This is the Christmas decoration by the Aqueduct in Segovia this year.
Christmas is near. Our Christmas holidays start on 23rd December. The last day of this term we’ll have a Christmas festival, we have prepared some carols, dances and plays.
This is how we celebrate Christmas in our country, though there are different beliefs and each family has their own traditions:
Christmas in Spain, as in many countries around the world, is an important celebration. In December towns are decorated with lights, Christmas trees and Nativity scenes.These are the special dates we celebrate:
- 24th December (Nochebuena): On Christmas Eve families get together and have a special dinner.
- 25th December (Día de Navidad): On Christmas Day many Spanish children receive some little gifts from Papá Noel (Father Christmas), even though they receive their main gifts from The Three Kings (Los Reyes Magos) on 6 January!
- 28th December (Día de los Santos Inocentes): In Spain, the 28 December is similar to April Fools’ Day because people play tricks on one another.
- 31st December (Nochevieja): Families and friends celebrate the last day of the year and 12 grapes are eaten at midnight, one grape for each stroke of the clock and for each month of the year to come. Those who eat the twelve grapes believe they will have twelve months of good luck.
In lots of towns a popular race takes place on the last evening of the year and some runners wear disguises.
- 1st January (Día de año nuevo) and 6th January (Día de los Reyes) are the last celebrations before going back to school.
Before that day the children write letters to the 3 Wise Men, mentioning the gifts that they would like to receive. On the night of 5 January there are 3 Kings parades in cities, towns and villages.
A special cake called «roscón de Reyes» is eaten on this day. It is a ring-shape and is covered in coloured sweets and jellies. The colourful decoration represents the sparkling jewels worn by The Three Kings, (Los Reyes Magos).
Inside the cake, there is a lucky charm or even money! The belief is that if you find the charm in your cake, it will bring you good luck for the new year.
After Christmas we will let you know how we spent our Christmas holidays.
From our school we want to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!