Spain is a fantastic place to celebrate New Year´s Eve, with its bustling cities like Madrid and Barcelona offering exciting fiestas and celebrations for “Nochevieja” (”old night”). “Las Uvas” The most popular New Year´s Eve tradition is “las doce uvas de la buena suerte“ (the 12 grapes of good luck). At 12 seconds to midnight the countdown begins and each time the bell rings in a new second, millions of Spaniards (sitting at home, at parties and in the streets watching the celebrations) have to eat a grape, for a total of twelve grapes. This tradition is supposed to bring good luck. At the stroke of midnight the cork on the Cava bottle is popped, and people tell each other “Feliz Año Nuevo” and kiss each other on both cheeks.

 The Spanish Christmas Lottery one of the most famous lotteries in the world, known as the Christmas drawing (Sorteo de Navidad) or simply the Christmas Lottery (Lotería de Navidad). The Spanish lottery is also the biggest lottery in the world, based on total prize payout.  The first category payout is known by its Spanish name: El Gordo, meaning “the fat one” or “the big one”.

Christmas is a very religious holiday in Spain. The Christmas season officially begins December 8, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception (Day of the Virgin Mary) Christmas Eve is known as Nochebuena or "the Good Night." It is a time for family members to gather together and feast around the Nativity scenes (BELEN) that are present in nearly every home. A traditional Christmas treat is turrón, a kind of almond candy. December 28 is the feast of the Holy Innocents - los Inocentes. The kids in town light bonfires and one of them acts as the mayor who orders townspeople to perform civic chores such as sweeping the streets. Currently this day is for playing tricks on friends and family. Similar to our April Fool’s Day. The Spanish Christmas is Navidad, people go to church, and may exchange presents but many wait until January 6

LAS POSADAS DICIEMBRE NOCHEBUENA 24 DICIEMBRE  The beginning of the Christmas festivities is marked with Las Posadas, nine consecutive days of candlelight processions and lively parties starting December 16th.  Families gather to re-enact the holy family’s quest for lodging in Bethlehem. The procession is headed by a small plaster Virgin Mary and San José. They are followed by other children portraying angels, the Three kings and pastores (shepherds). The breaking of a piñata is part of this celebration.  Noche Buena is the culmination of the Holiday festivities with the celebration of a midnight mass (Misa de Gallo). Afterwards, families head home for a traditional Christmas supper, which may feature regional dishes.). Roast turkey, ham or suckling pig are popular menu items. The evening is rounded out with the opening of gifts and for the children, piñatas and luces de Belén (sparklers).  These happy family gatherings generally last until dusk and for this reason December 25th is set aside as a day to rest and enjoy leftovers.