree and with a little luck the children then find the gifts that were on their wish lists.

During this day it is also very common to see children on the streets trying out their new bikes, scooters, remote-controlled cars, soccer balls, etc. under the watchful eye of parents.

On this day, a Roscón de Reyes is also a must. A round cake, often filled with whipped cream, and containing two hidden gifts.

The first gift is a figurine which, if you find it in your piece of cake, ensures that you are king/queen on that day.

However, if you find the other gift in your piece of cake, you are condemned to buy the Roscón de Reyes next year.

So yes, it will be a busy time, but also always so enjoyable!

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