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On twenty-fourth december he goes down to give presents to the kids, he has two helpers one is a woman called Mari Domingi and the other is a donkey, usually they go with him. Usually Olentzero is smoking a pipe.

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The Olentzero is a coalman who lives in the forests of Basque Country and Navarra

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They also have their own special Christmas tree , the Pohutukawa. It can grow to be a very large tree and has bright red flowers which are popular decorations and feature on Christmas cards.

Celia , Sara and Xian

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It has its origin in San Juan de la Arena, a town where this tradition was born in 2008 with the aim of promoting a Christmas closer to the Asturian tradition. On the night of December 24, this 'angulero' approaches the houses, especially in the area where it was created, to leave gifts for the little ones.

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AUSTRALIA:
Traditions: It is very typical to celebrate Christmas in thriller beach and in swim suit and it is laso very typical to make snowmans of sand
Interesting fact: it is a dar thanks it is call Boxing day and it is teje black Friday of Australia
Manuel y alejandro

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Is tradition in Maldivas to celebrate on Christmas an event called Jaafay. It is a festival where a hostess island invite some people of the other island and they give to the others presents.
Food: Is typical eat Mashuni which is a typical salad with fish, vegetables and tropical fruits. Also smoothies and tropical drinks.
Irene, Elsa and Adriana.
4º of eso

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In PAPUA they gather around the tree to sing "silent night, night of love"

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This character is from Cantabria. Basically is the Santa of Cantabria. He is a lumber jack and delivers presents on the 6th of January. He is strong, has a hat and a beard. He smokes on a pipe and has got a helper called Donkey.

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Tío de Nadal, soca de Nadal or tronca de Nadal is a catalán and aragonese tradition

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He's a mitic figure of a coalman he is represented smoking a pipe

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The l'angulere is the Santa Claus from Asturias ,Spain

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This is a Galicia's character it's like a Santa Claus.He can be called Pandigueiro too! He delivers his presents on Christmas Eve.

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Christmas is perhaps the most traditional, family-oriented celebration in the whole world, and in Spain it lasts until 6th January. Visiting the country between the middle of December and the start of the New Year is a time that's always full of lovely moments for sharing. Here are five of the most popular Christmas traditions in Spain.

1."El Gordo" Christmas lottery

The Christmas time festivities kick-start in Spain on 22nd December with the National Christmas Lottery. The first prize is popularly known as "El Gordo". Participation is massive and the draw is closely followed throughout the morning. It has a peculiarity that makes it very special, the winning numbers are sung by children in an unmistakable chant. The prize money is very well spread out and the winners usually celebrate their glory in the street.

2. Meals bursting with Christmas flavours and lots of sweet treats

Christmas is a time for lavish meals with family and friends. The most special night is 24th December, Christmas Eve, when restaurants and hotels offer extraordinary menus to celebrate it in a big way. The meals normally include several starters, for example, Ibérico ham, seafood and delicious cheeses, followed by dishes such as soups, roast meat, fish or stuffed turkey. And to finish, sweet treats and desserts, the true stars of the Christmas dinner table. Turron, marzipan, Spanish sweets, shortbread and naturally, Epiphany cake are all delicacies not to be missed. You can learn more about Christmas food in Spain in this article.

3. Colourful Christmas lights

The festive lights in Spain are a delight for children and adults alike. Cities like Madrid, Barcelona, Malaga and Vigo have perhaps been the most eye-catching in recent years, but from the end of November, it is usual for all towns and cities to light up their streets with colours and Christmas motifs. In fact, a great idea to enjoy Christmas is to take a night-time stroll through the Christmas markets and Nativity scenes, wrapped up warm and with a handful of roast chestnuts from a street vendor.

4. The 12 most festive grapes of the year

This tradition promises luck and an original way to see in the New Year. It consists of eating 12 grapes as the clock strikes 12 on New Year's Eve. The idea is to eat one grape for each chime to welcome in the New Year. You can follow the chimes of the famous Puerta del Sol clock in Madrid on television, live at the Puerta del Sol or in the iconic landmark where this tradition is celebrated in your destination. Any of these options are perfect for ringing in the New Year Spanish style.

5. A magical night full of excitement

On the night of 6th January the Three Wise Men arrive from the East and bring presents to all the children. It is traditional for every child to write a letter to the Wise Men beforehand telling them how they have behaved all year and requesting gifts. Special mailboxes are placed in shopping centres and leisure spaces for posting these letters and the 'royal pages' make frequent appearances to collect them by hand. Finally, on the afternoon of 5th January, the Wise Men arrive in all the cities in fun processions and parades through the streets to the delight of all the children. Then, after an early night and waiting excitedly for the morning to arrive, they finally get to open their presents. Their names are Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar and they magically enter all the houses through the windows, balconies and chimneys during the night.

