Christmas in Spain is a long festive season (Dec 22st – Jan 6th) focused on family and friends reunions, elaborate nativity scenes (called Belen), big lotteries, and unique traditions, culminating in the Three Kings (Reyes Magos) Day.
Expect festive lights, markets – in a lighter version than in Germany – late Christmas Eve dinners (Nochebuena) and midnight mass (Misa del Gallo), special sweets like turrón, polvorones, mazapanes and Roscón de Reyes, big parties on NYE and the grand Three Kings parades (Cabalgatas) for children.
🎯 Key Dates & Events:
- Dec 22 Lotería de Navidad El Gordo: the Christmas time festivities kick-start in Spain on 22nd December with the National Christmas Lottery. The first prize is popularly known as “El Gordo”. Participation is massive and the draw is closely followed throughout the morning. It has a peculiarity that makes it very special, the winning numbers are sung by children in an unmistakable chant. The prize money is very well spread out and the winners usually celebrate their glory in the street.
- Dec 24 Nochebuena: Christmas Eve; main family dinner, followed by Misa del Gallo (Midnight Mass).
- Dec 25 Navidad: Christmas Day, a public holiday for quiet family time, often a quieter day than Nochebuena.
- Boxing Day does not exist nor is celebrated in Spain.
- Dec 28 Día de los Inocentes: the equivalent to April Fools’ Day around the world is celebrated on this date in Spain (and most of latin countries).
- Dec 31 Nochevieja: New Year’s Eve; we eat 12 grapes at midnight for luck.
- Jan 1 Año Nuevo: New Year bank holiday, when friends and family get together for a cozy day.
- Jan 5 Cabalgata de Reyes: Three Kings’ Parades during the evening with candy for children.
- Jan 6 Día de Reyes: similar to the Sinterklass celebration in the Netherlands on Dec 5th, this day is the main gift-giving day for children from the Three Kings – not Santa on Dec 25th, though that’s changing. On this day we eat the Roscón de Reyes, a ring-shaped cake with hidden surprises that will make you the Queen/King of the day if you get the hidden small crown; or if instead you get the hidden bean, you have to pay for the cake. France has its own equivalent version, called Galette des Rois.
🌟 Key Traditions all along the festivities include:
- Nativity Scenes (Belén): Elaborate nativity displays are everywhere.
- Family Focus: Large family gatherings for meals are central.
- Villancicos (Jingle Bells): here is a list of some traditional Spanish jingle bells
🍬 Must-Try Christmas Sweets:
- Turrón: the quintessential Christmas sweet is basically made with pure honey, sugar, almonds, and egg whites. Although there are now dozens of varieties, from pistachio to Lacasitos, truffle, and coconut, the two most popular are still hard and soft.
- Roscón de Reyes: Sweet ring-shaped cake with hidden treasures is one of the most popular Christmas sweets, eaten on Three Kings Day (Jan 5) for breakfast or ‘merienda’ (afternoon tea). If the Bean hidden treasure finds you it means that you will have to pay for the cake.
- Polvorón: Crunchy shortbread from Andalusia
- Mazapán: Almond paste from Toledo, sometimes shaped into small figures
- Peladilla: Sugar-coated almonds from Valencia.
🎁 Top Christmas Markets in Valencia You Can’t Miss:
Read the full guide on Valencia’s Christmas Markets here.
🍲 Valencian Tradition:
The family meal Puchero valenciano con pilotes, a traditional hearty winter stew in the Valencian cuisine, is served on Sundays, and on holidays, and takes center stage on Christmas Day at lunchtime, known as Puchero de Nadal or Olla de Nadal.
🎉 Christmas at Vortex:
At our coworking spaces in Valencia, community comes first—and Christmas, like any festive season, is the perfect reason (and excuse!) to celebrate and connect. What makes it even more special? Our international and inclusive community. Together, we blend traditional Spanish celebrations with customs and traditions from all over the world, creating a unique mix of beliefs, cultures, and festive spirit.
We celebrate many occasions during the festive season (Thanksgiving potluck lunch, Ugly Sweater Day, and more) but two events truly stand out as the highlights:
- Vortex Christmas Evening: our community gathering right before everyone heads to more intimate celebrations, with Secret Santa, Dinner & Dancing.
- Roscón de Reyes Monthly Breakfast in January to welcome everyone back in the office from their holidays.
💡 Tip for Visitors:
Spanish Christmas is long, lively, and full of traditions—perfect if you want to experience local culture, taste amazing sweets, and join family celebrations.
If you are working during the festive season, and need a proper place to work from and focus during your stay, we recommend to plan and book in advance; most coworking spaces close during the holidays and are not accessible unless pre-booked.
In the case of our coworking spaces in Valencia, we close to the public fom Dec 22 to Jan 5. Our members with an active plan can still use the space as usual, however to be this your case you will need to book a spot with us before Dec 22.
Sounds interesting? Contact us here.