It’s December and the magic of Christmas is everywhere in Catalonia. From the endearing Christmas log to the flavours of galette soup, the Catalans have deep-rooted customs that fill the festive season with charm.
During this time of year, the towns and cities of Catalonia are filled with lights, markets and fairs, shows and other Christmas customs.
There are many Christmas traditions in Catalonia that you can enjoy first-hand if you're here over the festive season - read on to find out more!
How is Christmas celebrated in Catalonia?
In most of Spain, the highlight of the Christmas festivities is Christmas Eve, on 24 December. However, this celebration is not typical in Catalonia, where the 24th is not a public holiday and the most important day of Christmas is the 25th December, when all Catalan families gather around the table to taste the typical escudella, the Catalan Christmas soup.
Another unique aspect of Christmas in this region is that 26th December, St. Stephen’s Day, is a public holiday also celebrated with family. This day is observed only in Catalonia, while in the rest of Spain, it is a regular working day. The tradition of St. Stephen’s Day in Catalonia is very similar to Christmas, but it tends to be more low-key, with a menu where cannelloni take centre stage.
Christmas traditions in Catalonia
Below, we highlight some of the most unique elements and Christmas traditions in Catalonia that you should know about.
The Caga Tió or Christmas Log
The Catalan Yule log is surely one of the most interesting traditions of Catalan culture. The famous Caga Tió is a wooden log with a painted face that is covered with a blanket and fed during the weeks leading up to Christmas Eve. The aim is that, when the date arrives, the Tió "defecates" presents and sweets for the whole family. To achieve this, the children sing traditional songs and hit the tree trunk with a stick. Some families go to the forest to look for their own Tió every year, making it a fun tradition for the little ones.
Els pastorets (Little shepherds)
One of the essential elements of Christmas in Catalonia, the pastorets are theatrical representations with a Christmas theme, always around the first Christmas and the birth of the baby Jesus, where shepherds usually appear in comical situations.
Living nativity scenes
Another of the most typical traditions that can be enjoyed in Catalonia during Christmas are the living nativity scenes, representations of the Nativity that are performed with people in costume. They are very common at Christmas fairs in Catalonia. One of the most famous is undoubtedly the nativity scene in Castell d'Aro, the oldest in the region, where approximately 300 people take part, a spectacle that is well worth a visit!
The Caganer figure
Another peculiar Christmas character in Catalonia is the Caganer, a figure that appears in the nativity scene next to the Nativity of Jesus. The Caganer is traditionally a peasant with the traditional Catalan cap (barretina) who is bent over doing his business. However, nowadays Caganers of all kinds of famous people such as politicians, singers, footballers, fictional characters... are created as a reflection of current world events.
Christmas Carols or nadales
As in the rest of the world, there are many traditional Christmas songs in Catalonia, known as nadales, which are sung in the days leading up to the festive season. Some of the most popular ones include El Noi de la Mare and Fum, fum, fum.
Traditional Christmas food in Catalonia
What is the traditional Christmas cuisine in Catalonia? These are the most typical dishes, which are accompanied by the traditional turrones, polvorones and Christmas sweets, as well as wine and cava.
Christmas escudella
The soup of galets or Christmas escudella is the most typical Catalan Christmas dish. It is a delicious broth made with vegetables, poultry and high-quality meat, accompanied by a thick shell-shaped pastry. Catalan Christmas soup usually includes a ball of minced meat and garlic, and is enriched with sausage, ham and pork parts. It is a very comforting winter dish that takes many hours of work.
St. Stephen's cannelloni
On 26th December, St. Stephen’s Day, a public holiday in Catalonia, cannelloni filled with leftovers from the escudella soup and other meats served at Christmas are traditionally enjoyed. This typical Christmas meal in Catalonia is served in most homes, although few families actually use the leftovers to make cannelloni. It is usual to prepare the filling several days in advance.
12 grapes on New Year’s Eve
As in the rest of Spain, in Catalonia it is a tradition to end the year eating 12 grapes to the sound of the first twelve strokes of midnight. This is a symbol of good luck and economic fortune for the coming year. The tradition comes from a very curious fact: in 1909 there was a surplus in the grape harvest and citizens were encouraged to say goodbye to the year in this way. Spaniards usually eat the grapes while watching special programmes on TV where the chimes are broadcast.
Tortell de Reis
On 6th January, during the Epiphany celebrations, it is traditional to enjoy Tortell de Reis, a sweet pastry filled with marzipan or cream that contains a hidden bean. Whoever finds the bean in their slice must pay for the tortell. There are also figurines of the Three Wise Men hidden inside, with each one rewarded with a crown for the finder.
Your hotel for Christmas in Catalonia
If you are looking for hotels to spend Christmas in Catalonia, we invite you to stay at the hotel Mas de Torrent, where you will experience an unforgettable Christmas with the best traditions in an idyllic setting.
Discover our plans for Christmas in Costa Brava, featuring cosy dinners by the fireplace, wine tastings, Christmas workshops, and local traditions like St. Stephen’s Day cannelloni.
In the restaurant of our 5-star hotel and spa you can enjoy exclusive Christmas Eve, Christmas and New Year's Eve menus, including the typical escudella, St. Stephen's cannelloni, nougat and other Christmas sweets. We also offer a New Year’s Brunch to kick off the year with a complete and delicious breakfast.
Check out our Christmas menu for groups, perfect for company dinners or family gatherings.
