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CHRISTMAS 2015

CHRISTMAS

Seven of the quirkiest Christmas nativity scenes on display in Spain

Spaniards love their Christmas nativity scenes, but there is nothing traditional about these quirky versions. The Local takes a look at seven of the most unusual 'Beléns' on display in Spain this year.

Published: 17 December 2015 15:01 CET
Seven of the quirkiest Christmas nativity scenes on display in Spain
Photo: Ayuntamiento de Tomares

A chocoholic's dream


Photo: nemomemini/Flickr 

Every year the town of Rute in southern Spain constructs a nativity scene made entirely of chocolate – 1,000kg of the sweet stuff, to be precise – making it the biggest chocolate nativity scene in Spain. From palm trees to turrets, each tiny detail of the huge scene is made from white, milk and dark chocolate. 

Playmobil 


Photo: Ayuntamiento de Tomares

The town of Tomares in Seville constructs the biggest Playmobil nativity scene in the world – at 140 metres squared, featuring 6,200 characters. It spans thousands of years of history, from Vikings to Romans to the Middle Ages and of course, featuring the Nativity. 

A sombre tribute 


Photo: Photo: Mensajeros de la Paz

In early September the image of a young boy washed up on a Turkish beach as his family fled Syria and attempted to reach Europe was seen by over 20 million people around the world in just 12 hours. A Madrid church has based its 2015 nativity scene around the tragedy, hoping to draw attention to the plight of refugees. 
 
Hamazing
 

Photo: Fiona Govan
 
It's no secret that Spain is a nation of ham-lovers, so what better way to pay homage to the nation's favourite food than to carve out a nativity scene in a leg of jamón?! This artistic masterpiece was spotted in the Museo de Jamón (The Ham Museum), a bar dedicated to ham in Madrid. 
 
Underwater nativity
 

Photo: Madrid zoo
 
Madrid zoo has designed its very own marine nativity scene, submerged four metres underwater in its shark enclosure. We're pretty sure sharks didn't make an appearance at the birth of Jesus, but they definitely make an interesting addition to the traditional tale.
 
The live nativity scene
 

Photo: colmenarviejo.com
 
Every year the town of Colmenar Viejo, 30km north of Madrid, stages a “living nativity scene” featuring a cast of around 250. This year the scene will take place on Saturday 19th December at 6.30pm. 
 
What a corker 
 

Photo: turismodecantabria.com
 
The town of Barcenaciones in Cantabria has a nativity scene made entirely out of corks, from the houses of Bethlehem to Mary, Joseph and Jesus themselves.

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CHRISTMAS

LATEST: What are the rules in place across Spain at New Year?

Amid rising infection rates some of the regional authorities across Spain have tightened restrictions over New Year.

Published: 30 December 2020 14:04 CET
LATEST: What are the rules in place across Spain at New Year?
Photo: AFP

Mallorca which is experiencing a steep rise in new infections has ordered bars and restaurants to close their outdoor spaces from 6pm while across the Balearic Islands social gatherings have now been capped at six people except in Ibiza where a group of 10 people can meet in the open air.

A 10pm curfew across the islands is to be extended for another forthnight.

Meanwhile Madrid  has placed new limitations on entering and exiting a further four Basic Healthcare Zones bringing the total restricted zones to ten.  

Catalonia has decided not to impose tighter restrictions but has opted to extend current rules for a further 14 days. 

Regional authorities in Extremadura are insisting that bars and restaurants close between 6pm and 8pm on New Year’s Eve and extended the measure to include the dates of January 1st, 2nd, 5th and 6th.

In Cantabria, the curfew has been brought forward an hour to 00:30 and the number of people who can gather for a celebratory meal has been reduced to six on New Year’s Eve, four fewer than were permitted on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

The Health Ministry has published an interactive map that allows you to check the restrictions currently in place in each of Spain’s 17 autonomous regions.

For a breakdown of the rules over New Year region by region, read on.

What are the rules on travel?

