Festivals and Holidays

January

6th Epiphany

This festival is celebrated in the whole country. It is the Day of the Three Kings, Los Reyes Magos.  In Spain it is the Wise Men on their camels, rather than Santa Claus drawn by reindeer, who distribute presents to children.  The night of the 5th is a time of tremendous excitement, with children waiting for presents. The Kings and their followers, in full regalia and often accompanied by local public figures, form part of extravagant processions of floats, bands and dancers through the major towns and cities. The children of Mallorca in the Balearics and Tenerife in the Canaries get the added thrill of seeing the Kings arrive by sea. These processions are a relatively recent phenomenon - Seville's, the oldest, dates back only as far as 1916 - but they are very popular. Much older are the plays featuring the Three Kings performed in Aledo (Murcia). Cañada (Alicante), Santillana del Mar (Cantabria) and Sanguesa (Navarre).

17th Saint Anthony Abbot Feasts

This is a festival celebrated in La Puebla de Mallorca. This festival originated prior to 1365. Huge bonfires or "foguerons" are lit in the middle of the streets where "cançoners del Camp" march along singing songs to tambourines and the beating of sticks, the "colla de demonis" group dances and sings to the sound of lyres, guitars and tambourines, and crowds of boys and girls dressed in old-fashioned costumes sing old songs and dance traditional dances. During the festivity the blessing of the herd takes place before the altar of Saint Anthony.

19 & 20th "Tamborrada" of San Sebastian

This celebration takes place in San Sebastián, province of Guipúzcoa. Marching to the deafening sound of drums, groups of drummers parade through the city on the night of the first day of the year. The next morning, the "Tamborrada Infantil" (Child Drummer's Ceremony) is celebrated, and on the night of the same day the town celebrates the festival of the Patron Saint of the city.

February

3th The "Endiablada" festival

Celebrated in Almonacid de Marquesado, province of Cuenca, this is a festival of prehistoric origin. The young boys of the town dress as devils - wearing pants and jackets painted in bright designs, with large cowbells tied to their waists, and multicolored paper hats, which are replaced later on with cardboard bishop mitres (hats)- rand un through the streets, dance at the entrance and inside the church, pretend to wash the statue of San Blas, and march then in procession with it to the uninterrupted sound of the cowbells.

11th Santa Agueda Festivals

Celebrated in Zamarramala, province of Segovia. This festival is also very ancient in origin. The famous governor's wives - who serve as stewards during the religious celebration - dressed in sumptuous gowns from the 12th century and carrying the scepter of authority lead the procession of Saint Agueda followed by the married women who are dressed in farm clothes, and later attend a banquet in which the priest is the only male present. The celebration is ended with the ancient "Baile de Rueda" (Wheel Dance).

40 days before Easter Carnival Festivals

The whole country celebrates the pre-Easter Carnival. (The celebration at Cádiz and Santa Cruz de Tenerife is very famous).

Carnavales occurs at the same time as Mardi Gras in Brazil and New Orleans, and is the Spanish equivalent of Mardi Gras.  You will need a costume, like a Halloween costume, for this holiday.  Carnival is usually held during the last week of February.  Carnival is a celebration in which the church lets its members have one last party before the beginning of Lent.  The festivities are mainly held over the weekend.  Friday night each town has its own celebtration.  Saturday afternoon/ early evening there is a parade through the cities of Spain with people in costume.  In the main plaza there is live music and all of the town people are dressed in costume.  In Toledo there is a large contraption that shoots out sparklers and people run around the plaza to escape it.  At night people drink in the streets, which is now only legal during holidays.  In Toledo, the festivities end with a procession in town that goes down to the river.  The last part of the procession involves the burning of a large sardine sculpture in effigy.  This represents the end of the Carnival.  The most famous Carnavales are in the Canary islands- since it is warm there it attracts a lot of people, and in Cádiz, where there are groups of costumed singers who wander around town singing comical songs. 

