Transcript Christmas in Spain

Felíz Navidad
Spain celebrates Christmas in 3 parts:1. “Nochebuena”
Christmas Eve
2. “Los Reyes”
Three Kings Day
3.New Year’s Eve
1.
“ Nochebuena “ (Christmas Eve)
•Family time at home
•Meal of cold seafood and
cold meats
•Followed by baked fish and
potatoes
• Then roast lamb or suckling pig
•Dessert = “túrron” (nougat with
almonds) or “polvorones” ( ground
almond biscuits with marzipan)
•Children receive only one present on
Christmas Eve
• At midnight, people go to church
for midnight mass
• Most towns display a “belén”
(nativity display)
2. “Los Reyes” (Three Kings Day)
6th January
• Children leave straw & barley in their shoes the night
before to feed the camels which the Three Kings ride
• The Three Kings empty the shoes and leave presents
•Processions in the streets and sweets are thrown
• Eat “Rosca del Reyes”
(cake with plastic toys
or charms inside)
3. New Year’s Eve
•Tradition to wear red underwear !!
• Fireworks and fancy dress in the
evening
• Eat 12 grapes at midnight
•Other activities in the lead-up to
Christmas
8th Dec
“Immaculada” (beginning of the religious
celebrations
21st Dec
“Hogueras” (bonfires)
22nd Dec
“El Gordo” (Lottery). The largest in the world
28th Dec
“Santos Inocentes” (Same as “April Fool’s Day
and people play practical jokes on each other)