Christmas
By Fiona Flores Watson
Christmas is not Andalucia´s biggest religious celebration - Semana Santa has that distinction. But it is nonetheless a big deal, with all the seasonal ambience, lights, markets, special food and other trappings. Every school, shop, office and home has a Nativity Scene.
Traditionally, children received their presents at Dia de los Reyes Magos (Kings´ Day, 6 January), but these days many get theirs either at Christmas, or at both Christmas and Reyes, as foreign influence grows in Spain.
The big event in these parts is Christmas Eve (Nochebuena), rather than Christmas Day, when a full-on late-night family meal is likely to feature ham (of course - no Andalucian house is complete at Christmas without a pig leg sitting in the kitchen for some surreptitious snacking), cheese, seafood, and traditional seasonal Spanish pastries and sweets such as Roscos Navideños (donuts) and turron (almond nougat).
| Breakfast is a special occasion on the Three Kings day, January 6th with the Three Kings’ Cake ( Roscón de Reyes) |
Breakfast is a special occasion on the Three Kings day, January 6th with the Three Kings’ Cake ( Roscón de Reyes) the centre of attention.
| Spanish Christmas cookies |
The crumbly Christmas cookies collectively known as mantecados, which you will see in the months leading up to Christmas, individually wrapped and sold either by weight, or in a box, are made in a… More →
| The Belen Viviente of Arcos de la Frontera, a great family day out |
One of the most delightful features of Christmas in Andalucia are the belenes vivientes, or living (live) nativity scenes, where many of the townsfolk dress up as characters to take part, using… More →
| Christmas shopping until you are dropping in Andalucia |
An important part of the lead-up to Christmas for Andalucians involves one of their favourite pastimes - shopping. This isn't just about making purchases, whether gifts or food for one of the big… More →
| The Christmas Season in Andalucia |
The Christmas season in Andalucia starts much later than those from northern Europe and North America might expect. The smell of chestnuts roasting over fires tended by street vendors will begin… More →
| Christmas in Andalucia |
Christmas is not Andalucia´s biggest religious celebration - Semana Santa has that distinction. But it is nonetheless a big deal, with all the seasonal ambience, lights, markets, special food and… More →
| A zambomba is a drum like instrument that has a stick inserted through the skin, and the stick is moved up and down, creating the rhythm. Small cymbals are normally attached to the stick to give extra effect, and these zambombas would normally be made from an old paint tin or teracotta flower pot, with a membrane stretched over the top and a stick inserted through it. |
The villancicos are also known by the name of zambombas in Andalucía, a name which comes from the instrument that is traditionally used to accompany them. A zambomba is a drum like instrument that… More →
| Christmas Festivals in Andalucia |
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… More →
| The Day of the Three Kings ¡Feliz día de Reyes! |
There is quite a debate across Spain regarding whether Santa Claus is displacing the traditional Three Kings at Christmastime in Spain. The truth is that Santa Claus is becoming more and more… More →
| Christmas / Navidad |
Unlike most Spaniards, who focus their religious fervour on the Virgin Mary, the gypsies have always identified closely with Jesus, because, like them, he was a wanderer and had to rely on… More →
| The Verdiales celebrations, of dancing and singing can be thristy work © Michelle Chaplow |
December 28th, right smack in the middle of the Spanish Christmas season, we have the annual Verdiales competitions taking place right outside Málaga City. The festival will bring together… More →
| One of the most emblematic Christmas delicacies in Spain are the "polverones", "roscos" and "mantecados" |
Try some of these Spanish Christmas specialities this festive season. Christmas turkey and for dessert Polvorones, Roscos.
| Traditional Polverones from Estepa, Andalucia. This beautiful box contains individually wrapped polverones in thin delicate tissue paper |
Normally you will see this on sale in pastlerías (cake shops) as well as in supermarkets and smaller and specialist food shops. They are usually sold individually wrapped in thin tissue paper.… More →
| Roscos Navideños are an exclusive Andalusian speciality |
Roscos Navideños are an exclusive Andalusian specialty that is relished in homes across southern Spain during the Christmas season. You would be hard pressed to come by a recipe for this genuine… More →
| Traditional Spanish Christmas pastries (of the non-"turrón" type) add a special touch to the holidays with their own distinct flavours - and textures! |
Traditional Spanish Christmas pastries (of the non-"turrón" type) add a special touch to the holidays with their own distinct flavours - and textures! Here is a look at some of the most popular… More →
| Celebrate Christmas with delicious treats and a chilled glass of Cava |
In Andalusia, as in the rest of Spain, the feast of Christmas dinner takes place late on the night of Christmas Eve (Nochebuena) and normally goes on into the small hours of Christmas Day.… More →
| One of Andalucia´s most popular Christmas sweets, Almond turrón is an almond nougat made with local almonds and honey |
This traditional Christmas candy is becoming more common throughout the year as supermarkets offer it as a standard product. However, it is still associated with the Christmas season where it is… More →
| Baby Jesus from A Christmas nativity scene – or “Belén” (Spanish for Bethlehem). |
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| The nativity is often a surprisingly large collection of pieces that have been lovingly gathered over the years |
In Andalucia, as in the rest of Spain, there is a bit of a debate regarding how deeply foreign Christmas customs should be allowed to take root.
| 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 |
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.
As winter evenings draw in, the towns and villages of Andalucía once again burst into colour with the glow of Christmas lights. Across the region, from the snow-capped Sierras to the sun-warmed… More →
| The Spanish Día de los inocentes is similar to April's Fools Day |
In Spain, the equivalent of All Fools' Day is “Día de los Santos Inocentes”, which takes place in the middle of the long Christmas season (Spanish Navidad runs all the way through to 6 January,… More →
| An old vintage Spanish Christmas Stamp from 1977 |
If you've never spent Christmas in Andalucia before, then you're in for a treat. From the joyous musical specialities of the season, to festive decorations both traditional and contemporary, it is… More →
| The final touches of Berries and an Andalucia orange will make your Christmas turkey, extra special |
'Pavo Navideño' or Christmas Turkey, try this recipe for a christmas turkey in Andalucia. Whilst the Andalucia tradition is Seafood at christmas, turkey is becoming popular and is posible to… More →