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Christmas in Spain: the traditions | spain.info

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Are you preparing a trip for Christmas? Choose Spain and experience Christmas through its traditions. | spain.info

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Los niños ya están nerviosos, queda bien poquito para que esos personajes mágicos que se acercan a las casas la madrugada del 25 de diciembre o el 6 de enero vengan a visitarlos mientras duermen y les dejen un regalo si se han portado bien. Muchos pequeños ya han escrito sus cartas, otros todavía están señalando el "me lo pido" en catálogos o, directamente, en las tiendas. Los sabios de Oriente y el anciano bonachón que vive en Laponia se encuentran con un aluvión de peticiones en todo el mundo que puede ser difícil de atender.

Pero no sólo los Reyes Magos y Papá Noel traen regalos a los chiquillos españoles en fechas navideñas, estos personajes barbudos tienen competidores -o ayudantes, según como se mire- en distintas regiones de España. En FCINCO os presentamos a cinco de estos seres mágicos que se acercarán a las casas a dejar presentes a los niños buenos en estas fechas.

1. Tió de Nadal

WIKIPEDIA

El Tió de Nadal, también conocido como Tronco de Navidad o La Toza, es un personaje procedente de la mitología catalana y aragonesa que la noche del 25 de diciembre defeca regalos y dulces para los más pequeños.

Se trata de una tradición que se celebra en zonas de Aragón, Cataluña y Andorra. Normalmente al principio del Adviento, se coge un tronco y cada noche se le deja comida y se le tapa con una manta para que no pase frio.

Al llegar la Nochebuena, los niños de la casa lo golpean con bastones para que expulse los regalos por debajo de la manta mientras cantan canciones como: "Caga tió, caga turrón, y si no cagas, te daré un golpe de bastón".

2. El Esteru

PINTEREST

Este personaje es un leñador bonachón que, coincidiendo con el día de Reyes, lleva regalos y sobretodo, alegría a los niños de Cantabria. El Esteru, que siempre va acompañado de su hacha y su bastón, representa la bondad y el bien en la Tierra, es de complexión fuerte, tiene boina, pipa y barba.

La figura se remonta a la tradición y mitología cántabras. Junto a su fiel ayudante, el burru, corta madera durante todo el año, excepto en Navidad, cuando dedica sus esfuerzos a fabricar juguetes para regalar a los niños.

3. Olentzero

airaldea.com

El Olentzero es un carbonero que vive aislado en un bosque disfrutando de la buena comida y la buena bebida. Cuando llega la Navidad baja desde las montañas para llevar regalos a los niños de Euskal Herria.

El origen de este personaje se remonta a la mitología navarra, en un principio anunciaba la llegada de Jesucristo. El día 24 de diciembre reparte regalos, principalmente en País Vasco, a los niños que se han portado bien.

4. Apalpador o Pandigueiro

apalpador.net

El Apalpador, también conocido por el nombre de Pandigueiro, es el personaje que lleva regalos a los más pequeños en la zona este de Galicia.

La noche del 24 de Diciembre o del 31 de diciembre -dependiendo de la tradición de cada familia- este carbonero baja de los montes a tocar el vientre a los niños para ver si han comido suficientemente durante el año, dejando un montón de castañas, eventualmente algún regalo y deseándoles que tengan un año nuevo lleno de felicidad y comida.

5. L'Anguleru

WIKIPEDIA

Hasta Asturias llega este peculiar personaje en nochebuena, un pescador de angulas que atraca su barco en algunas zonas del Principado y deja regalos a los más pequeños.

Tiene su origen en San Juan de la Arena, localidad donde nació esta tradición en 2008 con el objetivo de potenciar una Navidad más cercana a la tradición asturiana. La noche del 24 de diciembre este ' angulero' se acerca a las casas, especialmente de la zona donde se creó, para dejar regalos a los más pequeños.

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Los niños ya están nerviosos, queda bien poquito para que esos personajes mágicos que se acercan a las casas la madrugada del 25 de diciembre o el 6 de enero vengan a visitarlos mientras duermen y les dejen un regalo si se han portado bien.

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Christmas really is the most wonderful time of the year. All around the world people celebrate the holiday and enjoy the festive period, and Spain is no different in that regard. However, Christmas and the New Year in Spain are are somewhat unique in many ways: here the locals have many of their own Spanish Christmas traditions, including typically Spanish Christmas decorations, activities and New Year customs that may be a bit surprising to foreigners. We've put together some of the weirdest, wackiest and most typical Spanish Christmas traditions.

What is Christmas called in Spain?

Before we get into the nitty gritty of the most wonderful Spanish Christmas traditions, most of which take place between 24th December and 6th January, you may need to know what Christmas is called in Spain. Spain truly comes alive to celebrate Christmas, or " Navidad" in Spanish. However Spain's various regions with their own languages of course have their own ways of wishing a " Feliz Navidad"; if you visit Catalonia then it's ' Bon Nadal'; in Galicia ' Bo Nadal' and in the Basque Country the locals will say ' Eguberri on'.

