Christmas in Spain is celebrated with several traditions over multiple days: 1) December 22nd is the National Lottery drawing day, which kicks off the Christmas season. The biggest prize is called "El Gordo". 2) Christmas Eve (Nochebuena) on December 24th is when the main Christmas meal is shared with family. Traditional foods include turrón, marzipan, and seafood. 3) December 25th is Christmas Day (Día de Navidad), marked by attending Mass at church and spending time with family. Nativity scenes (belenes) are a key decoration highlighting the birth of Jesus.

1. Christmas in Spain

2. Christmas Calendar2010 Lotería Nacional Nochebuena Día de Navidad Día de los Inocentes Nochevieja Día de Año Nuevo Cabalgata de Reyes Back to school Día de Reyes Holidays Monday Lunes Tuesday Martes Wedn. Miércoles Thursday Jueves Viernes Viernes SaturdaySábado Sunday Domingo 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

3. The streets Tetuán Street in Sevilla

4. El belén= Nativity scene This is traditionally the most important decoration in houses and towns. They try to recreate the life in villages at the time Jesus was born. The sizes of these nativity scenes can vary enormously.

5. Some villages have their own Nativity scene play. Live Nativity scenes

6. Árbol de Navidad The Christmas tree tradition has only been added in the last few decades and it’s growing on .

7. 22nd December = National Lottery

8. 22nd December= National Lottery It is celebrated in the morning, and everybody is listening to it on the radio, watching it on tv… It’s very exciting. First introduced in 1812. The biggest prize is called “El gordo” (The fat one) Children from San Ildefonso School take out the balls from these lottery drums, with a special tune. This day is associated with the beggining of Christmas in Spain.

9. Christmas Eve = Nochebuena

10. Christmas food

11. Christmas food

12. Christmas food

13. Christmas desserts: el turrón, marzipan...

14. Villancicos = Carols

15. El aguinaldo = Christmas Pay

16. Dia de los Inocentes = Fools Day

17. Nochevieja = New Year’s Eve

18. Las uvas (New Year’s Eve)

19. Los regalos = The presents Father Christmas? or… … The 3 wise men?

20. La cabalgata

21. The Epiphany 6 ....the presents!!!

22. In the evening... ... hot chocolate and “roscón de Reyes”

23. Christmas time is finished