Discover interesting facts about Christmas in Spain

What is worth knowing when travelling to Spain for Christmas? How do Polish and Spanish Christmas traditions differ, and why is the Christmas season in Spain so special? See for yourself!

Christmas atmosphere on the Costa del Sol from 1st December

The festive season in Spain runs from 22 December to 6 January. Therefore, it looks completely different from our country, where we start celebrating with a traditional Christmas Eve dinner on 24 December. Thus, the Spanish extend the festive season by including Christmas Eve – called Nochebuena, New Year’s Eve (Fin de Año) and Epiphany (Reyes Magos).

However, we can feel the festive atmosphere much earlier. Every year, Marbella prepares a rich programme of attractions, which start on 1 December 2025, such as the Christmas markets in Parque de la Alameda and Plaza de los Naranjos, both of which will last until 6 January 2026. From 6 December to 6 January, the traditional market in Puerto Banús will also be open, full of festive touches.

You can also do your shopping at the La Canada centre in Marbella, which is also open during the festive season, as is El Corte Ingles Puerto Banus. Interestingly, Alcampo offers… big discounts from 28 December. For Christmas trees, it is worth visiting Agrojardin or Leroy Merlin.

If you want to visit one of the famous restaurants, remember to book in advance due to high demand. Interestingly, in Spain, it is quite popular to invite a chef to your home to prepare your dream meal. It is hard to think of a more unique way to celebrate the festive season.

Famous Christmas illuminations in Spain

At the beginning of December, the streets of Marbella take on a festive atmosphere, and the illuminations on Calle Enrique del Castillo are particularly charming. Even earlier, from the end of November, the Costa del Sol attracts visitors with its Christmas illuminations in Malaga, famous not only in Spain but throughout Europe. The lights will be switched on on 28 November and the show will end at midnight on 6 January, the day after the Three Kings parade.

A unique light show also awaits all visitors to the Jardín Botánico, Malaga’s botanical garden. When night falls, one of the most beautiful and important tropical gardens in Europe opens its doors to visitors in a way you have never experienced before. The show will open on 28 November and run until 6 January, excluding 24 and 31 December, of course. Access is divided into different sections, with admissions every 30 minutes, and a maximum of 400 people can take part.

This is another year in a row that this enchanting event is taking place, and this year’s theme is ‘Alice Christmas’. The walking route through the La Concepción Botanical Gardens is two kilometres long (it takes an hour and a half to complete) and leads to a viewpoint. The use of hundreds of LED lights and theatrical and visual elements will bring the characters of Christmas to life. In addition, the performance features little elves, symbolising the importance of protecting nature and connecting the natural and spiritual worlds.

What else besides the Christmas tree and who brings the presents?

Spanish families often gather not only around the green tree, but also at the Portal de Belen, or Christmas nativity scene. This beautifully prepared decoration often adorns the windows of many shops. The simplest nativity scene may consist only of the figures of Mary, Joseph and the Baby Jesus, but larger compositions depict not only the nativity scene in Bethlehem, but also the desert and the Three Wise Men. In Poland, we buy Christmas tree decorations every year, just as Spaniards buy new elements for their nativity scenes. In Andalusia, there is also a tradition of live nativity scenes.

According to tradition, Spanish children look forward to seeing not only Santa Claus, but also other characters – the Three Kings (Reyes Magos). In the Basque Country, gifts are distributed by Olentzero, a cheerful old man. Traditionally, children receive gifts on Three Kings’ Day. To thank them, they leave milk for the camels and liqueur for the wise men under the tree. More and more often, Andalusian homes also find gifts under the Christmas tree on Christmas Day itself.

Christmas Eve in Spain: what will you find on the table?

In Poland, it has become a tradition to sit down to Christmas Eve dinner when the first star appears. In Spain, this custom is not practised, which means that the household usually sits down to dinner around 10 p.m.! While in Poland, Christmas Eve dinner is associated with fasting dishes, in Spain they have a completely different approach and the festive table features meat dishes (turkey, lamb or pork), seafood, and in wealthy homes, impressive lobsters. For Christmas Eve dessert, polvorones (crumbly cookies) and turron, a type of very sweet nougat with various additives (almonds, strawberries, in soft and very hard versions), are served.

During Christmas meals, Iberian ham (jamón ibérico) is a popular dish and is considered a real delicacy. Christmas would not be complete without sweets, and one of the most popular delicacies is marzipan, especially from the city of Toledo, which is famous for producing this sweet pastry.

In Spain, the ‘Misa del Gallo’ (Rooster Mass) is traditionally held on Christmas Eve, which the faithful can attend at midnight. The name comes from the belief that the rooster was the first to announce the birth of Jesus. It is a solemn mass, which in some regions is preceded by communal carol singing, and is often followed by celebrations with the family.

Spanish Christmas carols are called ‘villancicos’. They are often sung both in churches and during family gatherings. One of the most famous Spanish Christmas carols is ‘Campana sobre Campana’, as well as ‘Los Peces en el Río’. In some regions, carollers visit their neighbours’ homes, singing carols and collecting donations.

