For many of us in the western world December means Christmas and the Costa Brava is no exception.
But while you won’t see any Christmas lights until December has actually arrived two pubic holidays a week into the month get things off to an early start.
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That’s when the shopping season really gets underway and the stores and shopping malls start to get really packed.
Many towns have markets selling a variety of gifts and seasonal items including nativity scenes, an unusual character for the crib and a Catalan Christmas log. The festive season is also when the biggest lottery of the year takes place, on 22nd December.
You can read about all this below.
What’s on in December
While Christmas doesn’t start as early in Catalonia as it does in the UK, it does seem to be creeping earlier and earlier each year. That said, you’ll never see Christmas lights illuminated before December.
Christmas in Catalonia is probably quite different to what you’re used to. The holiday period here is celebrated with some pretty weird and wonderful traditions, which you can read about here.
Key dates
December has a number of holidays leading up to Christmas, finishing in January with the Three Kings. Below are a list of important dates that include both Spanish and Catalan holidays, as well as other notable days:
6th December: Constitution Day (Spanish holiday).
8th December: Holiday, Immaculate Conception.
22nd December: The Christmas lottery, El Gordo, is drawn.
25th December: Christmas Day (Spanish holiday). Traditionally carn d’olla was eaten, but these days turkey is more common.
26th December: St Stephen’s Day/Boxing Day (Catalan holiday).
28th December: Els Sants Inocents (Day of the innocents, similar to April Fools Day)
31st December: New Year’s Eve. Celebrations include eating 12 grapes in the countdown to midnight and toasting the New Year with cava. Many restaurants offer a special menu de cap d’any which often includes live music to dance your way into the early hours.
1st January: New Year’s Day (Spanish holiday). A day to recover!
January 5th: Three Kings. Children traditionally receive their presents on this day and many towns and villages have parades with the kings showering the kids with sweets.
Sant Feliu de Guíxols: Temps d’uriços
Normally Sant Feliu holds a gastronomic campaign every year around sea urchins, known locally as uriços. The campaign runs between December and February. This year it has been cancelled because of the low number of sea urchins.
Christmas markets
You’ll find a Christmas market in most towns (if not all) during weekends and holidays throughout December. Here you’ll find nativity figurines, caganers and tiós, nougat and other bits and pieces useful as stocking fillers.
El Gordo: the Spanish Christmas lottery
Often known as El Gordo, the Spanish Christmas lottery is the biggest in the world. The total 2017 payout amounted to €2.13 billion with a jackpot of €720 million. El Gordo is drawn on 22nd December each year but due to the way in which it is structured the jackpot is divided among many winners.
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