If you ever wondered about the 12 days of Christmas, you’ll find something extra to celebrate in Spain. Everything is celebrated – from Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, Sant Esteve (26th December), el dia de los Inocentes (28th December), New Year’s Eve and La Cabalgata de Reyes – or the parade of the Three Kings on the evening of 5th January, followed by the Kings Day (6th January) – the traditional day for giving gifts.
Catalan traditions
El Tio de Nadal…beating an old log for presents.
If you have friends with young children you are likely to come across the Tió.
Caga, tió
De mel i de mató
Traditional song
no caguis avellanes
que no ens agraden
caga torrons
que són molt bons.
Street decorations and Christmas markets
Christmas lights go on at the end of November and stay in place till early January. There are usually nativity scenes set up in each Church and many events organised to mark the Christmas period. Shopping is a big part of Christmas – decorations and ornaments, food, gifts and clothing.
There is a Christmas market in front of the Cathedral – la Fira de Santa Llucia.
The market runs from 25 November until 23 December. This is a good place to buy a real Christmas Tree if you don’t like plastic ones, Christmas decorations, ornaments and some typical food.
Across the other side of Via Laietana is the Mercat de Santa Caterina. In the pre-Christmas period the market does a busy trade as people stock up on everything they will need.
Christmas shopping
The most popular shopping areas in the centre of the city include Portal d’Angel, just off Plaza Catalunya, which runs down to the Cathedral, Passeig de Gracia and Rambla Catalunya, which is the next street over – with an impressive collection of luxury brands and upper Diagonal including L’Illa shopping centre.
If you are looking for top brands you won’t be disappointed. But its fun to explore and discover those shops which are unique to the city. One of my favourites is Raima, a multilevel stationery shop on Career Comtal, 27 – between Via Laietana and Portal d’Angel.
