Why is Christmas in Spain different?

Christmas is a very joyous time everywhere, a special period when families gather and celebrate together. In Spain, we love Christmas and have several traditions that only exist here. So, if you are ever in Spain during this memorable time, here is a short guide to fit in like a true Spaniard. This is why Christmas in Spain is different.

The lottery

Our Christmas starts every December 22nd when the magic happens. It is a crazy thing. On this day, everybody has the TV on or checks the phone now and then to verify whether the "gordo", the big prize, has been "sung". Most people have bought at the very least one ticket. And sure enough, by the end of the day, all the national media show videos of the happy winners celebrating with champagne. This lottery takes place at the Royal Theatre of Madrid since 1892. It was created in 1771 by Charles III to support the orphan children of the San Ildefonso School, who to this day "sing" the numbers yearly. Watch the video below to understand why we say "sing"...

Christmas with the family

By December 24th, everyone is home with their relatives to have dinner together. In most houses, you will find a shining Christmas tree and a crèche. Depending on the house, you can find very creative ones with running water and electricity. You can also find them in churches and streets. This tradition originated in Naples and came to Spain in the 18th century, brought again by Charles III, who had just been the king there. He must have liked Christmas a lot! 

Also, because we like to do things differently, if you are ever in Catalonia, Valencia, or the Balearic Islands, look carefully at the corners. You will see a little figure of a man, doing… how can I put it delicately… yes, a number two. It is called the “caganer” and is supposed to bring joy and good luck, so it cannot be forgotten when you create a crèche in these regions!

And of course, although it is not a typical Spanish thing, we have more and more Christmas markets every year, especially in Madrid, where you can find all kinds of local products, have hot chocolate with churros or attend Christmas concerts. Last but not least are the Christmas lights on the streets. My favourite ones are Málaga's. Do not miss their show in the city centre, especially at Larios St. It is simply a beauty! 

Innocents’ day

Going further on our Christmas holidays, we also have a special day on the 28th. This is the day of the innocent saints. It comes after the passage of the Bible saying how Herod, feeling threatened by the birth of baby Jesus, sent his soldiers to kill every recently born baby. Baby Jesus managed to escape with his parents, but according to tradition, many others died, and this feast honours them. However, although the theme is quite gloomy, we celebrate it differently. It is the day when all the jokes are allowed, and they even do really weird things in some places. For example, in Jalance, Valencia, it is like a Carnival, where everything is upside down (I have seen videos of them “hanging” the priest from a balcony, for instance). 

My favourite is this one. Although it looks like an episode of our civil war, it takes place in Ibi, Alicante. It is called “the day of the floured people”. The authorities face the “opposition”, who will try to take over their power, and they will all fight for it, throwing flour or other things at each other. 

Twelve grapes at New Year’s Eve

Now comes our most iconic tradition. On New Year’s Eve, everybody gathers in front of the TV to follow the twelve gongs of Puerta del Sol in Madrid. If you are lucky to be there at this time of the year, it is worth living this experience. There is even a song about it, and it plays every year. You can hear it in the video below. Also, you must have twelve grapes, one for each gong of the bell course. This is overly complicated. Someone always starts laughing, and then your mouth is full of half-eaten grapes, but you have to keep going because otherwise, you will not be lucky during the whole new year!

This tradition was very old in Madrid. The richest people used to celebrate the beginning of the new year with grapes and champagne, only accessible to the higher society. But in 1909, there was a super production of grapes, and their sellers did not know what to do with them. So they came up with a bright solution: they presented this tradition to the lower society saying, “this is what distinguished people do to celebrate New Year’s Eve”,… and it worked! 

Puerta del Sol, Madrid

Puerta del Sol, 28013 Madrid, Spain

In Canary Islands they celebrate the New Year with a swim in the ocean, lucky them!

Twelve candies at Salamanca

If eating grapes on New Year’s Eve brings good luck, eating twelve grapes before would be awful for you. In the past decade, in Salamanca, in front of the big clock of the Plaza Mayor, some students gathered to eat twelve candies before departing home with their families to celebrate it with their friends. This became so trendy that over 20,000 people filled the square every year in mid-December. Now there are concerts and that night is a huge party all over town, with students arriving from every corner of Spain. 

Plaza Mayor de Salamanca

Plaza del Corrillo, 37002 Salamanca, Spain

So you see, Christmas in Spain lasts a lot (until January the 6th), and we celebrate every day in many ways. In another story, you can read more about children’s favourite days: the 5th and the 6th, when they receive their presents and can see the parade of the Three Kings. You will agree with me that Christmas in Spain IS different!