December 8 – January 6 The Christmas season in Spain

December 8 La Immaculada Feast of the Immaculate Conception marks the official opening of the Christmas season in Spain People put up their “belenes” without the 3 kings or the baby Jesus – those characters will be added later. In Seville, the dance of six performed by boys in traditional costumes. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r2kUVVhkK_Q&feature=related

December 21 Las Hogueras en Granada This date marks the winter solstice (shortest day) and in Granada people build bonfires and jump through them to protect themselves against illness.

December 22 La Lotería de la navidad Custom dating back to 1812 People buy lottery tickets for the national lottery Price = 200 €. You can buy “decimos” (one tenth of a share) for 20 €. More than 157 million tickets are on sale. The numbers are sung by children from San Ildefonso School in Madrid (previously an orphanage. Everyone stays close to a TV or radio to hear the number that will award “el gordo” (the winner) http://www.blip.tv/file/1602851

December 24 La Nochebuena (The Goodnight) Two important elements to this night La misa de gallo (midnight mass) Large dinner with family after mass (traditional turkey stuffed with mushrooms) “Esta noche es Nochebuena – y no es noche de dormir” Also – baby Jesus added to the nativity scenes this evening

December 25 La Navidad National holiday (all shops are closed) Calm day – take a walk, another big dinner with family Swings are set up in town squares and church yards – children swing in time while Christmas music is played Children do not traditionally receive gifts, though that is changing. Recently, some small gifts are left by “papa noel”

December 26 Boxing Day Boxing Day takes place on December 26th and is only celebrated in a few countries. It was started in the UK about 800 years ago in the Middle Ages. It was the day when the alms box, collection boxes for the poor often kept in churches, were opened so that the contents could be distributed to poor people. Some churches still open these boxes on Boxing Day. In Spain, kids write their letters to the three kings telling them what they want for 3 Kings Day (January 6)

December 28 Dia de los santos inocentes (April Fools Day) People play practical jokes on one another. National media will often include a nonsense story in their broadcasts

December 31 La NocheVieja (The old night) Eat 12 grapes for good luck in the new year In Madrid people congregate in Puerta del Sol to hear clock chime & eat grapes Party (funny wigs / masks / fireworks)

Video of gonging clock and grapes http://www.bing.com/videos/watch/video/new-years-eve-and-its-grapes-in-spain/a4831ca74bde979ca888a4831ca74bde979ca888-274815648700?q=grapes%20at%20new%20years

January 1st El ano nuevo Public holiday – all shops closed Low-key & quiet

January 5 Eve of 3 Kings Day Processions with floats all over Spain The 3 Kings will visit children tonight and leave gifts Children leave shoes out with straw and food for camels & donkey. Also, water often left for the animals.

January 6 La epifania (The Epiphany) Children wake up to gifts from the 3 kings (their favorite king is Baltasar who rides a donkey) 3 kings visit hospitals all over Spain delivering gifts to children People eat “Rosca de Reyes” – sweet bread in shape of a ring. A plastic toy is buried inside – he who finds it in his piece of bread gets good luck for the year. 3 Kings are added to the belenes today