We asked our readers what’s so special about Christmas in Spain and we received so many comments about your favourite parts of the festive period here.
The holiday season in Spain is well and truly in full swing now in the second week of December and we’re looking ahead to the Spanish traditions we love at this time of year.
Here are just some of the reasons you love spending Christmas in Spain.
READ ALSO: The best Christmas markets in Spain in 2025
Atmosphere
Spain loves to go all out at Christmas, particularly when it comes to twinkly lights, decorations and Nativity scenes or belénes in Spanish and you particularly appreciate this during the festive season.
One reader summed up the vibe really well when they wrote: “I love the belénes everywhere, and the streets, even those without shops, are always lit up… it just feels so happy”.
Another agreed, writing “Love the party atmosphere and the family time the general happiness of everyone”.
While another added: “I love Christmas in Spain. The magic of the lights everywhere, which are amazing every year. The beautiful belén that is built in most towns and cities where we all have to find the man having a caca”, referring to the Catalan tradition of adding a Caganer (a figurine taking dump) to the Nativity scene.
“I love all the parades, lights switch ons and free shows in town centres and shopping centres,” another agreed.
Spain goes all out when it comes to Christmas lights. Photo: JORGE GUERRERO / AFP
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Family and religion
You particularly like that Christmas in Spain is about family, being together and the religious reasons behind the festival.
“The best part of Christmas in Spain is celebrating in every home, singing with friends and family, joy and sharing, always united, where everyone contributes a little of their best,” one reader wrote about their experience here.
“Christmas in Spain is about the culture, the feast days and their history. They love their Christian faith and they show it. Faith and families is what it’s all about” another agreed.
“I’m so happy here and Christmas is a magical time, it’s not overly commercialised and very family orientated which is a beautiful thing,” one read added.
Christmas is all about family in Spain. Photo: Cottonbro Studios / Pexels
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Not as commercialised
In keeping with that theme, most of our readers felt that because of the emphasis on family, togetherness and religious traditions, Christmas is not so commercialised here as it is in some other countries and the hype doesn’t start as early.
“The build-up starts in December or the last weekend in November and not after Halloween. You don’t get ten weeks of band aid, Wham, Pogues etc every store you enter. Also, where I live, there no drunks fighting. The Spanish are at home enjoying a family get together and then the bars reopen in the early hours of the morning,” one reader described about their Christmas experiences here.
“It’s about the Nativity and not as commercially exploited as in some other countries…and roscón de Reyes cake of course!” another added.
“The supermarket aisles are not half the width because they’re not packed with in-your-face-goods….it’s much more low key and less commercial….I love it!” another summed up about the shopping experience.
Some of you, however felt that this aspect of Christmas is slowly changing in Spain as shopping and advertisements are becoming more important.
“Most places switch their lights on in November instead of the end of October… Familia get together and its less about commercial hype, however that is changing as the years go by,” one reader explained.
Christmas is not as commercialised in Spain. Photo: Alexis B / Pexels
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There are two Christmas celebrations here
Although most readers like the fact that Christmas doesn’t start as early here, they love that it lasts longer and that there are two chances to celebrate – one on the 25th and then other for Three Kings’ Day (Día de los Reyes) on January 6th.
“I like Christmas in Spain because it goes on for several days, not like England where you have a buildup for weeks and weeks and then on Boxing Day or the next day at the latest it’s all over. Shops have taken down decorations and put on sales all the atmosphere has gone, whereas in Spain it goes on through New Year into January to Reyes. The lights and decorations stay up for a long time in the towns which is lovely,” one reader summed it up nicely.
“I love that it’s not really over until Three Kings’ Day,” another wrote about their favourite part of Christmas here.
“Roll on 6th January when more gifts are given and fight over the cake (roscón) to see who gets the king this year. Then you can rest before you start preparing for carnival!” another added.
“The Cabalgata, (Three Kings’ Parade) on January 5th …. And buying, sharing and eating the Roscón de Reyes cake!!” one reader wrote, talking about the King’s parades that happen all over the country the night of January 5th.
Many of you love the Three Kings’ parades on January 5th. Photo: Diario de Madrid / Wikimedia Commons
Spaniards associate ‘Spanish Christmas’ with The Three Kings. Photo: Cristina Quicler/AFP
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Christmas in the sunshine
And finally, so many of you love the fact that the sun still shines at Christmas in Spain and that it’s warm enough to celebrate outside.
It seems that many of you are commenting from the Canary Islands, Andalusia and the south of Spain, because sun and Christmas on the beach is a big factor.
It’s important to keep in mind though that northern and central Spain in particular can get very cold and there’s often snow in mountainous areas. Having said that, skies often remain clear and sunny and it’s not so grey and wet.
“It’s amazing. Traditionally everyone goes to the beach on Xmas morning with a bottle of Cava and some snacks. The beach is crowded then later people go for Christmas lunch or dinner. It’s always a sunny day and warm. The restaurants do some wonderful meals sitting on the terraces on the seafront. Last year we barbequed the turkey and ate on our terrace. It’s wonderful in the sunshine,” one reader described their Christmases in Spain.
“I love waking up to the sun, having pre-drinks on the beach, always amazing atmosphere. Xmas dinner on the terrace. I’ve lived here for 22yrs and only had a few rainy Xmas days. Love Xmas in Spain, it’s the best,” wrote another reader.
The best part is “sitting outside in the warm sun drinking cava,” added another.
Another had a similar experience, writing: “On the 25th, we walk on the beach in the sunshine with a picnic of smoked salmon and cava”.
A few readers, on the other hand, mentioned the opportunity for skiing over the Christmas period in Spain.
Festive celebrations on the beach in Mallorca. Photo: Miquel Rosselló Calafell / Pexels
