On Christmas Day, Spain typically celebrates with a big family meal and attending a midnight mass known as “La Misa Del Gallo” or “The Rooster’s Mass.”
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On Christmas Day, Spain typically celebrates with a big family meal and attending a midnight mass known as “La Misa Del Gallo” or “The Rooster’s Mass.” This tradition dates back to the early morning crow of a rooster being the first to announce the birth of Jesus. The mass is followed by the singing of Christmas carols and the exchange of gifts.
In addition to the traditional meal and mass, there are several unique customs and events that take place during the Christmas season in Spain. Here are a few interesting facts:
- The Christmas season officially kicks off on December 8th with the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and lasts until January 6th, also known as Epiphany or “El Día de los Reyes Magos” (Three Kings’ Day).
- One of the most famous Christmas events in Spain is the “El Gordo” lottery drawing held on December 22nd. It is one of the largest lotteries in the world and has been known to make millionaires overnight.
- Another popular custom in Spain is the “Belén” or Nativity scene. Many homes and public spaces will have elaborate displays featuring not only the traditional figures but also depictions of daily life in Spain.
- On December 28th, Spain celebrates “Día de los Santos Inocentes” or Holy Innocents’ Day, which is similar to April Fool’s Day in the United States.
- Finally, while not unique to Spain, the tradition of “Nochebuena” or Christmas Eve is still very important. Many families will gather for a big feast featuring traditional dishes like “bacalao” (cod) or “cordero” (lamb).
As the Spanish writer Rosalia de Castro once said, “Nadie es tan pobre que no pueda regalar una sonrisa, ni tan rico que no la necesite” (“No one is so poor that they cannot give a smile, nor so rich that they do not need one”). Let us all remember the importance of sharing joy, love, and kindness during the holiday season and throughout the year.
Here is a table summarizing some of the unique Christmas customs and events in Spain:
| Event | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Feast of the Immaculate Conception | December 8th | Official start of the Christmas season |
| El Gordo | December 22nd | One of the largest lotteries in the world |
| La Misa Del Gallo | December 24th/25th | Midnight mass on Christmas Eve/Christmas Day |
| Día de los Santos Inocentes | December 28th | Similar to April Fool’s Day |
| El Día de los Reyes Magos | January 6th | Three Kings’ Day, marking the end of the Christmas season |
Further responses to your query
For devout Catholics, there’s an important event after dinner: it’s time to go to a special midnight mass called the Misa del Gallo. Church-goers celebrate the birth of the Son of God by singing famous and traditional Christmas carols accompanied by guitars, hand drums, and tambourines.
The Spanish have a number of unique Christmas traditions that differ from those to which you might be accustomed. From giant nativity scenes to pooping logs, fools’ day and the national lottery, here are eight Spanish Christmas traditions you should know.
Every country has their own special Christmas traditions, and Spain is no different. The country loves to celebrate the festive season with lots of unique customs – and some of them may surprise you. From a huge national lottery to a December Fool’s Day and a pooping log, here are 8 of our favourite Spanish Christmas traditions.
Watch related video
Spanish People celebrate Christmas over a span of 12 days. Krista from Spanish Pop 101 shared some important phrases for Christmas in Spain and cultural tips. She informs that Spanish people attend midnight mass on Christmas Eve and walk the streets with torches, singing. On Christmas Day, people greet each other by saying Feliz Navidad. Krista mentioned that seafood is an essential part of the traditional Spanish Christmas dinner, including fish, lobsters, shellfish, and shrimp; and kids traditionally receive gifts from the three wise men on January sixth instead of on Christmas Day.
These topics will undoubtedly pique your attention
Likewise, What do they do on Christmas Day in Spain?
In reply to that: Most people in Spain go to Midnight Mass or ‘La Misa Del Gallo’ (The Mass of the Rooster). It is called this because a rooster is supposed to have crowed the night that Jesus was born.
What do Spanish countries do for Christmas? The response is: Throughout Spain and Latin America, millions of people come together to spend time with family, sing songs, eat delicious food, and even dress-up to reenact important stories and tales for Christmas.
Considering this, Is Christmas Day big in Spain?
Christmas in Spain is quite a treat. There are celebrations and religious services from mid-December through Jan. 6. There is the giant multi-billion euro lottery, splendid nativity scenes, lots of great food, and one of the biggest New Year’s Eve celebrations you are likely to see.
What are 5 facts about Christmas in Spain?
The Best Christmas Traditions in Spain
- Santa Claus does not come to Spain!
- People go to a midnight mass, “La Misa del Gallo”
- The biggest lottery draw in the world happens at Christmas, in Spain.
- Spanish people don’t eat cake or pudding for Christmas.
- The Basques have yet another unique Father Christmas.
What are the most popular Christmas traditions in Spain?
Here are five of the most popular Christmas traditions in Spain. The Christmas time festivities kick-start in Spain on 22nd December with the National Christmas Lottery. The first prize is popularly known as “El Gordo”. Participation is massive and the draw is closely followed throughout the morning.
Beside above, How long is Christmas in Spain?
In reply to that: Christmas in Spain — the actual proper holiday — lasts a full 14 days, from December 24 through January 6. This doesn’t include Christmas-related holidays like Inmaculada on December 8, Día de Santa Lucia on December 13 or the big lottery drawing on December 22. You could make the case that Christmas in Spain is a month-long event.
What are Spanish holidays?
Response to this: Spanish holidays are a mixture of Christian and pagan traditions. According to Catholic tradition, Christmas is celebrated on December 25 in honor of the day Jesus was born. December 31 is New Year’s Eve, or Nochevieja in Spanish, the time to say goodbye to the year that’s coming to an end and welcome the new year.
Also asked, Is there a Santa Claus in Spain?
Traditionally, there is no Santa Claus in Spain and Spanish people have never celebrated Father Christmas coming to town in December, although it is becoming more common. Instead, the presents are usually delivered to children on 6th January by the Reyes Magos, the Three Wise Men.
Keeping this in consideration, What are the most popular Christmas traditions in Spain?
Answer: Here are five of the most popular Christmas traditions in Spain. The Christmas time festivities kick-start in Spain on 22nd December with the National Christmas Lottery. The first prize is popularly known as “El Gordo”. Participation is massive and the draw is closely followed throughout the morning.
Herein, How long is Christmas in Spain? Answer will be: Christmas in Spain — the actual proper holiday — lasts a full 14 days, from December 24 through January 6. This doesn’t include Christmas-related holidays like Inmaculada on December 8, Día de Santa Lucia on December 13 or the big lottery drawing on December 22. You could make the case that Christmas in Spain is a month-long event.
Why do Spanish people celebrate Christmas & New Year? In this midnight mass, Spanish people reaffirm their faith and praise the birth of Jesus Christ on Christmas Day. So, now you know all about the wonderful Christmas and New Year traditions in Spain, there’s nothing stopping you from celebrating these holidays in true Spanish style wherever you are spending Christmas this year.
People also ask, What are Spanish holidays?
The reply will be: Spanish holidays are a mixture of Christian and pagan traditions. According to Catholic tradition, Christmas is celebrated on December 25 in honor of the day Jesus was born. December 31 is New Year’s Eve, or Nochevieja in Spanish, the time to say goodbye to the year that’s coming to an end and welcome the new year.