The Health Ministry plan agreed by the regions restricts travel between regions over the entire holiday period between December 23 and January 6 although it allows exceptions for visiting family and closest friends (described as allegados, a term that has proved controversial). However, some regions have tighted the restrictions and won't allow allegados while in Valencia all travel across borders is banned unless it is for those returning to their primary residence or for work/study purposes.

The Health Ministry guidelines allow an extension on the limit on gatherings from six to ten people on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day  and will also permit regional authorities to delay the curfew until 1.30am on New Year’s Eve, but not all regional authorities have chosen to do so and some have tighter restrictions in place.

Can we celebrate the Campanada? 

The “campanadas”  is how the Spanish refer to the bell chimes at midnight on New Year's Eve, an event that in normal years is often celebrated in large gatherings in town squares in front of clock towers. 

But all such gatherings are banned this year, although televised versions will be broadcast so viewers can watch at home and gobble a grape on each stroke of midnight to ensure luck and good fortune for the year ahead.

READ MORE: Why the Spanish see in the New Year with 12 grapes

What about the traditional New Year's Eve run? 

All sporting events, such as the traditional race of San Silvestre, a run which takes place on New Year's Eve in cities across Spain,  are cancelled and so too are events which draw crowds such as New Year’s Eve celebration in public squares (campanada) and the Three King  parades (cabagatas)

For more details on the Health Ministry plan READ HERE:

Within these guidelines, regional authorities have adopted their own measures so here’s a look at each one:

Andalusia

Spain’s southern region of Andalusia on December 18th lifted restrictions that have been in place since November and allow people to once again travel between its eight provinces.

However the ban on travel to and from other regions will remain in place until at least January 10th  except between December 23rd and January 6th when it will allow people to enter for the purposes of visiting family – but it has not included the term allegados (close friends).

A curfew is in place between 11pm and 6am except on New Year’s Eve when it is delayed until 1.30am.

Social gatherings are limited to six people except on December 31st and January 1st and 6th when ten are allowed.

From December 18th restaurants across the entire region will be allowed to open from the morning until 6pm and from 8pm until 10.30 pm.

The number of people allowed in shops, restaurants, on public transport and at religious events will depend on the level of alert of each municipality.

Full details can be found at the interactive map published by the regional government HERE:

Aragon

The regional border will remain closed except between the dates of December 30 and January 2 when an exception will be made for those travelling to meet family only – Aragon has also chosen not to include the term allegados.

Travel between the three provinces of Aragon – Teruel, Huesca and Zaragoza – is also not allowed except between the above dates and for family visits only.

A declaration form must be filled out for all trips across provincial and regional borders in Aragon which can be found HERE.

Curfew run betweens 11pm until 6am except on New Year’s Eve when it is delayed until 1.30am.

Social gatherings are limited to six people except on 31st and January 1st when ten are allowed in private homes.

At present bars and restaurants have limited capacity and must close at 8pm but will be allowed to open until 10pm on Christmas Eve and New Years Eve.

Asturias

Travel in and out of the territory is banned except between December 23 and January 1 when an exception is made for those visiting family and close friends. (Asturias has chosen to allow allegados).

Authorities have  limited the number allowed at a social gathering to six, even on New Year's Eve, January 1st and January 6th and recommends that they represent no more than two households. 

The curfew has been delayed to half past midnight on New Year's Eve itself but remains at 10pm the rest of the days.

Visitors from outside the region aged between 18 and 30 must take a PCR test if they will be visiting households where over-65s or at-risk people will also be staying.

Balearic Islands

There is no travel ban on entering or leaving the islands but each island has different rules in place depending on its risk level.

But those arriving from outside the islands must present a negative PCR test or agree to isolate until an antigen test taken on arrivall comes back negative.

Mallorca currently is at level four which means a maximum of six people at social gatherings from only two households and this currently includes all dates over Christmas and New year.

In Mallorca the curfew runs from 10pm until 6am and restaurants must now close at 6pm even on New Year's Eve.

