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Baby Jesus from a Christmas nativity scene – or “Belén” (Spanish for Bethlehem).
By Brenda Padilla
Christmas brings great cheer across Spain as families prepare to spend the Season together over one elaborate meal after another. Every year Andalucia.com brings you a special look at Christmas and this year it no different.
Read on to discover all the great festivals and holidays of the Spanish Christmas season in addition to Spanish Christmas recipes and ideas for tracking down gifts “Made in Spain” and Andalucia-based charities that will welcome your goodwill at this time of year – and throughout the year as well!
Nativities Scenes
The nativity scene – or “Belén” (Spanish for Bethlehem) has special significance in Spain where organisations, groups of co-workers, families and students across the country work together to create elaborate re-creations of the scene of Jesus’ birth. Many public displays, contests and even “living nativities” are on all over the country in small villages and large cities. Ask your way to the nearest one. And read our account of Christmas in Andalucia to discover more about this and many other Spanish traditions at this time of year including links to worthy local causes that will appreciate your support.
Christmas Eve in Spain
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are generally celebrated as a family with one rich meal after another served from mid-day on Christmas Eve through late night Christmas Day. Again, learn about Spanish Christmas meals in detail in our article on Christmas in Andalucia. Here we’ll also point the way to gifts Made in Spain.
It is possible to dive in and do a little seasonal Spanish style cooking – if you have the right recipes. You can access a few Spanish Christmas recipes here at Andalucia.com. We even have a special contribution by one the mother of one of our Spanish staff members, a family recipe for making the famous “Roscos Navideños”.
One of the more vibrant Christmas celebrations in Spain takes place in the gypsy community – known for its passion, close family ties and wonderful musical traditions. Get the inside scoop on a genuine gypsy Christmas in our first hand report.
All Fools Day
In Spain, All Fools Day is known as “Día de los Santos Inocentes” and takes place right in the middle of the long Christmas season (which runs all the way through to January 7, the Epiphany). On December 28 it’s your turn to play your favourite jokes on friends and family!
Verdiales
Now this is something you probably won’t ever experience outside Spain. The Verdiales Festivals are something to see with bright costumes and lively Spanish folk music. Traditionally the contests take place on December 28. However, nowadays it’s possible to enjoy verdiales performances at some fairs and festivals throughout the year. Read a full report on Verdiales Festivals.
New Year’s Eve
Possibly you thought the Christmas season was over on New Year’s Eve, but in Spain this is just the mid-point of all the celebrating. In this country, the tradition is to have a rather late dinner with your family – just one more rich, elaborate dinner, of course, complete with all the pastries, dried fruits and nuts and mountains of turrón that finish every meal at this time of year.
Just before midnight, the ubiquitous television transports the whole of Spain to Madrid’s central Plaza Mayor where glitzy presenters are watching the clock and preparing to down their traditional 12 grapes. Have yours ready – some cheat by taking out the seeds or using the special canned variety on sale everywhere at this time of year – and down them one by one with the chimes of the clock. Eat them all without chocking to death and you’ve earned yourself a dose of good luck for the coming year!
After midnight the young and free head out into the night to celebrate into the early hours of dawn whereupon they return home to crash before – you guessed it – another huge family meal.
Epiphany – Los Reyes Magos
Just when you thought you couldn’t bear to think about Christmas until next year, everyone is out in the streets, packing the shops in search of gifts “from” the Three Kings (the three wise men). Read more about the Three Kings Celebration in Spain in this full report.
Remember, in Spain, Christmas is not for the faint of heart. This is a marathon. So brace yourself and:
¡Felices Fiestas!
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