From the Christmas Lottery draw to the exciting arrival of the Three Kings, discover the customs.

The celebration of Christmas in Spain is wonderful! It starts on December 22nd with the Christmas Lottery draw, which is a whole tradition. The festive atmosphere is felt everywhere, with decorated streets, bright lights, and Christmas markets selling sweets, crafts, and gifts.

Christmas Eve, on December 24th, is when families gather to enjoy a special dinner. The typical dish is usually lamb, seafood, or turkey, followed by sweets like nougat, shortbread, and marzipan. After dinner, many people attend the Midnight Mass, a religious tradition that marks the birth of Jesus.

Christmas Day, on December 25th, is usually spent with family. Some exchange gifts that day, but the main tradition is St. Stephen's Day, on December 26th, when more gift exchanges take place.

The Christmas season in Spain continues until Three Kings' Day on January 6th when children receive gifts from the Three Wise Men. It's a very special celebration, with parades in many cities to welcome the Kings.

Christmas in Spain is filled with charming traditions and deeply rooted customs. Here are some of the most prominent:

1. The Nativity Scene: Setting up the nativity scene is a deeply rooted tradition. Families recreate the birth of Jesus with figures and representations, and it's common to visit public nativity scenes, which are often true works of art.
2. The Christmas Lottery Draw: On December 22nd, this draw, which is a national tradition, takes place. People buy lottery tickets and dream of winning the "Gordo," the biggest prize.
3. Christmas Eve: The dinner on December 24th is an important family gathering. Traditional dishes like lamb, seafood, turkey, along with nougat, shortbread, and marzipan, are prepared.
4. Midnight Mass: On the night of the 24th, many people attend church for the Midnight Mass, which commemorates the birth of Jesus.
5. Christmas Day: December 25th is celebrated with family gatherings, and some exchange gifts on this day.
6. St. Stephen's Day: On December 26th, some regions of Spain celebrate this day with more gift exchanges.
7. Three Kings' Day: The arrival of the Three Kings on January 6th is one of the most exciting festivities for children. On the night of January 5th, the Kings parade through cities, and children leave their shoes to receive gifts.
8. Three Kings' Parade: On January 5th, cities organize colorful and magical parades where the Three Kings distribute candies and gifts.

These are just some of the customs that make Christmas in Spain so special and joyous. Each region has its own traditions and variations, making it even more diverse and exciting.