Why Is Christmas Important In Spain
There is the giant multi billion euro lottery splendid nativity scenes lots of great food and one of the biggest new year s eve celebrations you are likely to see.
Why is christmas important in spain. Most people in spain go to midnight mass or la misa del gallo the mass of the rooster. Additional important days during christmas in spain some regions of spain have their own special days during the christmas weeks as well. You can buy spanish christmas lottery tickets online. Christmas in spanish although christmas eve isn t until december 24 christmas always comes to spain a few days early on december 22.
Children keep the caga tió in their homes or schools in the run up to christmas and feed it small pieces of bread or orange peel each evening. It is usually many hours long and is always served in courses. It is called this because a rooster is supposed to have crowed the night that jesus was born. A christmas tradition unique to the catalonia region is the caga tió or pooping log essentially it is a piece of log which has been dressed up with the addition of small wooden legs a face a blanket and a barretina catalan hat.
In the days before nochebuena children might take part in piden el aguinaldo where they go and sing. An important event that also takes place around christmas time is the lottery. Christmas eve is known as nochebuena. January 6 is a very important holiday in spain called el día de los tres reyes magos known in english as epiphany or three kings day.
Christmas eve december 24th is when most people in spain have a huge dinner with their extended family. 25 december christmas day doesn t mean presents to children in spain except in the basque country. For example catalunya celebrates st. The best stemware and dishes grace the table and it s a festive time.
Christmas in spain is quite a treat. In the evening people often meet early for a few drinks. Besides the big three prizes there are thousands of smaller prizes shared by people all over spain. 24th december christmas eve is called nochebuena in spanish goodnight and it is the most important family gathering of the year.
They may receive a small gift on nochebuena but they will need to wait until 6 january for their main presents. Stephen s day on december 26 by eating another big meal this time featuring pasta known as canelons cannelloni stuffed with leftover meat turkey and or chicken. Christmas day is a public holiday in spain.