Christmas in Spain
Traditionally, there is no Santa Claus in Spain and Spanish people have never celebrated Father Christmas coming to town in December, although it is becoming more common. Instead, the presents are usually delivered to children on 6th January by the Reyes Magos, the Three Wise Men. This means Spanish typically kids have to wait a full twelve days more than most of us to receive their gifts, although nowadays this is starting to change, and many get Christmas presents on both Christmas Day and 6th January, which is the Feast of the Epiphany.
Moreover, on the evening of January 5th every year, the Reyes Magos (Three Wise Men) ride down the streets of every town, village, and city in Spain. They travel on impressive parade floats, tossing sweets and candy to the excited children below. This procession, called the 'cabalgata,' is a Spanish Christmas tradition that you absolutely shouldn't miss.
But why does Spain celebrate Christmas on January 6th? The focus on January 6th rather than December 25th stems from the religious significance of the Epiphany, when the Three Kings visited the infant Jesus, symbolising the revelation of Christ to the world. This event became a major celebration in Spain, with gift-giving and festivities centred around that date.
Christmas food in Spain
Spain is renowned for its delicious cuisine, and Christmas brings out some of the country's finest festive dishes. Traditional Spanish Christmas food is eaten throughout December, but the main festive meal typically takes place on Christmas Eve (Nochebuena), December 24th. While Serrano ham is a staple, seafood and fish play a significant role, with king prawns being especially popular—perhaps an unusual choice for some anglophone families.
For dessert, you'll find things like turrón, a sweet almond nougat, and the standout treat, the Roscón de Reyes, a bread-like cake sometimes filled with whipped cream and topped with candied fruits, traditionally eaten on 6th January. Inside, there’s a hidden figurine and a bean. Finding the figurine means wearing a crown, while the bean means buying next year's roscón!
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