Christmas
Latest news, information and cultural background about Christmas and yuletide traditions.
El Niño: What to know about Spain's other big Christmas lottery
You probably know about 'El Gordo' (The Fat One) - Spain's famous Christmas lottery - but there's another festive draw called 'El Niño' where the chances of winning are higher.
What you need to know about Spain's festive Roscón de Reyes cake
Every culture has a particular food associated with Christmas and in Spain there is nothing more typically festive than the Roscón de Reyes, the 'Cake of Kings'. Here's what you need to know about this tradition and its fascinating origins.
Why Spain loves the Three Kings more than Santa
Christmas is not over in Spain yet. Even though Christmas Day is celebrated across the country, Spaniards still tend to go 'all in' on January 6th with the arrival of 'los Reyes' (the Three Wise Men). Sorry Santa!
The New Year’s Eve events taking place in Spain's main cities
Whether you want to party with the masses in the main squares, catch a local firework display, cruise down a river on a boat or say goodbye to 2025 with an epic race, here are the Nochevieja events taking place around Spain.
How Spain turned a child massacre into its April Fool's Day
April 1st has no special meaning in Spain, instead December 28th is the day of practical jokes among Spaniards. But the celebration's macabre origins are far from a laughing matter.
Why Santa Claus comes from Spain, according to the Dutch
In the Netherlands there's no cheery old man from the North Pole with his flying reindeer, there's Sinterklaas from Spain who rides a white horse called Amerigo.
12 weird and wonderful Christmas traditions celebrated across Spain
Feliz Navidad (Happy Christmas) to all our readers! If you're spending Christmas in Spain, here are 12 traditions foreigners tend to find both brilliant and bizarre.
The essential A to Z of Spanish Christmas vocabulary
If you're going to be spending Christmas in Spain, you may want to brush up on this essential 'Navidad' vocab to show off your festive language skills.
What's open and what's closed over Christmas in Spain?
Christmas is a time for family gatherings and feasting in Spain, but not everything will shut down complete over the festive period.
Turrón or tangerines? What Spaniards really eat and drink during Christmas
Nougat fudge and seafood aren’t the only foodstuffs Spanish people eat during the Christmas period. Here’s what Spaniards are wolfing down the most during the festive season according to official data.
Meet the log that poops gifts at Christmas in Spain
On Christmas Eve in some parts of Spain, it's not Santa that children are waiting for, but this little guy who delivers presents in a rather unconventional manner.
'Villancicos': The origin of Spain's Christmas carols
If there's one music that will be playing in all Spanish households this Christmas it's 'villancicos'. Discover all about some of Spain's most-loved Christmas carols and how they came to be.
Can I leave work early on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve in Spain?
Both dates fall during the week this year so many will be looking to clock off early on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve to be with their loved ones.
Turrón: 11 things you didn’t know about Spain's sweet Christmas treat
Take a stroll through any Spanish supermarket during the festive season, and you'll surely spot the turrón aisle. Spaniards love it, and it's everywhere at this time of year. But what is turrón, exactly? And why is it so popular at Christmas?
Olentzero: Meet the Basque version of Santa Claus
Move over Santa because there's a pipe-smoking, beret wearing, more rugged version of you living in northern Spain.
El Gordo: What you need to know about Spain's Christmas lottery
Every year at Christmas, Spaniards go lottery mad, queuing for hours to buy tickets for the famous "El Gordo" - The Fat One - and this year is no exception.
Can you bring Spanish meat or cheese into the UK this Christmas?
If you're travelling to the UK from Spain this Christmas you might be thinking of bringing gifts of Spain's delicious cheeses and cured meats - but a change in British import rules is still in effect.
Why do children sing Spain's Christmas lottery numbers?
You may have noticed that children are tasked with singing the longwinded Christmas lottery numbers on live TV in Spain. How did this tradition come about?
Is there a science to winning Spain's 'El Gordo' Christmas lottery?
It’s one of the biggest days in Spain, and the vast majority of Spaniards take part hoping for a big win that will change their lives. But is there actually a hidden formula to winning 'El Gordo'?
Where to get a real Christmas tree in Spain
Christmas is just around the corner, so if you haven’t got your tree yet and you want to buy a real one rather than a plastic one, here's where you can find them in Spain.
'It’s about family and not shopping': Why you love Christmas in Spain
We asked our readers what’s so special about Christmas in Spain and we received so many comments about your favourite parts of the festive period here.
Where to buy decent greeting cards in Spain
If you've lived in Spain for some time you may be very familiar with the lack of witty, good-quality English-language birthday, Christmas and other greeting cards. Worry not, we've broken down the best options for you.
The best Christmas markets in Spain in 2025
They may not have the prestige of their Central European counterparts, but Christmas markets are becoming more and more popular across Spain from smaller craft markets to the vast collection of stalls in Madrid’s Plaza Mayor.