Christmas Celebration in Spain: Famous Traditions & How to Celebrate

Christmas Celebration in Spain: Famous Traditions & How to Celebrate 

  • December 5, 2023
  •   |  
  • 8 minute 34 second

Spain adds a vibrant and colorful touch to the Christmas celebrations with its diverse and rich cultural heritage. In Spain the Christmas season is much more than just about bright lights, festive decorations and exchanging gifts. But hold on, did you get your Spain visa appointment yet? If not then hurry up, Christmas month has already started and so are the celebrations in Spain.

If you do not want to miss this golden opportunity of enjoying your Christmas holidays with your loved ones in Spain this time than start your application for Spain visa from UK as early as possible. It is actually a time when both modern and ancient customs combine to create a magical atmosphere. Truly magical I must add! So, let us explore the popular Christmas traditions in Spain and see how to celebrate and enjoy the festive season in this enchanting country. If you haven’t made your mind us, this blog is surely going to help you decide.

Nativity Scenes Creation in Belén

These elaborate displays depict the birth of Jesus and feature a wide cast of people that symbolize different aspects of Spanish culture in addition to the holy family. Traditional figures like Mary, Joseph and shepherds alongside modern additions like famous football stars are included in these scenes. Belén scenes are main attraction in houses, churches and public areas during Christmas in Spain

Christmas Eve/Nochebuena Tradition

Christmas Eve or Nochebuena is a significant celebration in Spain. It is quite common for families to gather for a festive meal which includes a variety of seafood, roasted meats and delicious sweets. Sounds yum? This is not it, a traditional dish enjoyed during this time is Pavo Trufado de Navidad which is turkey stuffed with truffles. The finale of the evening is Misa Del Gallo or Midnight Mass where communities gather to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

If you are still unsure, here are the celebrations that will want you to apply for Spain tourist visa UK right away.

Christmas Day Celebration, Día de Navidad

On Christmas Day, Spaniards continue their celebrations with yet another delectable and wholesome feast which often features a variety of regional specialties. Families exchange gifts and spend the day enjoying each other’s company. You may also join the crowds on streets to participate in local festivities such as parades, live music and cultural events. This is surely going to give you the real Spanish Christmas feel with lot of people around you.

Celebrations are not yet over……..

Twelve Grapes at Midnight: Nochevieja

Twelve Grapes at Midnight: Nochevieja

As clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve or Nochevieja, Spaniards take part in a unique tradition known as “Las doce uvas de la suerte” (The Twelve Grapes of Luck). It is a well-known tradition to eat a grape with each stroke of the clock that symbolizes good luck for each month of the upcoming year. This cute and lively tradition takes place in major city squares of Spain where crowds (you may also join them) will gather to welcome the New Year 2024.

Three Kings’ Day or Día de Reyes

You might have seen people exchanging gifts in many cultures on Christmas day. But in Spain the main gift-giving celebration is on 6th January which is known as Three Kings’ Day or Día de Reyes. The arrival of Three Wise Men in Bethlehem is celebrated on this day. With your Spain Schengen Visa, you will love to see the vibrant parades featuring Three Kings on the streets of cities and towns the night before, on January 5. These parades captivates both adults and children alike.

Roscón de Reyes: The King’s Cake

A traditional treat on Three Kings’ Day is known as Roscón de Reyes which is a ring-shaped cake decorated with candied fruits representing the jewels on the king’s robe. Traditionally, a small figurine and a dry bean are hidden inside the cake. The person who finds the figurine is believed to have good luck for the year while the one who find bean is responsible for paying for next year’s Roscón.

How to Celebrate Christmas in Spain as a Tourist

How to Celebrate Christmas in Spain as a Tourist

If you get lucky enough this year to celebrate Christmas in Spain, there are numerous ways to immerse yourself in the holiday season so let’s discuss the same without any further ado:

Attend Dazzling Christmas Markets

Explore the dazzling Christmas markets that you will find across all of Spain. With intricate light shows that are simply spellbinding and a treat to watch, you will also find Nativity figurines, local crafts, delicious traditional treats and a lot of authentic Christmas food in Spain.