Cádiz: It includes a spirited procession, contests to chose the best singers and comedians (this is an excellent opportunity to see the characteristic Cádiz sense of humor), fancy dress balls, the selection of the queen of the festivities and fireworks. The main attraction is the procession which is held the Sunday before Ash Wednesday.

Santa Cruz de Tenerife: Replicas of the original carnival celebrations, consisting of parades with floats and "murgas" or comic bands and the singing of the island songs through the streets, together with many folklore contests.

The Barcelona-Sitges International Antique Car Show also takes place at this time in Sitges, Barcelona province. The festival consists of covering the route in cars built not later than 1920. The participants dress up in costumes of the period. Not only do Spanish automobile clubs take part in the rally, but those from France and Andorra as well.

March

9th to 17th The Magdalena Festivals

Celebrated in Castellón de la Plana, the third Sunday of Lent. The celebration originated in the 15th century and became very popular from 1945 on. The main events are the picturesque cavalcade of the "pregó", the parade which begins the festivities; the "Romería de les Canyes", a pilgrimage to the hermitage of Saint Mary Magdalene; the Return Night Procession with the statue of the Crucified Christ of the Most Pure Blood, and the parade of the "gaiatas", multicolored spangles and croziers.

15th to 19th Fallas de San José

Celebrated in Valencia, this "fiesta" dates from the Middle Ages, but it did not acquire the personality we know today until the middle of the last century. The festivity represents the triumph of popular art, since its "falla" monuments and its "ninot" figures unmistakably reflect the happy and satirical Valencian spirit. Among the most important acts which are the delight of visitors and local inhabitants for two weeks are the "crida", the public announcement which is made from the Torres de Serranos by the queen of the "fallas" and major of the city; the "Cabalgata del Ninot" (the Ninot procession), the lovely night-time parade which is made up of various "falla" committees; the "Cabalgata del Reino" (Procession of the Kingdom) in which various towns of the old Kingdom of Valencia take part, putting on show their own typical folklore and local produce; the offerings of flowers made by the "falleras" to "Nuestra Señora de los Desamparados" (Our Lady of the Forsaken), Patroness of the city; and above all, the famous "Nit del Foc" (Night of Fire). This is when all the "fallas" (grotesque and humorous scenes made up of cardboard figures) are set on fire, providing a fascinating spectacle. Completing these local celebrations are bullfights and diverse sports competitions.

April

9th to10th Easter

The whole country celebrates Easter in Spain. The celebrations in Sevilla, Málaga, Cuenca & Valladolid are very famous.  However, there is no Easter Bunny in Spain!  There are no Easter Eggs either.  Easter is a religious celebration, not a celebration for children.  Most people have vacation during Semana Santa, or Holy (Easter) Week. Some stores now sell Easter candy as the result of an American influence.  Special food for this time are albondigas, or meatballs,

In Seville, the celebration of Holy Week in the capital of Andalusia reaches undreamed of religious and aesthetic heights. More than 50 brotherhoods march in procession following an official route from the popular Plaza de la Campana along the picturesque Sierpes Street, traveling before the Plateresque Town Hall building, and after going through the Gothic Cathedral, until they end up before the Giralda tower and the Baroque Bishop's palace. The "pasos" of wood and silver, covered with carnations, and with luxurious "pallium" for the statues of the Virgins, rock gently on the shoulders of the bearers to the rhythm of the "saetas", short and fervent prayers or hymns. The religious images are the works of artists of genius, such as Roldán, Juan de Mena and Martinez Montañés. Specially interesting are the processions held Thursday afternoon and during the early morning and afternoon of Friday.

The April Fair

Held in Seville. For a little over a century, the April Fairs of Seville, which were originally only a market for livestock, have become one of the most fascinating spectacles offered in Spain. Morning, evening and night - the height being at midday during the long cavalcade of riders, and late at night when the "spirit" takes over the throats of the "cantaores" (flamenco singers) and the legs and arms of the "bailaoras" (dancers) - the Real de la Feria blazes with multicolored tents, wreaths and paper lanterns outlined against the sky. Handsome couples, riding beautiful horses and dressed in the Andalusian ruffles, country finery and broad-brimmed hats, and the brilliantly decorated coaches with bells on their reins leave their marks in the white dusty paths.

