Spain in Winter: A Guide to Holiday Celebrations, Festivals, Processions, and Music clone

The weather is cold, but the welcome is warm and the mood joyous.

The glories of Spanish summers are well-known–the sun-drenched landscapes, the 8000 kilometers of coastline with pristine beaches, and the endless warm nights sipping wine on the plaza. Yes, it’s understandable that everyone seems to want to go there. According to Turespana, the Spanish government tourism bureau, international traffic to Spain in August 2024 is expected to increase by 10.3% over the same period in 2023.

But there are also many–if less well-known–pleasures of winter in Spain. While the weather may be cold, the Spanish winter spirit is warm and welcoming. Especially during December and January, Spain is awash in the festive energy of the feasts, markets, parades, and performances that mark the holiday season, which extends from early December to the end of January.

The season officially gets underway on December 8th, when many towns and cities light their Christmas decorations in public ceremonies. The festive atmosphere begins to build as the streets come alive with religious processions, music, and traditional dances.

Like most towns and cities in Spain, Madrid goes all out with lights and decorations.

December 8–Feast of the Immaculate Conception (La Fiesta de la Inmaculada Concepción)

December 8th is one of the most solemn religious holidays in the Spanish Catholic calendar: the Feast of the Immaculate Conception (La Fiesta de la Inmaculada Concepción). This day honors the Catholic belief in the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary, meaning that she was conceived without original sin. This feast is celebrated in most cities and towns throughout Spain, but Seville’s celebration is perhaps most famous because of its elaborate procession, which starts at Seville Cathedral and travels to the city’s historic center and typically includes thousands of participants from other churches and religious orders. The festivities also include the legendary Seises dance, a liturgical dance that is several centuries old in which the Seises (choirboys) dance in front of the main altarpiece in the cathedral.

The Fira de Santa Llucia is the oldest Christmas market in Barcelona, established in 1786.

Many towns and cities have their own spin on the holiday. In Granada, in addition to the religious observance, the day is celebrated with folk music and dancing. In the region of Leon, the feast is known as La Tota or La Purísima. There, the traditional observance is preceded by the lighting of bonfires and singing songs in honor of the Virgin Mary on the night of December 5. In some parts of Spain, particularly in Aragon and Navarre, the feast may include performances of the jota, a traditional Spanish dance.

December 24th–Christmas Eve (Nochebuena)

Christmas Eve in Spain, or Nochebuena, is one of the most important holidays of the year, but it’s not celebrated publicly. Unlike some countries where Christmas Eve can be a lively night out, in Spain it’s generally a quiet and reflective evening spent at home. Most businesses, shops, and restaurants close early, and the streets become peaceful as families gather indoors for traditional meals and religious observance. Other than attending a Midnight Mass, there are no public activities.

Consider yourself blessed if you happen to get invited to a Spanish friend’s home for Nochebuena dinner, and prepare for one of the most elaborate, delicious, and abundant meals of your life. It’s also a chance to experience a deeply authentic manifestation of Spanish culture.

Each region of Spain has its traditions, but the typical Spanish Christmas Eve dinner includes an array of festive foods. In coastal areas, seafood plays a central role in the meal, and dishes like prawns, lobster, and fish are commonly served. In other regions, like Castile and Navarre, for instance, you’ll find roast lamb or suckling pig as a main course. For dessert, turrón (a type of nougat made with almonds) and polvorones (crumbly shortbread cookies) are served everywhere. After dinner, many families attend Midnight Mass together. In Andalusia, it’s common for families to play music and sing Christmas carols (villancicos) after dinner.

For a captivating and profound look into Spain’s cultural heritage, attend The Song of the Sibyl on the island of Majorca. This unique Christmas Eve tradition, a performance of the hauntingly beautiful Gregorian chant that is a prophecy of the Apocalypse, has been performed in churches on the island nearly continuously since the Middle Ages.

Christmas Eve dinner in Spain would not be complete without an elaborate selection of sweets for dessert.

December 25 – Christmas Day (Navidad)

In Spain, Christmas Day is another quiet day focused on family gatherings and enjoying leftovers from Nochebuena. It’s less commercialized than in some other countries. Families may go for a stroll, visit nativity scenes (belénes), or simply relax at home.

December 28– Day of the Holy Innocents (Día de los Santos Inocentes)

On December 28th, Spain celebrates its version of April Fool's Day, Day of the Holy Innocents, a day for both young and old to engage in pranks, jokes, and light-hearted trickery. 