Trust me you are going to love the handmade crafts created by locals. Don’t forget to do some shopping to take back home a Spanish memory with you.

Participate in Nochebuena

If you have the opportunity to celebrate Christmas Eve with a Spanish family, do not miss a chance to embrace the warmth of Nochebuena. Share in the joy of a traditional Spanish feast and attend Midnight Mass for a truly authentic experience.

Generally, members of extended families get together for a lavish feast which includes meat, wine and typical Spanish food and all kinds of desserts that are usually not eaten. So if you find a family to host you during New Year’s Eve, damn you are so lucky and I envy you.

Join the Three Kings’ Day Parade

Join the Three Kings' Day Parade

Watch the magical parades with elaborate floats and characters dressed in costumes on the eve of Three Kings Day. Several cities like Madrid and Barcelona hold magnificent processions. Therefore, when you are already in Spain why miss this mind-blowing opportunity.

Savour Regional Christmas Specialties 

Try some Christmas specialties of different areas such as Basque “Bacalao a la Vizcaína” and Catalonian “Neules.” Don’t forget to enjoy a cup of warm “churros con chocolate” on a chilly winter evening.

Food takes centre stage during Christmas in Spain with several traditional meals and sweet treats for the holiday season. So if you are foody, even if not everything around you is going to tempt you to put your diet at bay for a few days.

Conclusion

Celebrating Christmas in Spain is a delightful experience that combines centuries-old traditions with modern festivities. It is a two week long holiday season with unique traditions, decorations and super exciting activities. Christmas Celebration in Spain is such a treat.

Apply for Spanish visa Manchester, London or Edinburg, wherever you want real quickly to spend your holidays in this wonderful country. Prepare your supporting documents to fulfill visa requirements for your specific purpose and duration of travel. 

Spain Visa Appointment

FAQs

Q1. What is Christmas called in Spain?

A. In Spanish Christmas is called Navidad.

Q2. What is the traditional Spanish Christmas greeting?

A. To wish merry Christmas in Spanish you say Feliz Navidad.

Q3. How does Spaniards say Santa?

A. In Spanish they say Papa Noel to Santa Claus.

Q4. Is Spain a good choice for Christmas?

A. Spain is definitely an exceptional choice if you are planning to spend your Christmas holidays here. You will be filled with joy and excitement when you’ll see streets filled with outstanding cheer. Also there are numerous festivities to celebrate the holiday season. 

Q5. I am not a UK citizen, do I need a Spain visa for Christmas?

A. Yes, if you are not a UK citizen then you will need to apply for BLS Spain visa from UK to celebrate Christmas in this country. 

Q6. How to apply for a tourist visa for Spain?

A. Apply online through our website https://www.visatravelclub.co.uk/. We will book an express BLS Spain Visa Appointment for you. After getting the confirmation of your appointment you will be accompanied by one of our representatives to the visa centre. Submit your visa application and biometric information along with all your documents without having to wait in lines. Our team member will help you expedite the process of submitting documents and biometrics as we have Tie-ups with the BLS centre.

Q7. Is it mandatory to schedule an appointment to get my Spain visa?

A. Yes, if you want visa for Spain you must book an appointment at the BLS visa centre first as walk-ins are not allowed. Generally it is very difficult to find available date and time for even months. However with our years of expertise, we can book Spain visa express appointment just next day itself on your behalf at BLS centre.

Q8. Can I get online Spain visa on an urgent basis?

A. Yes, with our expertise we can help you get next day Spain visa appointment and can try to get your visa within a week’s time.

Q9. Do children also need to come in person for the Biometric Data Collection by the Visa Centre?

A. All applicants with the exception of those under the age of 12 must submit their biometric information for a successful Spain visa application. Documents for minors below 12 years can be submitted by any other person at the BLS visa centre.