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December 8 is a national public holiday in Spain which marks the Catholic doctrine of the conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the womb of her mother Saint Anne. The church teaches that Mary was conceived by normal means but that God acted upon her soul at the time of conception to keep her ‘immaculate’ and free from original sin. It is one of the most important Marian feasts in the Catholic Church calendar and is considered the official start of the Christmas season in Spain.
The feast of the Immaculate Conception is celebrated nine months before the feast of the Nativity of Mary which falls on September 8th and is celebrated in Xàbia as the feast day of ‘Mare de Déu de Loreto’, the final day of the port fiesta. It’s often confused with the Virgin Birth of Jesus Christ.
The Christmas joy starts to sprawl throughout Spain at the beginning of December. Each year in the first weeks of December the local Christmas markets take their places on the squares or Town ports. The streets are adorned with Christmas lights, the shops are decorated with Christmas-themed ornaments. But the actual celebration begins with the grand lottery on December 22nd. El Sorteo de Navidad. It is a live lottery show on TV, which is a big deal for Spaniards. Everyone who lives in Spain participates in this exciting event by buying a lottery ticket. On December 22, Spanish people get together and watch the lottery show with excitement to win the biggest prize (El Gordo).
Christmas is a 2-week-long holiday season in Spain. People start to celebrate Christmas on December 24th and it ends with Dia de Los Tres Reyes Magos on January 6th. Let’s see how is Christmas celebrated in Spain!
This day is called “Nochebuena” which represents the very well-known Christmas Eve. Nochebuena is the day that Santa Claus, or Papá Noel in Spanish, comes and delivers his presents.
The main difference between Nochebuena and Nochevieja (New Year’s Eve on December 31st) is the concept of the celebrations. Christmas eve in Spain is celebrated with families on December 24th; New Year’s Eve is the time people party with their friends on December 31st.
December 25th, Christmas day, public holiday.
In Spain there is only one holiday and it´s on the Christmas day. it is considered a chill-out day and is reserved for resting. You’d better rest well on this day; there is a long list of days waiting for you to celebrate the end of the last year and the beginning of the new one.
December 28, The Festival of Verdiales & Dia de Santos inocentes
Málaga, fairgrounds in the Malaga neighborhood of Puerto de la Torre. The Festival of Verdiales, music and dance, dates back to the 19th century. These have continued to be transmitted from father to son without interruption, making it a rare and genuine sample of living folklore.
Of peasant origin, they are one of the oldest known fandangos. They have been held for more than 50 years in an organized way, to promote the recovery and dissemination of this important cultural heritage of the province of Malaga.
The festival was conceived as a contest, pitting the different participants against each other by style: Montes de Málaga, Almogía and Comares.
Each of these styles has a particular touch, being marked by a different predominant instrument.
During the day, the participating groups brighten up the atmosphere with their typical songs and dances at various points in the venue.
People crowd around these to enjoy this festive manifestation so deeply rooted in our province, while they taste the sweet wines of Malaga.
You can also buy verdiales hats and everything related to this beautiful and ancient tradition in the stalls that are scattered around the area.
Fools Day - Dia de Santos inocentes
It is one of the most popular and fun traditions of Spanish Christmas. It is celebrated on December 28 and, during that day, it is allowed to play pranks and it is common to buy funny items in well-known Christmas markets. The Spanish media participates in this national day. They often broadcast absurd stories on TV and radio. So if you are in Spain on December 28th, it would be better if you don’t believe anything you hear. The concept of it is pretty similar to April Fool's day.
December 31, New Years Eve, Nochevieja
This day, New Year’s Eve, is called “Nochevieja” in Spain. This is the day when people wear fancy dresses, attend special events with friends, party all night, and greet the upcoming year with joy.
Finally, the best way Spanish believe to welcome the new year full of oportunities and happiness is to eat 12 grapes in the first 12 seconds of the New Year. It´s real fun and goes with each clock bell. Each grape is the symbolic version of each month in a year and It is strongly believed that it would bring good luck.
The Spanish also believe that If “falling in love” is one of your New Year's resolutions, then you should make sure that you start the new year with some snazzy red underwear. By doing so, Spanish tradition holds that Cupid will find your better half and will bring you love in the new year.
Spaniards and especialy Andalusian peolpe loved to preserve their traditions. We have collected just a fracture of what is being celebrated. Feel welcome to contact us if you have any additional information or wish a local holiday or festival to be mentioned in our caledar. Have a great party on December 31st!
Happy New Year! 2024!
January 1st: New Years Day, public holiday
The new year has starded and the cheery holidays have ended? No, it’s just the beginning of the holiday season in Spain. We all know that Spaniards know how to enjoy every bliss of a celebration better than anyone.
January 5th: On this day wecelebrate the arrival of 3 Wise Men with the “Cavalcade of the Magi”. This is the day when you give the presents to your loved ones. Each town organizes special performances, but the most important event of the day is the midnight mass known as Cabalgata de Reyes Magos.
In this parade, people often carry the 3 Wise Men who throw candy to the children, and walk through the streets whilst singing under the fireworks. Musicians play the most famous Christmas songs in Spain. Artists and performers with zestful costumes participate in these events.
Comares: the feast of Saint Hilary of Poitiers, its Saint, on January 13.
The festivities of San Hilario de Poitiers in Comares celebrate the Saint of the town.
Saint Hilary was a French bishop who died on January 13, 367 and is known for defending Christianity against Arianism.
This bishop became the patron saint of the town on a historic date. On January 13, 1142, the anniversary of the death of Saint Hilary, the Mozarabs of the town took up arms against the Muslim rulers of Comares, invoking the protection of Saint Hilary.
January 20-21 Algarrobo and Benamargosa: San Sebastian
Sebastian was originally a Roman soldier in the 3rd century. He later fought against the Roman emperor of the time in defense of the Christians. A pope named him "Defender of the Church" and patron of Christian soldiers and knights. During the reconquest of Vélez-Málaga by the Catholic kings (as in other towns), King Fernando ordered the construction of a hermitage or church in his name on many occasions.
Nerja, Sedella: the San Antón Fair, January 13 and 14.
The San Antón Fair in Nerja celebrates San Antonio. It is a saint that is celebrated in many towns in Andalusia (some towns may have a different date, such as in Salares, which is celebrated on the 29th). Saint Anthony, whose real name is Anthony Abbot, was born in Egypt and is known as the patron saint of animals for his actions and love of nature throughout his life. During these celebrations it is not unusual to see animals (dogs, cats, donkeys, horses, etc.) blessed.
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