The origins of this day are rooted in a somber Biblical event—the Massacre of the Innocents ordered by King Herod. However, over time, the day has evolved into one filled with humor and fun. Newspapers might publish fake news stories, friends might try to fool one another with outrageous claims, and it's common to see people surreptitiously sticking paper cut-outs of little men, known as monigotes, on their backs.

If you find yourself in the town of Ibi in Alicante on December 28, you must see the town’s unique take on the holiday, called "Els Enfarinats." In this quirky festival participants dress in mock military uniforms and stage a mock coup against the town, all while throwing flour, eggs, and even fireworks at each other.

Seville's Cavalcade of the Magi.

December 31–New Year’s Eve (Nochevieja)

One of the most famous of Spain's New Year's Eve customs is eating twelve grapes as the clock counts down to midnight. This tradition called "the 12 grapes of luck" is believed to bring fortune and prosperity in the new year. You can follow the chimes of the famous Puerta del Sol clock in Madrid on television, experience it live at the Puerta del Sol, or in the iconic landmark where this tradition is celebrated in your destination. Major cities like Madrid host grand celebrations with fireworks and festivities. 

January 6–Three Kings Day (Día de los Reyes)

Arguably more important than Christmas, Three Kings' Day marks the arrival of the Three Kings in Bethlehem with gifts for the baby Jesus. Spanish children leave their shoes out the night of the 5th, hoping the Three Kings will fill them with gifts by morning. Parades fill the streets with colorful floats, music, and sweets for children. The celebrations are grand, offering a perfect blend of history and hijinks.

A float from the Cavalcade of the Magi on Three Kings’ Day in Barcelona.

The highlight of the day is the spectacular Cabalgata de los Reyes Magos (Cavalcade of the Magi), which is a reenactment of the arrival of the Three Kings. All major cities and many smaller ones put on a Cavalcade each year. With elaborate floats and performances, it's a must-see occasion for local families. Each city has its rich traditions but generally, the Cavalcade consists of a lively procession in which the Three Kings, accompanied by their royal entourage, ride through the streets of the city on elaborately decorated floats. The parade features an array of performers, including dancers, musicians, acrobats, and actors, all dressed in vibrant costumes that bring the story of the Magi to life. In Barcelona, the Kings distribute candy and small gifts to the crowds, particularly the children who line the streets, hoping to catch a sweet treat. The beautifully designed floats represent various themes from fairy tales, traditional Catalan culture, as well as the biblical story of the Three Kings. In Alcoy, a town in the province of Alicante, the Cavalcade, considered the oldest in Spain, is distinguished by its "royal emissaries" who climb ladders to deliver presents directly to children on balconies. Whatever the individual tradition, the day is filled with joy and anticipation.

Make sure to sample Roscón de Reyes, a delicious highlight of the Three Kings Day. It's a sweet bread decorated with candied fruits and often filled with cream.

January 20–Tamborrada of San Sebastián

The third week of January sees yet another celebration, the Tamborrada of San Sebastián, where for 24 uninterrupted hours the entire city becomes a pulsating, gastronomic carnival to the beat of the tamborrada drums. This community-driven celebration showcases the Basque region's unique cultural identity and honors the city's patron, Saint Sebastian.

On the night of January 19th, the festivities begin at midnight with the raising of the city’s flag in the Plaza de la Constitución. This marks the start of the 24 hours of continuous drumming throughout the city. Participants dressed in traditional costumes march through the streets in parades, beating drums and barrels in unison. The festival is a powerful expression of Basque unity and pride, making it a truly unforgettable experience for anyone visiting San Sebastián during this time.

There are more holidays and celebrations as January turns to February, all of them offering unique insights into this rich and complex culture and providing more reasons to visit--even if you can't enjoy your wine outdoors. Click here to see our Spain itinerary then contact us to customize it based on your preferences.

Now’s the Time…to Plan Spring Trips to Japan

Japan is always one of our most popular destinations, especially in spring when many people travel to view the cherry blossoms. To make sure you don't miss out, it's important to make reservations now. The cherry blossom viewing season begins as early as January in Okinawa in the south and moves north as the weather warms, reaching its northernmost destination of Hokkaido in May. In Tokyo, the viewing of the blossoms, called hanami, usually happens around the end of March. Contact us for more information about exact dates and to get started planning.