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 typically Spanish Christmas decorations, activities and New Year customs that may be a bit surprising to foreigners. So, how does Spain celebrate Christmas? We've put together some of the weirdest, wackiest and most typical Spanish Christmas traditions so that you can celebrate like a local.
What are the Christmas traditions in Spain? Find out with these 10 facts about Christmas 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 24th December and 6th January, you may need to know what Christmas is called in Spain. Spain truly comes alive to celebrate Christmas, 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 then it's 'Bon Nadal'
- in Galicia 'Bo Nadal'
- in the Basque Country the locals will say 'Eguberri on'.
There is no Santa Claus in Spain
Traditionally, there is no Santa Claus in Spain and 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.
But why does Spain celebrate Christmas on January 6th? The focus on January 6th rather than December 25th stems from the religious significance of the Epiphany, when the Three Kings visited the infant Jesus, symbolising the revelation of Christ to the world. This event became a major celebration in Spain, with gift-giving and festivities centred around that date.
The fat lottery
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
In Spain, the tradition of eating 12 grapes on New Year's Eve (Nochevieja) is a ritual to bring good luck for each month of the upcoming year. At midnight on December 31st, Spaniards eat one grape with each chime of the clock, symbolising prosperity and success.
The tradition began in the early 20th century, possibly as a marketing campaign by grape growers to sell surplus fruit. Over time, it became a widely celebrated custom. The event is especially popular in Madrid's Puerta del Sol, where thousands gather to participate, followed by fireworks and festive celebrations.
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 2025—just in case!
Christmas food in Spain
Spain is renowned for its delicious cuisine, and Christmas brings out some of the country's finest festive dishes. Traditional Spanish Christmas food is eaten throughout December, but the main festive meal typically takes place on Christmas Eve (Nochebuena), December 24th. While Serrano ham is a staple, seafood and fish play a significant role, with king prawns being especially popular—perhaps an unusual choice for some anglophone families.
For dessert, you'll find things like turrón, a sweet almond nougat, and the standout treat, the Roscón de Reyes, a bread-like cake sometimes filled with whipped cream and topped with candied fruits, traditionally eaten on 6th January. Inside, there’s a hidden figurine and a bean. Finding the figurine means wearing a crown, while the bean means buying next year's roscón!
Portal de Belén
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 these models of Bethlehem, scenes which use small 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 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 Claus who 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 UK and 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 you know how Christmas is celebrated in Spain, there's nothing stopping you from embracing these celebrations in true Spanish style, no matter where you are spending Christmas this year. And if you want to experience the Spanish festive season at its finest, this is where to spend Christmas in Spain. Have a wonderful Spanish Christmas! ¡Feliz navidad!
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