Christmas in Spain - Calendar of Events
- Run-Up to Christmas in Spain
- Christmas Eve in Spain
- Christmas Day in Spain
- New Year's Eve in Spain
- Three Kings Day in Spain
Run-Up to Christmas in Spain
- December 7-8 - Inmaculada. Christmas starts here. Inmaculada is the Patron Saint of Seville, where musical groups from the university, known as 'los tunos', gather around the statue of the Virgin Immaculada in the Plaza del Triunfo (behind the cathedral) in traditional dress and sing songs. On the morning of the 8th children dance the Danza de los Seises (Dance of the Sixes) in the square. An event for the whole family.
- December 13 - El Dia de Santa Lucia, patron saint of the blind. Traditionally the blind sing christmas carols in the streets, although this is less common in modern times. In the village of Zújar near Granada, bonfires are lit to celebrate the event. The Santa Lucia festival is actually a major Scandinavian festival (so I'm told) and so where there is a high concentration of Scandinavians, such as in Las Palmas in Majorca and on the Canary Islands, there is often several days of festivities.
- December 21 - the shortest day of the year is celebrated in Granada and nearby Jaen by jumping through bonfires for the fiesta of Hogueras. Where I am from, we are taught that children shouldn't play with fire, however in these parts it is said to keep illness away.
- Secon-to-Last Thursday Before Christmas Eve - 'Noche Vieja Universitaria' (University New Year's Eve) in Salamanca. With all the students away from their friends for Christmas & New Year, everyone gets together in Plaza Mayor for an early new year's celebration. For more information, visit Noche Vieja Universitaria.
- December 22 - El Gordo, the massive Spanish lottery, is drawn. This lottery is so big, they start selling tickets in August!
Read more on El Gordo, Spain's Christmas Lottery.
Then comes Christmas itself.
Next: Christmas Eve in Spain