Christmas traditions on the Iberian Peninsula

In southern Spain, especially in Andalusia, Christmas is celebrated very lavishly. Many cities organise Christmas flamenco shows and other traditional performances, which are part of larger festivals. People gather in squares, singing and dancing, which gives the celebrations a unique, joyful character.

In Catalonia, there is a unique custom called ‘Caga Tió’. Children feed a wooden log with sweets, and on Christmas Eve they beat it with sticks so that it gives them gifts in the form of sweets, fruit and small presents. In Catalonia, in addition to ‘Caga Tió’, there are also theatrical performances called ‘Pastorets’, which depict the biblical story of the birth of Jesus, often with humour and elements of local traditions. It is a kind of Christmas play in which amateur acting groups participate.

On 6 January, people eat ‘Roscón de Reyes’ – a ring-shaped cake decorated with candied fruit, which symbolises the jewels of the royal crown. A small figurine (often the Three Kings) and a bean are hidden in the cake. The person who finds the figurine becomes ‘king’ for a day, and whoever finds the bean pays for the cake.

Although turkey is not as common in Spain as in other countries, in some regions, a dish called ‘Pavo Trufado de Navidad’, or turkey stuffed with truffles, is served on special festive occasions. It is a luxurious dish that symbolises prosperity and abundance, and is mainly served during more formal Christmas dinners.

El Puente, or the Christmas break in Spain

In Spain, schools and universities have a Christmas break from 21 or 22 December until 8 January. The time off for working people, known as El Puente, begins on 22nd December and ends on 26th December. The whole of Spain celebrates the first day of the break by watching the Christmas lottery – El Gordo, which has a prize pool of over €2 billion, with each ticket costing €20 (it is possible to buy partial tickets). The entire draw ceremony lasts nearly 4 hours and is accompanied by a television broadcast, during which each of the numbers drawn is sung by children.

New Year’s Eve in Spain and grapes at midnight

According to tradition, Spaniards celebrating the arrival of the New Year prepare for a challenge just before midnight: eating 12 grapes before the clock strikes 12 times, which is supposed to bring good luck. To be successful, it is best to buy seedless grapes or remove the seeds beforehand, which will make it easier to eat them quickly. Although the task sounds simple, it is actually extremely difficult, as there is very little time between the chimes of the clock! We encourage you to take up this challenge so that you can fully experience the local atmosphere while spending New Year’s Eve in Spain.

New Year’s Eve is celebrated in Madrid’s Puerta del Sol square, the Spanish equivalent of New York’s Times Square. Thousands of people gather in the square to celebrate the arrival of the New Year together, eating grapes and toasting to good fortune in the coming months.

In some cities, such as Barcelona and San Sebastián, a popular custom is to take a New Year’s swim in the sea. Residents and tourists, dressed in swimsuits, welcome the New Year by jumping into the cold waters.

Farewell to the Old Year and the Three Kings Parade

In some cities in southern Spain, such as Cádiz, the New Year is celebrated with parades known as ‘las comparsas’, which herald the start of carnival. People dress up in colourful costumes, sing satirical songs and dance in the streets to celebrate the start of the new year.

In some regions, such as Galicia, there is a tradition called ‘La Quema del Año Viejo’ – the burning of effigies symbolising the Old Year. These are usually made of paper and straw, and their burning symbolises purification and the beginning of a new, better year. It is a ritual that aims to say goodbye to the past and look forward to the future with optimism.

In Spain, there is a superstition that wearing red underwear on New Year’s Eve brings good luck in the coming year. This is a custom that has become particularly popular among the younger generations, and red items of clothing are eagerly worn during New Year’s Eve parties.

In Andalusian homes, the holidays are celebrated joyfully and loudly. After dinner, entire families celebrate this special time by singing Christmas carols, accompanied by the Zambomba (an instrument consisting of a piece of leather stretched over an empty container serving as a sound box) and everyday objects used to tap out the rhythm. After the family part of the celebrations is over, young people go to local clubs, where they party until dawn.

Spaniards attach great importance to the Feast of the Three Kings, which begins in the evening of 5 January. Every year, the streets of Marbella and other Spanish cities come alive with parades, music and joyful celebrations. They are crossed by ‘La Cabalgata de Reyes Magos’, a large, colourful procession staging the arrival of the Three Kings – Caspar, Melchior and Balthazar. The whole event is accompanied by loud music, flamenco dancing and the giving of sweets to children. It is a truly Spanish fiesta that is definitely worth seeing with your own eyes!

Christmas and New Year’s Eve in Spain

More and more often, we decide to go to Spain for Christmas or New Year’s Eve, which is also reflected in the interest in renting apartments or villas during this period. In Spain, Christmas is a family holiday, spent with loved ones and friends. However, it is more cheerful and playful than in Poland. The Spanish fiesta and mild winter have convinced many people to stay in Andalusia for longer. In Marbella, the temperature in December can reach 20 °C, and in the evening, thanks to the beautiful lighting, you can feel the festive atmosphere.