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10 Spanish Christmas traditions everyone should experience at least once
Discover 10 Spanish Christmas traditions everyone should experience! From impressive nativity scenes to lively parades and midnight feasts, explore the unique ways Spain celebrates the holidays.
When you envision spending Christmas in Spain, you might think, “It just won’t feel like a real Christmas.”
Sure, Spain’s winter weather can be milder than in many other European destinations, particularly in coastal and southern areas. But that doesn’t mean it’s any less festive than the rest of Europe. In fact, Christmas here is one of the most joyful, tradition-filled times of the year.
From lively parades to centuries-old rituals and midnight feasts, Spain embraces the holidays with a warmth that goes far beyond the weather.
What’s more, each region has its own customs, meaning Christmas in Northern Spain can look pretty different from Christmas in the south.
Here are 10 surprising Spanish Christmas traditions, foods, and iconic celebrations that might just inspire you to book a ticket and experience them for yourself.
1. El Gordo (Christmas Lottery)
One of Spain’s most popular Christmas traditions is the National Christmas Lottery, known as El Gordo. Every year, millions of people buy tickets, often sharing them with family, friends and colleagues.
The annual draw takes place on December 22nd and marks the start of the main Christmas celebrations. Families and friends often gather around the TV to watch pupils from Madrid’s San Ildefonso school sing out the winning numbers.
What makes El Gordo special is its large prize fund and the way winnings are spread across many ticket holders. The first prize is known as El Gordo, but the draw also includes thousands of other prizes.
2. Nochebuena (Christmas Eve)
Nochebuena, or Christmas Eve, is one of the most important family celebrations in Spain. On December 24th, families often gather for a late dinner that can last several hours.
The meal varies by region and household, but popular dishes include roast lamb, suckling pig, seafood and baked fish. Each part of the country has its own specialities and variations.
Discover more in our guide to traditional Spanish Christmas foods to explore the dishes commonly enjoyed during the festive season.
3. Pedir el aguinaldo (caroling)
One traditional Christmas custom in Spain is pedir el aguinaldo, which involves singing Christmas carols in exchange for small gifts, sweets, or money. Although less common today, the tradition was once popular in several regions, including Castilla, Extremadura and Galicia.
Children traditionally went from house to house singing villancicos (Christmas carols) and playing instruments such as the zambomba and pandereta (tambourine). In return, neighbours would offer them a little money or festive treats.
4. Día de Navidad (Christmas Day)
Christmas Day, or Día de Navidad, is another opportunity for families to spend time together. Some households enjoy a more relaxed meal using leftovers from Nochebuena, while others prepare another festive lunch.
Sharing platters of jamón ibérico and Manchego cheese are popular options, alongside traditional Christmas sweets such as turrón (almond nougat), mazapán (marzipan) and polvorones (crumbly almond biscuits).
If you’d like to discover more Spanish cuisine, explore our guide to the best foods in Spain.
Christmas Day is much more relaxed than Christmas Eve, and is generally about relaxation.
Rather than cook another meal from scratch, many families eat Nochebuena leftovers or whip up some sharing platters of Jamón ibérico and manchego cheese, two of the best foods in Spain!
It’s also common to indulge in festive sweets like turrón (almond nougat), mazapán, and polvorones (almond cookies).
5. Christmas gift-giving customs (the Three Wise Men and Papa Noel)
In the past, gifts from Santa Claus were not a tradition in Spain, but in recent years, it has become more popular. While Spanish children receive their main presents on January 6th (Los Reyes Magos), they might get a small gift on Christmas Day or Christmas Eve, depending on the family or the region.
What’s more, some regions have their fictional characters who bring gifts at Christmas, such as Olentzero in the Basque Country, who brings gifts to children on Christmas Eve.
6. Belenes (Nativity Scenes)
One of the most popular types of Christmas decorations you’ll see in Spain is belenes (nativity scenes). Homes, churches, and public spaces display scenes of traditional Nativity figures, and some are very detailed and impressive.
Many Spanish households set up their belenes during Advent and keep them on display throughout the Christmas season, often until January 6th. The tradition is also popular in public spaces, with cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, and Valencia displaying elaborate nativity scenes that attract
7. El Caganer (Catalonia Tradition)
Many regions have their own variations of belénes (nativity scenes), and some are truly weird and wacky.
For example, an old Catalan custom that is still popular today is ‘El Caganer,’ which translates to “the pooper.” As you might guess, this is a figure of a squatting person with their pants down, usually dressed as a peasant with a red Catalan cap.
Traditionally, the caganer is believed to symbolise fertility, prosperity and good fortune for the coming year. The figure is usually hidden somewhere in the nativity scene, adding a playful element to this distinctly Catalan Christmas custom.
8. Twelve grapes for New Year’s Eve (Las doce uvas de la suerte)
If you thought Spanish Christmas traditions were unique, wait until you hear about their New Year’s customs.
The most iconic ritual is to eat twelve grapes at midnight on New Year’s Eve, and no, it’s not because Spanish people love grapes. The grapes are believed to bring good luck to the coming year, and each grape represents a month.
As the clock chimes 12 times at midnight, Spaniards eat a grape on each chime to bring good fortune during each month. According to superstition, failing to finish all 12 grapes in time may bring bad luck.
9. Los Reyes Magos (Three Kings Day)
Unlike many parts of the world, the festive season does not end at New Year’s. In Spain, the holidays last two weeks, concluding on January 6th with Three Kings Day.
According to tradition, the Three Kings visit children during the night of January 5th, leaving presents for them to discover on the morning of January 6th. Children often leave their shoes out for the gifts and, in some households, prepare water or food for the Kings’ camels and refreshments for the visitors.
Children believe that the three kings will visit them early in the morning, so the night before, they leave out their shoes for the kings to fill with gifts. They also leave water and hay for the king’s camels, and turrón and wine for the Kings themselves. The tradition mirrors the way kids in the UK leave out stockings and mince pies for Santa!
10. Three Kings Parades (Cabalgatas)
The night before Three Kings Day (January 5th), many towns and cities have flamboyant street parades called cabalgatas. During these parades, the “Three Kings” ride on floats through the streets and plazas, throwing out candy to the crowds and greeting children.
January 5th is one of the most exciting nights of the festive season in Spain, with parades attracting large crowds of families and children. The Three Kings Parade in Alcoy, in Alicante province, is recognised as the oldest in Spain. It was first documented in 1866 and took its current form in 1885.
Meanwhile, Madrid hosts one of the country’s most spectacular parades, featuring elaborate floats, performers and a fireworks display. If you’re traveling in Spain during this time, it’s a festive event worth experiencing.
Experience Spain’s Christmas traditions firsthand with Holafly
Planning to experience Spain’s Christmas traditions in person? Don’t let expensive Spain roaming fees catch you by surprise during your festive getaway.
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Hi, I'm Mika, a South Korean writer living in the US. I cover travel and live events, focusing on the practical stuff that makes your trip smoother, whether you're navigating a new city or heading to a major international event.I'm also the founder of Search SEOul, South Korea's leading SEO conference, bringing together search marketing experts and speakers from around the world.
