This blog post was originally posted on November 17, 2014 and was updated on November 10, 2017.<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Though Spain celebrates many of the same holiday traditions as the rest of Europe and the western world, many of theirs are uniquely Spanish, and here in Barcelona, you can also find special customs specific to Catalonia.<\/h3>\n

In fact, you could even say that some of these Christmas traditions in Barcelona will probably surprise you a lot more than you’d expect!<\/p>\n

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The Special Days During the Holiday Season<\/h2>\n

The holiday season here in Spain and Catalonia stretches out much longer than what many countries are used to. That’s because of the 6th of January. The Epiphany<\/a>, is one of the main holidays. A brief mention of the special days during the\u00a0holiday season would include:<\/p>\n

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• La Immaculada<\/em>, or the Immaculate Conception. It is not necessarily known as a special occasion. Although it is a recognized holiday and is traditionally known as the first day of the festive season.<\/li>\n
• Nit de Nadal<\/em>,\u00a0or Christmas Eve. This is positively a day of family and feasting. It is also one of small gifts from one of the most beloved Catalan Christmas characters. The Ti\u00f3 de Nadal (see below).<\/li>\n
• Nadal<\/em>,\u00a0or Christmas day, is another day of a big feast with family. Though not typical of Catalonia or Spain, some families nowadays will recognize Santa Claus. Christmas traditions in Barcelona have evolved to become more European in recent years.<\/li>\n
• Sant Esteve<\/em>,\u00a0or Saint Stephen’s Day. Obviously, this falls on the day after Christmas and is also a holiday here in Catalonia. Traditionally, people eat cannelloni<\/a> at home, made with the leftovers of Christmas lunch.<\/li>\n
• Cap d’Any<\/em>, or New Years, is just as big of a celebration as any. Suprisingly though don’t expect fireworks in the Catalan capital.<\/li>\n
• Reis<\/em>,\u00a0or Three Kings Day, falls every year on the 6th of January. There is a parade, and children usually open presents brought to them by the different kings.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

  Now that we have the important days figured out, throughout the holiday season, keep your eye out for these other Christmas traditions in Barcelona.<\/p>\n

  Caganer<\/h2>\n

  Christmas trees, lights, and mistletoe are all part of the holiday decorations. Although the people of Spain are, in general, most passionate about their nativity scenes, known as belenes\u00a0<\/em>or\u00a0pesebres.<\/em>\u00a0Here in Catalonia, however, this tradition is taken to the next level. Here in Catalonia we have a slight obsession with one of the figurines that no nativity scene would be complete without\u2014the\u00a0caganer.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

  The caganer<\/em>, literally the shitter, depicts one of the village folk dropping his pants and relieving himself among the other townspeople and animals present at the birth of Christ. He is so popular, plays such a key role in Christmas tradition, that you will find him everywhere throughout the month of December. That includes souvenir shops, Christmas markets<\/a>, even the official City Hall nativity scene has one. Furthermore, expect to find famous personas, anyone from Barrack Obama to Lionel Messi, depicted as the caganer<\/em>.<\/p>\n

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