Celebrating New Year’s Eve and Three Kings Day on the Costa Brava

Celebrations on New Year’s Eve begin Catalonia’s festive countdown to the season’s close on Three Kings Day.

New Year’s Eve celebrations. Photo by Oleksandr Pidvalnyi

As the year comes to a close and the festive season continues into the first week of January, the Costa Brava keeps the celebrations alive with New Year’s Eve and the traditional Spanish holiday of Three Kings Day, marking the end of the Christmas season. Each event brings its own unique customs, from eating grapes at midnight to watching the grand Three Kings parades. Here’s everything you need to know to celebrate New Year’s Eve and Three Kings Day on the Costa Brava.

New Year’s Eve on the Costa Brava: traditions and celebrations

New Year’s Eve – known as nit de cap d’any in Catalonia or Nochevieja in Spanish – is celebrated throughout Spain with festive traditions and gatherings, and the Costa Brava is no exception. Locals and visitors alike join in the traditional customs and find the best spots along the coast to welcome the new year.

Twelve Grapes

One of Spain’s New Year’s Eve traditions is eating “twelve grapes of luck” at midnight. The tradition involves eating one grape with each of the twelve chimes of the clock, starting at midnight, to ensure good luck for the twelve months ahead. Originating in the early 20th century, this tradition has since become a fun and slightly challenging way to start the new year with friends and family.

To participate in the grape-eating ritual, it’s wise to use small, seedless grapes and have them ready in advance and you can even buy tins of grapes for the occasion! In Spain, many watch the live broadcast from Madrid’s Puerta del Sol, following the clock’s chimes for each grape, although most Catalans tune into TV3 to watch a similar live broadcast from Barcelona. Locals on the Costa Brava may gather in restaurants, central squares, at beachside bars, or at home to take part in this tradition and partying can go on well into the early hours of New Year’s Day.

Where to Celebrate New Year’s Eve on the Costa Brava

The Costa Brava has plenty of options for celebrating New Year’s Eve, from lively public events to private parties at restaurants and hotels. Here are some top spots to join the festivities.

Girona, known for its historic architecture and vibrant arts scene, is one of the Costa Brava’s best spots to celebrate New Year’s Eve. The city hosts public gatherings with music, dancing, and fireworks displays, especially around the central areas like Plaça de la Independència and near the Cathedral. Many restaurants in the old town offer special New Year’s Eve menus, where diners can enjoy traditional Catalan cuisine before heading outside to ring in the new year.

For a coastal celebration, Blanes offers a laid-back atmosphere and beautiful beachfront views. The town’s bars and restaurants often hold New Year’s Eve events with live music, themed parties, and special dinners. Many locals and tourists gather near the beach to enjoy the fireworks that light up the sky over the Mediterranean. Blanes’ scenic coast and relaxed vibe make it a great choice for families and groups looking for a memorable yet casual New Year’s Eve.

Roses is another popular coastal destination with plenty of options for New Year’s Eve dining and celebrations. The town’s many seafront restaurants and hotels often organise special New Year’s Eve packages that include multi-course meals, drinks, and live entertainment. After dinner, visitors can gather along the waterfront to watch the midnight fireworks and join in the festive atmosphere. For those who prefer to celebrate outdoors, Roses offers an ideal setting with views of the bay and a lively yet relaxed crowd.

Dining and nightlife on New Year’s Eve

New Year’s Eve on the Costa Brava wouldn’t be complete without a festive dinner, known locally as cotillón. Many restaurants and hotels prepare elaborate multi-course menus featuring Catalan and Spanish dishes, along with a glass of cava to toast the new year. The cotillón packages usually include party favours, live music, and even dancing to keep the celebration going into the early hours.

For those looking to dance the night away, towns like Lloret de Mar are known for their vibrant nightlife and offer clubs and discos with New Year’s Eve parties. Some venues even host themed events, so it’s worth checking local listings for parties that may suit your style, whether it’s an intimate lounge or a bustling nightclub.

Three Kings Day

In Catalonia, the festive season extends well into January with the celebration of Three Kings Day, or Dia de Reis, on 6th January. This holiday, which commemorates the visit of the Three Wise Men to baby Jesus, is when children finally receive their gifts. Marking the end of the Christmas season, it’s a time for family gatherings, gift-giving, and grand parades.

The Three Kings parades

The highlight of Three Kings Day is the Cavalcada de Reis, or Three Kings Parade, held on the evening of 5th January. In towns across the Catalonia the Three Kings arrive on elaborate floats, accompanied by musicians, dancers, and entertainers. The Kings—Melchior, Gaspar, and Balthazar—throw sweets to children lining the streets, creating an atmosphere of excitement and joy. Families bring bags to catch the treats, and children watch the Kings make their grand entrance.

Where to watch the parades on the Costa Brava

Girona’s Three Kings Parade is one of the biggest and most elaborate on the Costa Brava. Thousands of people line the streets to watch the procession wind through the historic old town, with the best views near the Cathedral and Plaça de la Independència. The parade features colourful costumes, live music, and dancers who add to the festive atmosphere.

In the coastal town of Palamós, the Three Kings often arrive by boat, creating a unique maritime twist on the traditional parade. The Kings disembark at the port and make their way through the town on floats, distributing sweets to the crowds. Palamós’ parade has a friendly, community-oriented feel, making it a perfect choice for families with young children.

Blanes also hosts a popular Three Kings Parade, where the procession makes its way along the main streets, with locals and visitors alike joining in the celebration. Blanes’ parade is known for its creativity and the vibrant costumes of the participants, offering a magical experience to cap off the holiday season.

Tortell de Reis: the King’s Cake

On the morning of 6th January, many families gather to enjoy Tortell de Reis, a traditional sweet bread decorated with candied fruit and sometimes filled with cream or marzipan. The tortell has a hidden figurine and a fava bean inside—whoever finds the figurine is crowned “king” or “queen” for the day, while the person who finds the bean has to buy the next tortell. This delicious cake is often enjoyed with a cup of hot chocolate, adding a sweet touch to the final day of the holiday season.

Catalonia’s festive farewell

Celebrating New Year’s Eve and Three Kings Day on the Costa Brava is a unique experience that combines local traditions, festive gatherings, and delicious food. From eating 12 grapes at midnight on New Year’s Eve to watching the grand Three Kings Parades and enjoying a slice of roscón, these events bring joy and warmth to the Costa Brava in winter.

Whether you’re welcoming the new year with fireworks over the Mediterranean or catching sweets at the Three Kings Parade, the Costa Brava offers an unforgettable way to close out the holiday season. Embrace the traditions, explore the local celebrations, and make memories that will bring you good luck all year long.

Tags: Cap d'Any, Catalonia, Dia de Reis, New Year, New Year's Eve, Three Kings