Expat Guide To Spain

New Year's Eve in Spain, known as Nochevieja, is a vibrant and exciting celebration steeped in unique traditions and superstitions. While people around the world celebrate the end of the year and the beginning of a new one, Spain stands out with its distinctive customs and beliefs surrounding this special night. From the iconic twelve grapes of luck to the symbolic act of starting the year on the right foot, Spaniards embrace a variety of superstitions to ensure good fortune and prosperity in the coming year. These superstitions offer a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of Spain and its people's deep-rooted belief in luck, fortune, and the importance of starting the year with positive intentions. Let’s take a look at the most common:

• Eating twelve grapes: The most iconic New Year's Eve tradition in Spain is eating twelve grapes, one for each chime of the clock at midnight1. These grapes, known as "las doce uvas de la suerte" (the twelve grapes of luck), are believed to bring good luck for each month of the coming year.

• Wearing red or yellow underwear: In addition to red underwear for love, some Spaniards also wear yellow underwear to attract money and prosperity in the new year. The colour yellow is associated with gold and wealth, making it a popular choice for those seeking financial fortune.

• Starting the year on the right foot: To ensure a positive start to the year, many Spaniards believe that the first step you take after the bells chime should be with your right foot. This symbolic act is believed to set the tone for a year filled with good luck and positive experiences.

• Dropping a gold object in Cava: Some Spaniards drop a gold object, such as a ring or coin, into their glass of Cava before the midnight toast. This superstition is believed to bring good fortune and financial prosperity in the new year. To ensure the good luck charm works, you must drink the entire glass of Cava after the toast and retrieve the gold object.

• Burning coloured candles: In some regions of Spain, people burn coloured candles on New Year's Eve to attract different types of luck. For example, yellow candles are burned for abundance, orange for intelligence, green for health, and white for clarity.

• Putting money in your shoe: For those seeking economic prosperity, there's a superstition of putting money in a shoe before midnight. This practice is believed to attract wealth and financial abundance in the coming year.

• Burning a list of desires: Some people write down a list of up to three desires and stick it somewhere on their body before the last dinner of the year. Like with the red underwear, the list must be burned immediately after midnight to symbolize the release of those desires and the hope for their fulfilment in the new year.

• Cleaning the house: On the last day of the year, it is customary to clean the house thoroughly with a broom to remove all bad energy and start the new year fresh. This practice is believed to cleanse the home of any negativity and prepare it for good fortune in the coming year.

The various superstitions, from the twelve grapes to the red underwear, offer a unique and memorable experience for those who participate. Whether you believe in the magic or not, embracing these customs allows you to connect with the Spanish culture on a deeper level and appreciate the importance of hope, renewal, and community in welcoming the new year.

As the clock strikes midnight and the fireworks illuminate the sky, remember to eat your grapes, raise a glass of Cava, and step into the new year with your right foot, embracing the spirit of Nochevieja and all the good fortune it may bring!

Celebrating Christmas in Spain offers a unique experience that differs significantly from other parts of the world. For expats, understanding the Spanish Christmas calendar with its numerous festivities and traditions is essential to fully immerse yourself in the local culture. Here’s a detailed guide to the key dates and their significance, from early December to the Epiphany.

December 8: Feast of the Immaculate Conception

The Christmas season in Spain officially kicks off on December 8 with the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. This is a public holiday celebrating the belief in the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary. In Seville, the day is marked with a grand procession, while other cities and towns hold various church services and public events.

December 22: El Gordo (The Fat One)

One of the most eagerly awaited events of the Spanish Christmas calendar is the "El Gordo" lottery draw on December 22. Known as the world's largest and oldest lottery, El Gordo captures the entire nation’s attention. Many Spaniards participate in this tradition by buying lottery tickets and hoping to win substantial cash prizes. The lottery draw is a festive event, often watched by families together.

December 24: La Nochebuena (Christmas Eve)

Christmas Eve, or "La Nochebuena," is a time for family gatherings and elaborate feasts. Traditional foods such as roast lamb, seafood, and various tapas are commonly enjoyed. Despite the festive atmosphere, the evening often includes attending Midnight Mass, known as "La Misa del Gallo" (The Rooster’s Mass), symbolizing the rooster that crowed at midnight when Christ was born.

December 25: Christmas Day

Christmas Day is a quieter affair compared to Christmas Eve. Many families come together again to enjoy a relaxed meal and exchange gifts. It's a day of reflection and spending quality time with loved ones. Although Christmas Day is less commercially oriented in Spain, the spirit of togetherness and joy is ever-present.

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

Spain's version of April Fool’s Day, "Día de los Santos Inocentes," is observed on December 28. The day commemorates the biblical event of King Herod's massacre of infants. However, it is celebrated with practical jokes and pranks. It's a light-hearted day where even the media joins in with hoax news stories, and people try to outdo each other with their playful tricks.

December 31: Nochevieja (New Year’s Eve)

New Year’s Eve or "Nochevieja" is celebrated with vibrant festivities. A unique tradition involves eating twelve grapes at the stroke of midnight—one for each chime of the clock—to bring good luck for the coming year. Major city squares, such as Madrid’s Puerta del Sol, become hubs of celebration filled with joyous crowds, fireworks, and the ringing of bells.

January 1: New Year’s Day

New Year's Day is a public holiday marked by quiet family gatherings, resting after the previous night's celebrations, and preparing for the continuation of the festive season.

January 5: La Cabalgata de los Reyes (Parade of the Three Kings)

On the eve of Epiphany, spectacular parades known as "La Cabalgata de los Reyes" take place throughout Spain. The Three Kings, or "Los Reyes Magos," ride through towns and cities on elaborate floats, distributing sweets and small gifts to children. This event generates great excitement and marks the high point of the Christmas festivities.

January 6: Día de los Reyes (Epiphany)

Epiphany, or "Día de los Reyes," on January 6, is possibly the most significant day in the Spanish Christmas calendar. Celebrating the arrival of the Three Kings who brought gifts to the baby Jesus, this day is marked by the exchange of gifts among family and friends. Children wake up to find presents left by the Three Kings, and families enjoy a special cake called "Roscón de Reyes," a ring-shaped pastry decorated with candied fruits.

The Spanish Christmas calendar is filled with rich traditions and meaningful celebrations that create a festive atmosphere lasting well beyond December 25. For expats, understanding and participating in these local customs can enhance your experience and appreciation of the Spanish holiday season, making Christmas in Spain truly unforgettable.