Christmas traditions in Spain

Spain is rich in its culture and tradition. This is especially visible during the Christmas month of December and the following month. Christmas traditions in Spain like, Los Seises, La Noche Buena and Ephiphany Eve mark the celebrations in the country. Traditional treat like Turron and dances like ‘Jota’are some of the best attractions of the festive celebrations in Spain.

Spain’s Christmas Traditions:

Spain is one of the most amazing Christmas holiday destinations in the world. Various customs and traditions, add to the uniqueness of the celebration in this country. Some of the commonly followed Christmas traditions in Spain are:

 

Every house lights an oil lamp on Christmas Eve

Decorated mangers are kept in all homes, apart from the churches and cathedrals

With regards to the Biblical reference, the cow gave warmth with its nostrils to baby Jesus in the stable where he was born. Respect is paid to the cows on Christmas Eve.

There I family gathering and feasts on Christmas Eve, which is also known as Nochebuena.

 

Children fill their shoes with barley or straw as food for the camels riding through the festival night. These shoes are left outside the house or in the balconies, only to be filled by presents instead of barley and straws.

 

The fest of Holy Innocents is also a major Christmas tradition in Spain. During this, people gather around the village bonfire and participate in social activities like, sweeping the streets, and cleaning the surroundings.

 

Well-known Christmas traditions in Spain:

 

Spain celebrates Christmas with great enthusiasm. Some of the most prominent traditions of the festival followed by the Spanish people are:

Day of the Innocents:

 

Just like April Fools Day or Halloween, Spain observes the Day of the Innocents on December 28th. On this day children make mischief and participate in mundane activities like, pasting cut-out on people’s back, and making caricatures.

 

Los Seises:

 

Los Seises is an ancient dance form, which is performed by ten boys to pay respect to Virgin Mary. The dance is performed in Seville’s cathedral to honor the patron saint of Spain. This is followed by other music and dance shows, which take place in the streets of Spain.

 

Nacimientos:

 

Nacimientos or the nativity scenes are decorated or enacted in almost every town and village of the country. The scenes remind of the Biblical story related to Christ’s birth in Bethlehem. This is followed by grand feasts and family celebrations. The Nacimientos are also set up at public places of the town.

 

La Noche Buena:

 

La Noche Buena is also known as the Blessed Night as it signifies the night of Christ’s birth in Bethlehem. As the star comes out in the evening sky, bonfires are lit and churches and cathedrals are decorated with lights.

 

Ephiphany Eve:

 

January 5 is observed as the Ephiphany Eve. As the tale goes, this was the day when the Three Wise Men traveled in their camels in search of Baby Christ. This is followed by the tradition of Epiphany, which takes place on January 6th. On this day, children keep their shoes outside their house. They fill these with straw and barley as a customary action done to serve the camels of the Three Wise Men. These in return are emptied and replaced with gifts and candies.

 

Cavalcade of the Kings:

 

“Cavalcade of the Kings”, is a famous Christmas tradition of Spain, whose main highlight is a parade of the Three Wise Men along with live animals.

 

Grape Eating Custom:

 

On the New Year Eve, a special custom of grape eating is carried out. The tradition is carried out at the stroke of the midnight. The grape eating or swallowing takes place with every ring of the church bell.

 

These and several other such Christmas traditions in Spain are responsible in attracting thousands of tourists who love to spend their Christmas vacations in the country.

Last updated on 13/07/2011