Christmas traditions in Spain are slightly different to the ones celebrated in Catalonia. For that reason, we would like to give you an overview of these different (weird, unusual and special) cultural events that take place here during December.
Christmas is an important time of 12 months in most calendars and that doesn’t change for Barcelona.
Here, there are various components of custom, each new and previous, for individuals to take pleasure in. Whether or not it’s meals, stalls, spiritual or not, there may be loads to find out about.
Christmas traditions in Catalonia
Caga Tió
The Caga Tió is basically a small or big (depending on the occasion) wooden log that wears a Christmas red hat and a smiley face. Kids usually get it around early December. Their task is to take care of it until the log “poos” them presents (weird right?). On Christmas Eve, Caga Tió will get covered with a blanket and kids must sing a song while they bang the log. After the song, kids will find sweets and little toys underneath the blanket.
Pessebre and Caganer
The Pessebre or stable is one of the most popular decorations in Catalan’s homes and it’s usually build together as a family. The stable recreates the nativity scene along with other elements and characters.
The star of the Catalan stable is the Caganer which translates to “the shitter”. Catalans have been carrying the tradition on since the 18th century. The Caganer is a little figure dressed in a white T-shirt, blue trousers and a red hat while he is pooing. Since the Caganer became so popular, there has been many recreations of famous people as the Caganer character. Some examples of it are: the Trump Caganer, the Puigdemont Caganer or the Santa Claus Caganer. You can find these tiny figures in the many Christmas markets around the city during December.
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day
Both Spain and Catalonia celebrate Christmas Eve and Christmas Day with family and friends. However, it’s more common to just have big feasts rather than exchanging presents. Kids might get some presents at Christmas from Caga Tió but they will mostly get them on Kings Day.
Boxing Day and the All Fool’s Day
Sant Esteve is what you might know as Boxing Day. Luckily for us, it’s also a holiday day in Catalonia. Family and friends will probably have more Catalan specialties (check them out on this article). On the 28th of December, it’s the All Fool’s Day so if you end up being in Barcelona, don’t believe much of what you’re told.
New Years Eve
The usual on New Years is to have dinner with family or friends and then, party. The tradition in Spain/Catalonia is to eat one grape for each bell at 12 o’clock and drinking a glass of cava to welcome the New Year.
It’s popular to rent a masia (traditional Catalan farm house) to spend the night over as it might be cheaper than going to a club. I totally recommend it if you’re a big group trying to celebrate New Years in the city!
Kings Day
The Spanish/Catalan tradition on the 6th of January (Kings Day) is basically exchanging presents. Kids will prepare a plate with biscuits and milk for the special guests (Three Kings) on the 5th.
Kings Day is probably the most exciting date for kids during the holidays because the Three Kings Parade takes place in Barcelona. The Parade is quite special as the Three Kings arrive by boat and give all sorts of sweets and chocolates from their massive float to everyone. There’s loads going on like flashing lights, music, performances and many themed outfits! As usual, families will have a big feast together and Catalans will have the typical dessert called Roscó de Reis. Check out the cake here.
Here are a few of the most conventional facets of Christmas time in Barcelona.
Firas: Christmas markets in Barcelona
The Firas are one of many major issues to be part of in phrases of traditions round Christmas in Barcelona.
These Christmas markets are discovered all through town. The major two being the Fira de Santa Llucia and Fira de Sagrada Familia. With the Santa Llucia market being positioned in entrance of the attractive Barcelona Cathedral, courting again to 1786, making it the oldest Christmas market in the summer time. The Fira for the Sagrada Familia dates again to the Nineteen Sixties, making it a more moderen market however no much less entertaining!
Here you’ll find a variety of handmade presents that any beloved one would like to obtain. In addition to this, figures that you’ll not wish to miss some conventional Catalonian Christmas. Firstly, with the Caganers, these are miniature collectible figurines that grew to become a part of custom in the 18th century, depicting a follower on the nativity scene. Nowadays you could find Caganers of many well-known individuals, from footballers to politicians!
Secondly, the Caga Tió Nadal is one other piece of historical past related to the festive interval in Barcelona. This is a log with a face on it has legs and, often, from the eighth December turns into a member of the household. The thought is that youngsters depart meals out for the Christmas log, take care of it by wrapping it in a blanket and taking excellent care of it. If the youngsters do that then they’re rewarded with presents on Christmas Day. This Catalan custom is concluded with the burning of the log after Christmas Eve!
Traditional Christmas Food
“Rostit de Nadal” is the primary meals eaten for a Christmas meal in Barcelona, it compromises of roasted rooster, that’s positioned into the oven with different greens and spices, often onions, garlic and, after all, some rum! The dish is sluggish cooked and is served as a juicy and heat meal that basically brings households collectively right now of 12 months in Barcelona.
“Escudella i Carn d`Olla” is one other dish that kinds the catalan Christmas conventional as it’s discovered on the eating desk in Barcelona throughout Christmas. This begins off as a meat broth that comprises rooster, pork and botifarra- a Catalan styled sausage. Then, the meat is cooked with meatballs, or pilota, and as soon as it’s prepared might be drained.
The broth, now separated from the meat is used to prepare dinner some lengthy noodles. At Christmas time massive noodles are used, referred to as Galets, as they give the impression of being as massive as snails! The noodle soup is then served earlier than the meat that could be a major dish accompanied by seasonable greens.
“Turrón or Torró” is among the most well-known Spanish Christmas meals to seek out in Barcelona. It is made out of honey, sugar, egg white and toasted almonds. Once baked, it’s rested into lengthy cubes and loved across the desk as soon as being damaged. The first time Turrón was first made in Spain dates again to the sixteenth Century and since then, it has turn into a conventional Christmas candy that’s loved throughout Barcelona.
Barcelona Shopping Night
A brand new custom that has turn into simply as widespread in Barcelona, is the one night time of late-night procuring on Passeig de Grà cia. Here, on nineteenth December 2019, retailers will reopen from 8pm-1am for final minute procuring. This night time has music and meals on supply, with the road changing into extra like a fiesta than a high-street! It is nice enjoyable and the perfect approach to get these a lot desired Christmas presents for family members.
El Gordo
This is the second longest frequently operating lottery in the world. Beginning in 1812, The massive one, or El Gordo, is the utmost prize of the 12 months. It is widespread to purchase family and friends a ticket for this lottery in the hope that they win El Gordo for Christmas.The first prize is 4,000,000. Yet the primary facet of this lottery is the variety of prizes you’ll be able to win, with many winners named every year. It is a big a part of Christmas custom in Barcelona and, as they are saying, you need to be in it to win it!
Pessebre
Lastly, the Pessebre is a nativity scene that may be seen in Barcelona, and is excessive on most households’ to-do listing as Christmas approaches and it’s not getting a Christmas tree… which is changing into increasingly widespread! Instead, the nativity scene is seen on Plaza Sant Juame and is visited by individuals in their 1000’s. Each 12 months, the designer of the scene modifications, giving the locals an opportunity to take pleasure in a brand new design each Christmas season.
