Christmas in Spain: How Does It Differ from Celebrations in Poland?

The Holiday Season in Spain

In Spain, the Christmas season stretches from December 22nd to January 6th, though the festive atmosphere can be felt much earlier. As in Poland, cities prepare decorations and light displays, though the types of decorations differ. For example, in Marbella, you can admire a nativity scene on Plaza de la Alameda, illuminated streets, and Santa Claus's grotto in Parque de la Alameda.

Festive Cuisine

Christmas in Spain is a time for indulging in sophisticated dishes. While Christmas Eve, like in Poland, is a family celebration, Spaniards also spend time with friends outdoors. The Christmas Eve menu is far more diverse and, unlike Polish traditions, the dishes are not meat-free. Some items on the menu might even seem exotic to Poles.

On Spanish Christmas tables, you will find various appetizers made of Iberian ham (jamón), seafood, and cheeses, as well as soups, meat roasts, stuffed turkey, and fish. Desserts include turrón (Spanish nougat), marzipan, fresh mandarins, and crumbly cookies known as polvorones and mantecados.

On Christmas Day, the main meal is lunch, featuring roasted lamb, seafood, poultry, and Spanish ham.

Longer and More Festive Celebrations

Christmas in Spain lasts longer than in Poland, partly because December 28th is celebrated as Día de los Santos Inocentes (Day of the Holy Innocents). Interestingly, this day resembles April Fool's Day in Poland. People play harmless pranks, and the media often shares fake news. Children have the most fun, visiting neighbors and relatives to sing carols in exchange for sweets.

While the holidays are a time for family gatherings, Spaniards don’t stay cooped up at home. Streets are lively, and Christmas Eve dinners are offered by restaurants and hotels.

Turrón Instead of the Wafer

It’s hard to imagine a Polish Christmas Eve without sharing the opłatek wafer. In Spain, this tradition is replaced by turrón – a type of nougat made from honey, nuts, and almonds. Its popularity is so widespread that you can buy it outside the Christmas season in Spanish stores or at market stalls.

The Famous El Gordo Christmas Lottery

A key element of the Christmas season in Spain is participating in the grand El Gordo lottery, held on December 22nd. It is the largest lottery of its kind in the world, with millions of euros in prizes. For Spaniards, El Gordo is not just a chance for a big win but also an event that marks the start of the holiday season nationwide. Organized annually for over 200 years by Loterías y Apuestas del Estado (the Spanish State Lottery), it has even been held during the Spanish Civil War.
 

Waiting for Gifts Until Epiphany

According to Spanish tradition, children must be more patient and wait for gifts until Epiphany, celebrated on January 6th. Presents are brought not by Santa Claus, Gwiazdor, or the Christmas Star but by the Three Kings: Gaspar, Melchior, and Balthazar. Depending on the region, other figures may also deliver gifts.

On this day, tables are adorned with Roscón de Reyes – the Three Kings Cake – which contains candied fruits and whipped cream. Hidden inside are a small figurine and a bean. The person who finds the figurine gets to wear a crown during the party, while the one who finds the bean must provide the cake for next year’s celebration.

Día de los Reyes Magos, or Epiphany, holds greater significance in Spain than in Poland.

The Nativity Scene as the Christmas Tree

For Spaniards, the nativity scene symbolizes Christmas and holds a similar status to the Christmas tree in Polish homes. As a result, nativity scenes can be admired in cities and every Spanish household. Spaniards love buying new figurines, making modern nativity scenes look original and quite different from traditional ones.

New Year’s Eve in Spain

The celebration of La Nochevieja (literally, “The Old Night”) is similar to New Year’s Eve in Poland. Alongside partying with friends and family and enjoying fireworks displays, the festivities include traditions and superstitions. One of the most important customs is eating 12 grapes before the clock strikes 12. This is believed to bring good fortune and ward off bad luck in the coming year.