Christmas in Spain: From Advent to New Year
Spanish Christmas is a colorful mosaic of traditions that surprises with its richness and diversity. Let's trace this time from the first Advent days to the New Year's celebration.
Beginning of December: Advent and preparations
December in Spain begins with Advent preparations. The streets of cities such as Alicante and Valencia are illuminated with Christmas lights, and houses are decorated with colorful decorations. The most characteristic decoration that you will see everywhere is the Portal de Belén - a traditional Christmas nativity scene. Every year, the Spanish buy new figurines and elements, creating more and more complex and detailed scenes. The attention to every detail and the passion with which they approach this custom make Belén's nativity scenes become real works of art!
December 22: El Gordo – Christmas lottery
December 22 is the day when the whole of Spain eagerly watches the drawing of El Gordo, the largest Christmas lottery in the country! It's an emotional moment that officially heralds the beginning of the holiday season. You can read more about this special event in our last article:
December 24: Christmas Eve
In Spain, Christmas Eve, called Noche Buena, is a real celebration of culinary experiences! The tables are filled with delicious seafood - gambas, langostinos, cigalas, as well as other sea delicacies that delight with both taste and appearance. There are also dishes for meat lovers: the base is lamb or traditional roasted piglet, known as cochinillo. And for those who prefer something more exquisite, beef tenderloin or bull tails appear on the table.
Christmas Eve cakes in Spain are true works of confectionery art. Instead of home-made baked goods, the tables are dominated by tronco de navidad - a roulade resembling a cut tree trunk. Intriguing sweets are also turrones and polvorones - almond products, which are the perfect ending to a Christmas feast.
Interestingly, Spanish Christmas carols, called villancicos, are often sung by children and the text itself is quite simple and infantile. Despite everything, they provide a joyful atmosphere and are an integral part of the Christmas tradition.
December 25: Christmas
Christmas Day in Spain is often spent away from home. Instead of preparing more dishes, families go to restaurants to enjoy time together - without having to spend hours in the kitchen.
December 28: Día de los Santos Inocentes
December 28 in Spain is celebrated as Día de los Santos Inocentes, a day of jokes and mischief. This is a time when, both in the media and in everyday life, Spaniards play little tricks on each other.
December 31: New Year's Eve – Nochevieja
New Year's Eve, or Nochevieja, in Spain is a time of unforgettable fun. The custom of eating grapes with each of the twelve strokes of the clock is a magical moment, and the joy of welcoming the New Year lasts until dawn.
January 6: Epiphany - Reyes Magos
Epiphany is the culmination of Spanish Christmas. It is on this day that children receive most of the gifts that are given on Christmas Eve in Poland. Importantly, the trinkets are brought by the Three Kings, not Santa Claus. Colorful parades, known as La Cabalgata de Reyes Magos, attract crowds to the streets and a joyful atmosphere fills towns and villages.
Summary
Spanish Christmas, full of colorful traditions, delicious dishes and a family atmosphere, is a unique experience that surprises with its diversity and cultural richness. If you dream of magical holidays - we invite you to book our charming apartments on the Costa Blanca!¡Feliz Navidad y nos vemos allí!🎄🌟🇪🇸