 

 

The other islands – Ibiza, Menorca and Formentera – the curfew starts at midnight and ends at 6am except on New Year’s Eve when it is delayed until 1.30am.

Social gatherings are capped across the islands to six people (except  Ibiza which allows ten if meeting in open air) but on all those except Mallorca, the limit increases to ten people on New Year's Eve from a maximum of two households.

 

 Canary Islands

The government of the Canary Islands have decided to ban non-essential travel to the island of Tenerife from Friday December 18th after a recent surge in infections.

For a period of two weeks, travel between municipalities on the island should be avoided, social gatherings would be limited to four people except on December 24, 25, 31 and January 1 and 6 when a limit of six is in place from a maximum of two households.The curfew would be brought forward to 10pm.

Tourists however, both from mainland Spain and abroad, are exempt from the travel ban provided they have accommodation booked and can show a negative Covid-19 test that was taken within 72 hours prior to arrival. 

Across all the Canary Islands apart from Tenerife, a curfew will be in place between December 23 and January 6 from 1am to 6am with the exception of Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, when the limitation will start at the 1.30am.

All  foreign visitors to the islands will need to provide a PCR or TMA test (also known as a LAMP test), while an antigen test is valid for travelers coming from Spain.

Cantabria

The region has been closed since November 4th and will remain so over the Christmas period but it will allow make an exception for visits to family and close friends between December 23 and January 6 in accordance with Spain’s Health Ministry guidelines.

It has taken a last minute decision not to extend the limit and allow up to ten people to meet on New Year’s Eve but has capped the maximum at six following a rise in infections over Christmas. 

Authorities also reversed a decision to delay the curfew until 1.30am on New Year's Eve and instead delayed it until half past midnight.

Castilla y Leon

The region will remain closed until at least January 10 with exceptions for travel to visit family (not close friends) between December 30 and January 2 and January 5 to January 6.

A curfew is in place from 10pm until 6am except on  New Year’s Eve when it is delayed until 1.30am when travel to return to one's home is allowed.

It will also extend the limit on the number of people allowed to meet from six to ten on New Year's Eve and January 1 but recommends that groups are limited to a maximum of two households.

Castilla-La Mancha

Regional borders will remain closed over the Christmas period but it will allow make an exception for visits to family and friends between December 23 and January 6 in accordance with Spain’s Health Ministry guidelines.

It will also extend the limit on the number of people allowed to meet from six to ten on the dates of December  31 and January 1 but recommends that groups are limited to those within the same household or a maximum of two.

 A curfew is in place from midnight until 6am except on New Year’s Eve and January 5 when it is delayed until 1.30am

Catalonia

 

 

Regional borders will remain closed over the Christmas period but it makes an exception for visits to family and close friends between December 23 and January 6 in accordance with Spain’s Health Ministry guidelines.

In addition Catalonia extended a ban on travelling between comarcas (counties) from December 21 until January 11, although it makes exceptions for visits to family and close friends (allegados) or to stay in a second residence or hotel.

Anyone travelling between comarcas or across regional borders must fill in a declaration form which can be downloaded HERE: 

A curfew across the whole region at all times between 10pm and 6am but will be delayed to 1am on New Year’s Eve.

Social gatherings are restricted to six people but this will be extended to ten people on the important dates over Christmas holidays but limited to two households.

Restaurants and bars will only be allowed to open for limited hours over breakfast and lunch and must remain closed (except for take-away service) in the evenings.

Valencia

Valencia announced that it will seal off its borders completely over the Christmas and New Year period and not make an exemption for those wanting to visit family and friends contrary to guidelines issued by Spain’s Health Ministry.

Regional premier Ximo Puig at a news conference on Thursday evening said that until January 15, the only people allowed into the region will be those returning to their primary place of residence or because of justified reasons that include work or study.

The region has also capped social gatherings to six people from two households on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, instead of extending it to ten, as allowed under the state guidelines.

