Our Ultimate Guide to Christmas in Spain

Dear Nicholas,

If you’ve been around for a while, you know we’ve shared many articles over the years about the holiday season and Christmas celebrations here in Spain. However, never before have we compiled all of those insights into one easy-to-find guide…until now!

This month’s post is a handy tool for anyone looking to understand the basics of what this time of year in Spain is all about. We have tried to order them chronologically in terms of what you might encounter from the start of December through to January. If you find yourself particularly interested in a certain topic, be sure to follow the link through to the full post on that subject.

Of course, let us know if you feel something is missing in this guide to navidad and we will do our best to update it in the years to come!

Snapshots of Spain at Christmas

First things first, what can you expect Spain to look like at Christmas time? Well, from early December through early January, you can find pretty much every city, town, and pueblo to be decked out in Christmas lights. Additionally, it’s common to find Christmas trees that are more like cone-shaped light displays, nativity scenes, and the Three Kings. Curious to see some examples? This post is full of photos and more details about Christmas pasts in Granada.

Nativity Scenes (Belenes)

As a traditionally Catholic country, Spain leans into the biblical roots of the holiday season and it is very common to find at least one nativity scene, known as belén in Spanish, on your walk around town. In fact, you’re likely to find these scenes all over the place–main square, stores, restaurants, and in people’s homes. What’s always interesting to us as foreigners is that Spanish nativity scenes tend to have far more pieces than simply Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus. Check out this article to learn about some other traditional players in the Spanish belén.

Christmas Sweets (Mantecados y Polvorones)

While a section below will discuss the typical food served at Christmas dinner, many sweets make a special appearance all throughout Christmastime in Spain. Among the ever-present chocolate and turrón, the unique treats of mantecados and polvorones become available at stores and specialty shops this time of year. These Christmas sweets have a surprising consistency and are, in our opinion, surprisingly delicious. Learn more about the history and differences between the two in the full post.

Christmas Lunch / Dinner with Friends

The tradition of going out to eat with a big group of friends or colleagues is another rather important part of the Christmas season, which will have an impact on your restaurant-going experience in December. Because of the popularity of this sort of outing, you may find it difficult to get a table without a reservation and it will often not be possible to order off the usual menu because most restaurants have set menú de navidad (generally a multi-course or family-style meal, sometimes with drinks included). Learn more about the tradition here.

The Christmas Lottery (La Lotería de Navidad)

What you may not have expected is that an important aspect of the holiday season in Spain is the big lottery / raffle known colloquially as El Gordo. The lotería is drawn on December 22 and you can expect pretty much every Spanish family to tune into the TV broadcast of the drawing. This particular lottery is a bit different than most that you may be familiar with and the nature of it really has a sense of bringing together the community. It’s hard to explain succinctly, so please check out the full post where we include some commercials for the lotería de navidad that really convey the feeling of it all.

Christmas Eve (Nochebuena)

Something that may or may not feel normal to you is that the most important day of Christmas in Spain is December 24th, rather than December 25th. Known as Nochebuena, this is the night that the Christmas season really kicks into full force and you can find most Spaniards spending this evening with their families for a long, multi-course meal (as described below). Many will round off the night by attending a midnight mass. For more insights on this tradition and ideas for what to do if you find yourself in Spain on Nochebuena, read the full article.

Spanish Christmas Food

And what does Christmas in Spain taste like, you ask? It’s important to remember that, although we tend to talk about Spain as a whole on this blog, the truth is that it’s a pretty diverse country and every region–every family, even–will have their own specialties that they view as essential to the Christmas menu. What remains true across all Spanish families that we know is that the main Christmas meal is a filling multi-course experience! You can expect to start with appetizers like ham, cheeses, and olives, followed by a soup or stew, then fish, seafood, and/or meat dishes. And, of course, you can expect to be served some wine or cava too. Check out this post for more details.

Catalán Christmas

Speaking of different regions having their own traditions, Cataluña in particular has their own way of doing Christmas. Interestingly, both of the Catalán traditions we have experienced have to do with pooping! First, you have the Tió Nadal, which is essentially a Christmas log decoration that families in Cataluña have that “poops” presents. Secondly, you have the Caganer, which is a pooping man that is added to Catalán nativity scenes. Feel like you need to know more? We’ve got a post for that.

The Three Kings (Los Reyes Magos)

One of the ways Spain’s Catholic roots strongly shine through is at Christmastime with their emphasis on the Reyes Magos or the Three Kings (Three Wisemen) who are known for bringing gifts to baby Jesus. You can find the Three Kings all around town in decorations, nativity scenes, and even at shopping malls and other gatherings where children can meet them, share their Christmas wishes, and get a picture with their favorite king. Learn more here.

The Importance of January 6th (Día de Reyes)

For those who love to celebrate Christmas for weeks on end, you’re in luck because the holiday season in Spain officially continues through January 6th! Since the Reyes Magos are so important here in Spain, the feast of the Three Kings, known as Día de los Reyes, is a national holiday. This day is often considered the most important by children as it is when the Three Kings bring them their Christmas presents. You can expect to see some parades featuring the kings on this day, learn more from the full post.

Three Kings Cake (Roscón de Reyes)

A final tradition attached to the celebration of the Three Kings is the roscón de reyes, a special cake that is only available at this time of year. This cake looks a bit like a huge bagel, topped with candied fruit and filled with whip cream or chocolate. There are often small objects baked inside the cake, signifying different things for the person who happens to get them in their serving of the roscón de reyes. Read more about that tradition here.

Integrating the Holiday Season into Travel Plans

Finally, it’s important to note that things will work a bit differently in Spain during the holidays. Tourist attractions tend to be busier, opening hours more limited, and transportation pricing more expensive. Much of this, you would expect anywhere but there are some specifics unique to Spain’s culture to have in mind, check those out here.

We hope this guide to Christmas in Spain helps you feel more familiar with the holiday season and everything you can expect when living in or visiting Spain at this time of year. Please let us know your thoughts and if you have any questions we could clear up.

¡Feliz navidad!

Sincerely,
Spain