Take your Christmas Holidays in Spain - Tue 12th October 2010
Christmas holidays in Spain
Ditch the commercial frenzy in Britain. Celebrate Christmas in Spain - Spanish style. With deeply religious foundations, there are breathtaking church services, elaborate nativity scenes and a genuine family feel. And some fabulous Christmas holiday deals.
But don't imagine a country bound by staid, austere tradition. You'll find it hard to match the number and range of spectacular fiestas spilling onto the streets of Javea, Denia, Moraira and Calpe this season.
Spanish Christmas traditions
Get in the mood with a visit to the Nativity Scene Museum (Museo de Belenes) in Alicante. This quirky little treasure trove on Calle San Augustin houses hundreds of nativity scenes and figures from around the world.
Christmas Eve/ Nochebuena - 24 December
For everyone
Follow the sound of the church bells at midnight summoning you to the local church for the Misa de Gallo, the Mass of the Rooster. Join in the raucous revelry on the route home as churchgoers sing and make music in the street.
Christmas Day/ Día de Navidad - 25 December
For families
Relax at your luxury villa, sipping cava beside the pool whilst lunch cooks. Rent villas in Javea, Moraira or Calpe for a great escape. Visit Benidorm if access to non-stop entertainment is more your style.
Holy Innocents/ Día de los Santos Inocentes- 28 December
For jokers
Watch out for pranks on this day! Youngsters light bonfires and order villagers to carry out civic duties such as sweeping the streets. Anyone refusing to comply must pay a fine, handily funding the celebration.
New Year's Eve/ Nochevieja - 31 December
For youngsters
The party tends to start at midnight and go on until sunrise. Street parties abound. Tradition has it that wearing new, red underwear brings good luck, as does eating twelve grapes as each chime for midnight strikes.
The calvalcade/ La Cabalgata - 5 January
Three Kings day or Epiphany/ Los Reyes Magos - 6 January
For children
Processions snake through on the evening before the Epiphany and three wise men in sumptuous costumes throw sweets to wide-eyed children and crowds lining the streets. Children wake the next morning to discover their shoes crammed with presents.
Christmas holiday deals
The good news? Christmas getaways are incredibly good value. Find cheap flights and book your villa now. Let the celebrations begin!
Have you enjoyed celebrating Christmas in Spain on the Costa Blanca or discovered any other Spain Christmas traditions? Email stories and pictures of your favourite Spain Christmas to blog@villaspain.co.uk
Posted by Bruce Gibson