There is no Santa Claus in Spain

Traditionally, there is no Santa Claus in Spain and Spanish people have never celebrated Father Christmas coming to town in December, although it is becoming more common. Instead, the presents are usually delivered to children on 6th January by the Reyes Magos, the Three Wise Men. This means Spanish typically kids have to wait a full twelve days more than most of us to receive their gifts, although nowadays this is starting to change, and many get Christmas presents on both Christmas Day and 6th January, which is the Feast of the Epiphany.

What's more, the Reyes Magos parade down the streets of every town, village and city in Spain on the evening of 5th January every year, riding on impressive parade floats and throwing sweets and candy to the children. This parade, known as the 'cabalgata', is a Spanish Christmas tradition you simply can't miss. Because of the pandemic, many of these wonderful cabalgatas have been cancelled in recent years, but in 2023 they're back in style, to provide a unique spectacle that you won't find elsewhere.

The fat lottery

Pretty much every Spanish person plays the lottery at Christmas, often buying a tenth of a ticket and playing the same numbers as their group of friends or coworkers. This special Christmas lottery is called 'El gordo', or 'the fat one', and the numbers are normally announced throughout the whole morning of 22nd December on live TV. Not only that, but local school children sing the winning numbers and jackpot totals!

Spaniards eat grapes to celebrate New Year

December is here and the clock is counting down to the New Year, and in every household in Spain, people will be holding a handful of 12 grapes to say goodbye to 2022. And instead of shouting "Happy New Year!" and kissing each other, Spaniards are busy trying to eat twelve grapes before the twelve chimes of midnight are over. If you don't manage to eat them all, they say you'll have bad luck for the following year. You might not be superstitious, but best get all those New Year swallowed down for a lucky 2023... just in case!

Christmas food in Spain

We all know that Spain does great food, and at Christmas they have some great festive specialities. Traditional Spanish Christmas food is eaten throughout December, but the main Christmas meal normally takes place on 24th December, Christmas Eve, and while of course they eat the obligatory Serrano ham, seafood and fish also play a big part in the menu, especially king prawns, which might seem odd to some anglophones on the Christmas table.

For dessert, there is almond sweet turrón which is like nougat, and the star of the show, the Roscón de Reyes, a cake filled with whipped cream with candied fruits on top and a bean and a figurine baked inside. This is traditionally eaten on 6th January, and if you get the slice with the little toy, you win the honour of wearing a crown, but if your slice contains a bean, you'll have to pay for next year's roscón!

Portal de Belén

The portal de Belén is a common Spanish Christmas decoration, with many shops, local councils and homes setting one up. But what is a portal de Belén? As Spain is traditionally a Catholic country, many believers choose to remember the original meaning of Christmas and display these models of Bethlehem, scenes which use small models and figures to represent the Nativity Scene of the birth of Jesus. It can be as simple as just Mary, Joseph and the baby Jesus in his manger. However, many people go all out with huge and elaborate structures showing the desert, the town, the 3 Wise Men, shepherds, and even in some cases 'caganer', a tiny figurine of a guy pooping on the floor.

The Caga Tió

Christmas in Catalonia is the sight of some traditions that areunique to the region and the region is home to some of Spain's strangest Christmas traditions: here, they have their own peculiar scatological Christmas tradition - a log decorated with a face and legs that is kept in the house or garden, and covered with a blanket so it doesn't get cold. It's called the 'Caga Tió', the pooing log. On Christmas Day, Catalan children smack the log with sticks, singing a song that implores it to defecate sweets for them. Then they peel back the blanket and find all the candy and sweet treats they were hoping for!

The Basque Santa Claus

Meanwhile, Christmas in the Basque Country has its own version of Santa Clause who only exists in that region. His name is Olentzero, and he's a giant who dresses in peasant's clothing, smokes a pipe, and on the night of 23rd December in Bilbao, he travels along the Gran Via towards the Arriaga Theatre, ready to leave presents for local children on Christmas Eve.

April Fools' in December

Many cultures share the tradition of a day set aside for playing pranks and making jokes. While in the UK and many other cultures, we are used to having April Fools' Day on 1st April, Spain is different and they do it on 28th December with the Día de los Santos Inocentes. Watch your back if you're in Spain on this day, because you might be in for a surprise at any moment.

Midnight mass in Spain

The Wise Kings on the Epiphany, the Nativity scene, the Innocent Saints Day... all these Spanish Christmas traditions come from the fact that Spain is a traditionally Catholic country, and it is common practice for people to go to church on Christmas Eve after their big Christmas dinner for the 'misa del gallo' at midnight. In this midnight mass, Spanish people reaffirm their faith and praise the birth of Jesus Christ on Christmas Day.

So, now you know all about the wonderful Christmas and New Year traditions in Spain, there's nothing stopping you from celebrating these holidays in true Spanish style wherever you are spending Christmas this year. Have a wonderful Spanish Christmas! ¡Feliz navidad!

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What are the Christmas traditions in Spain?

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Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year, and Spain is no different. But Spanish Christmas decorations and activities and New Year customs may be a bit surprising. Here are the weirdest and wackiest Christmas and New Year celebrations in Spain.