The festive season in Spain, spanning from Christmas Eve (Nochebuena) to New Year’s Day (Año Nuevo), is a time of rich traditions, family gatherings, and joyous celebrations. This period combines religious customs, culinary delights, and cultural events that highlight Spain’s unique approach to the holidays.
Christmas Eve: A time for family
Christmas Eve, or Nochebuena, is one of the most important nights of the year in Spain. Families gather for a lavish dinner, typically starting late in the evening. Popular dishes include roast lamb, seafood platters, and turrón—a nougat-like sweet made with almonds.
For devout Catholics, the evening often ends with Misa del Gallo (Midnight Mass). This service, held in churches across the country, commemorates the birth of Christ and brings communities together in prayer.
Christmas day: Quiet reflection
Unlike in some countries, Christmas Day in Spain is relatively low-key. The focus remains on spending time with family and enjoying leftovers from the night before. Children eagerly anticipate Los Reyes Magos (The Three Kings) rather than Santa Claus, as Epiphany on January 6th is the main gift-giving day. However, as many areas in Spain have residents from all over the world, many lucky children enjoy both days.
December 28: Día de los Santos Inocentes
On December 28, Spain celebrates Día de los Santos Inocentes—a day similar to April Fool’s Day in the UK. Pranks, or bromas, are common, and newspapers often publish humorous or exaggerated stories. This light-hearted tradition has its roots in the tale of King Herod but has evolved into a day of fun.
New Year’s Eve: Grapes, luck, and underwear
New Year’s Eve, known as Nochevieja, is celebrated with lively gatherings and longstanding traditions. The most iconic custom is the Twelve Grapes of Luck (Las Doce Uvas de la Suerte). At the stroke of midnight, Spaniards eat one grape for each chime of the clock. This symbolises good fortune for the coming year. Supermarkets will be filled with grapes and also ready-made packs of twelve.
Another widespread tradition is wearing red or yellow underwear. Red underwear is believed to bring love and passion in the year ahead, while yellow underwear is associated with wealth and prosperity. Often given as a playful gift, the underwear is typically worn on New Year’s Eve and sometimes discarded the next day as part of a good-luck ritual.
Major cities like Madrid and Barcelona host public celebrations, with Puerta del Sol in Madrid being the most famous. Fireworks light up the skies, and the streets buzz with energy well into the early hours.
Foods of the festive season
The festive period is marked by indulgent feasts. In addition to turrón, other seasonal treats include polvorones (crumbly almond cookies) and roscón de Reyes, a ring-shaped cake traditionally eaten on Epiphany but often enjoyed in the lead-up to the New Year.
Savoury highlights include mariscos (seafood), often served as a starter, and roasted meats like suckling pig or lamb. Each region boasts its specialties, reflecting Spain’s diverse culinary heritage.
New Year’s Day: Renewal and relaxation
New Year’s Day, or Año Nuevo, is a quieter day dedicated to rest and family. After the revelry of the night before, many Spaniards enjoy a hearty meal, often including traditional stews or soups to ward off the winter chill.
For some, the first day of the year is an opportunity to set resolutions or begin preparing for Los Reyes Magos, which concludes the holiday season.
Embracing Spain’s holiday spirit
The period between Christmas Eve and New Year’s Day in Spain offers a blend of solemn traditions, joyful celebrations, and culinary delights. Visitors can immerse themselves in the culture by participating in Midnight Mass, savouring festive foods, wearing red or yellow underwear for good fortune, or welcoming the New Year with a handful of grapes at midnight.