What Day Is Christmas In Spain?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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In Spain, Christmas is celebrated on the

6th of January

.

What happens on the 22 of December in Spain?

This date marks

the winter solstice (shortest day)

and where it is celebrated involves people jumping through fires to protect themselves against illness. 22nd December – All over Spain people never stray far from a TV or radio as the Christmas lottery is drawn over a period of many hours.

What day do they celebrate Christmas in Spain?

Spanish holidays are a mixture of Christian and pagan traditions. According to Catholic tradition, Christmas is celebrated on

December 25

in honor of the day Jesus was born. December 31 is New Year's Eve, or Nochevieja in Spanish, the time to say goodbye to the year that's coming to an end and welcome the new year.

On what day do Spanish people have their main Christmas dinner?

Christmas food in Spain

We all know that Spain does great food, and at Christmas they have some great festive specialties. The main Crimbo meal normally takes place on

24th December, Christmas Eve

, and they eat the obligatory Serrano ham, but seafood and fish also play a big part in the menu, especially king prawns.

What are Christmas traditions in Spain?

Many people go to a

Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve

, known as La Misa Del Gallo (The Mass of the Rooster), because a rooster supposedly crowed the night Jesus was born. Many families also eat the main Spanish Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve (Nochebuena) just before or after Midnight Mass.

What is the word for Christmas Eve in Spain?


Nochebuena

(literally “the Good Night”) is a Spanish word referring to the night of Christmas Eve and celebrated on 24 December every year.

What do Spaniards eat for Christmas?

  • Entremeses. Entremeses are like an appetiser plate, and are often served at the start of the Christmas or Christmas Eve meal. …
  • Seafood. …
  • Cochinillo Asado. …
  • Lamb. …
  • Galets. …
  • Turrón. …
  • Polvorónes and Mantecados. …
  • Roscón de Reyes.

How long is Christmas break in Spain?

Spanish schools all have breaks of

around two weeks

for Christmas, one to two weeks for Easter and a longer summer , plus several national holiday days. On top of this, each region will have its own holiday days. Unlike many European countries, there are no half-term weeks off.

What is Santa called in Spain?

Spanish:

Papa Noel

(lit.

The man behind the Spanish name for Santa Claus is commonly known to give out presents on 24th December or 25th December (from Papa Noel), or on 6th January (from the Three Kings).

Who delivers Christmas presents in Spain?


It's the Three Kings, or Reyes Magos (Melchior, Gaspar and Baltazar)

, who bring children their gifts in Spain, not Santa Claus (although he is becoming more popular now, too), and on January 6, not Christmas Day.

How cold is it in Spain in December?

Spain will most definitely be cold during December. However, just how cold depends on the region in which you visit. You can expect Madrid to be particularly chilly with

highs around 50°F/10°C and lows in the high 30s (Fahrenheit)

.

What is the difference between Christmas in Spain and America?


Christmas in Spain is unlike Christmas in the United States

. The Christmas season runs much longer. While in the United States it ends on Christmas Day, in Spain it continues to January 6th, Three Kings Day.

Do Spanish have Christmas trees?

Christmas trees are

usually fir trees in the north of Spain and pine trees in the south

. Families take pleasure in decorating them together around mid-December. It is one of the places to be filled with presents of the Wise Men on Epiphany (Los Tres Reyes Magos).

What are some family traditions in Spain?

  • Copious meals during the holidays. We have a big dinner on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve and big lunch on Christmas Day and January 1. …
  • Twelve grapes. …
  • Children wait for The Three Wise Men. …
  • Games. …
  • Meal times & food.

Who is the gift giver in Spain?

Nation Old man Slovenia Miklavž (St Nicholas), Dedek Mraz (Grandpa Frost), Božiček (Santa Claus) South Africa Sinterklaas, Father Christmas, Santa Claus Spain

Papá Noel

(Father Christmas); Olentzero in the Basque Country; Apalpador in some areas of Galicia
Sri Lanka Naththal Seeya

How does Spain celebrate Epiphany?

Epiphany is celebrated around the world, but in Spain it takes on somewhat more importance. …

Children follow the kings through the streets on Epiphany Eve

. There are numerous parades across the country, accompanied by bands and people in medieval dress banging drums and dancing puppets and clowns.

Maria Kunar
Author
Maria Kunar
Maria is a cultural enthusiast and expert on holiday traditions. With a focus on the cultural significance of celebrations, Maria has written several blogs on the history of holidays and has been featured in various cultural publications. Maria's knowledge of traditions will help you appreciate the meaning behind celebrations.