The curfew will be delayed only until midnight on New Year's Eve but kept at 11pm on all other days.

Madrid

 

Regional authorities in Madrid announced that it will not extend the limit allowed for social gatherings to ten people on those important Christmas dates but that groups must remain capped at six and with a maximum of two households.

The region will close its perimeter only between December 23 and January 6 but will make an exception for people to come and go if visiting family or close friends (allegados).

A justification form needs to be filled out by all travellers and can be downloaded HERE.

The curfew will be delayed until1.30 on New Year’s Eve.

However new confinement restrictions have been placed on four more Basic Health Zones within the region meaning ten zones now have limits on entering and exiting except for justified reasons. 

An interactive map showing the confined zones has been provided by the Communidad de Madrid.

 

Galicia

The region has no perimeter confinement around the region but it will do so following national guidelines between December 23 and January 6 except for those visiting family.

Visitors who arrive from places deemed high risk which includes Madrid, Catalonia, Castilla-La Mancha, the Balearic Islands, Valencia and Extremadura as well as abroad must register their arrival in Galicia with health authorities within 24 hours. The form to do that can be downloaded HERE. 

Social gatherings are limited to six even on the important holidays although children under ten are not included in this number. But the recommendation is that celebrations should just include one family unit although they can add one other if, for example, that person was elderly and lived alone.

The curfew is in place between 11pm until 6am except on Christmas Eve when it is delayed until 1.30 am. No decision has yet been taken to delay curfew on New Year’s Eve.

Other restrictions are in place in various municipalities across the region which are under perimetral confinement except between midnight on December 23 and 11pm on December 25th to allow people to visit close family.  For full info look at the interactive map below:

Extremadura

The region is one of the few in Spain which has not imposed a perimeter confinement around the region but it will close its regional borders following national guidelines between December 23 and January 6 except for those visiting family (but not close friends).

Regional authorities in Extremadura are insisting that bars and restaurants close between 6pm and 8pm on New Year’s Eve and extended the measure to include the dates of January 1st, 2nd, 5th and 6th.

Social gatherings are limited to six in both private homes and restaurants except on December 31 when ten are allowed from the same family. (friends are not permitted).The curfew will be delayed from midnight until 12.30am for those returning home.

Murcia

The ban on travel in and out of Murcia will only be lifted between December 23 and 6 for those visiting family but not close friends, after authorities removed that exception following rising infections. 

On the dates of December 31 and January 1 social gathering has been extended from six to ten although with a recommendation that involves a maximum of three family units.

The curfew will be delayed from 11pm until 1.30 on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.

Bars and restaurants must close between 6pm and 9pm on the dates of December 24, 25, 31 and January 1.

Basque Country

The ban on travel in and out of the Basque Country will only be lifted between December 23 to 26 and December 30 to January 2 for those visiting family and close friends. Those doing so will have to complete the justification form required by regional authorities HERE

Social gatherings are limited to six except on December 24, December 25 and December 31 and January 1 when ten are allowed although from a maximum of two households.

The curfew will be delayed from 10pm until 1.30 on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.

Navarra

The ban on travel in and out of Navarra will only be lifted between December 23 to 26and December 30 to January 2 for those visiting family and close friends.

Travellers must fill in a form if crossing regional borders which can be downloaded HERE

Social gatherings are limited to six except on December 31 and January 1 when ten are allowed although from a maximum of two households.

The curfew will be delayed from 11pm until 1.30 on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.

La Rioja

The ban on travel in and out of La Rioja will only be lifted between December 23 to 26 and December 30 to January 2 for those visiting family and close friends.

Travellers must fill in a declaration form to justify the visit which can be downloaded HERE.

Between those same dates restaurants and bars must close by 8pm except for take-away service.

Social gatherings are limited to six except on December 24, December 25 and December 31 and January 1 when ten are allowed although from a maximum of two households.

The curfew will be delayed from 11pm until 1.30 on New Year’s Eve.

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