The city, which is always beautiful, is entirely transformed during these days. The song and dance and drinking never end, and a joyousness pervades everything. Important bullfights are held in the Plaza de la Maestranza, the "cathedral" of bullfighting, rounding off the celebrations.

22 to 24th Moors and Christians Festival

The festival takes place in Alcoy, Alicante province. The celebration began in the 17th century. Groups of locals dressed as Moors and Christians drive through the town accompanied by noisy bands, after which a tattle ensues and amongst the most characteristic parts are the deployment of guerrillas, the Moorish embassy, the battle of musketry, the Christian embassy and the final battle with the triumph of the followers of the Cross, who surround the Moors and defeat them. Everything goes on amidst the noise of fireworks and the ringing of bells. Alcoy is located 54 kilometers from Alicante.

28th The Pilgrimage of the Virgen de la Cabeza

Held in Andújar, Jaén province. The festivities begin with a cattle and horse handling contest in the bullring, with well-known horsemen from all over Andalusia participating. During the afternoon of the second day of festivities, there is a reception given by more than 50 brotherhoods who come from all over Spain.

The Sanctuary of the Virgen de la Cabeza is located on the highest peak of the Sierra Morena, and this is where thousands of "romeros" or pilgrims travel on the third day, dressed in typically Andalusian clothes and riding atop different breeds of horses. That same night the pilgrims sing and dance before the Sanctuary. On the last day of these "Fiestas" a procession is held with the image of the Virgin, and later, back in Andújar, the pilgrims can enjoy all the local attractions and merrymaking. Andújar is located 66 kilometers from Jaén.

May

May 1 in Toledo 

May 1^st is the celebration of the Romeria de la Virgin del Valle, or the procession of the Virgin of the Valley.  The night before, there are bars set up ad hoc in the valley that surrounds the old city.  The valley is crowded with people.  Women should be prepared as it is virtually impossible to locate a public restroom.  There are tapas and plenty to drink.  On May 1^st, families go to the Valley for a picnic and there is a small procession.

3th Holy Cross 

Celebrated in the whole country. Crosses of flowers are set up in towns all over Spain and in which Mayos, essentially love songs offered up to the Virgin, are sung and unmarried girls are serenaded. This is particularly typical in Castile-La Mancha. The conical structures and crosses decked with flowers and foliage known as maios in Galicia, around which people dance and sing satirical songs, bear more than a passing resemblance to England's traditional maypoles.

6th to 19th The "Córdoba Patio" Festival

Held only in Córdoba. This festival has been celebrated for centuries. It includes the Pilgrimage of the conquering Virgin to the Linares Sanctuary across the countryside with horsemen and richly decorated coaches; a competition of May Crosses and a Patio. Iron Grille and Balcony Contest in which the patios, small side streets and plazas so typical of the city are filled with flowers.  The patios are open to the public to visit and take pictures.  This is a great chance to see what it is really like inside of most Spanish houses, behind their private exterior.

12th to 19th The Horse Fair

Held in Jerez de la Frontera, Cádiz province. The fair's origin can be traced back to 1284. It began as a livestock market fair and gradually over the centuries developed into the sum of today's festivities which may be grouped under three main headings: 1) The Choice Livestock Exhibition-Fair and the Industrial and Agricultural Machinery Exhibition- Fair, 2) The popular celebrations of bullfights and typical songs and dances in the stands put up in the González Hontoria Park, and 3) The Horse Fair itself, with exhibition riding and a contest of trained horses together with a market and exhibition of horses. The "Golden Horse" prize is awarded in this fair by the General Secretariat of Tourism. Jerez de la Frontera is located 48 kilometers from Cádiz.

15th San Isidro Fair

Held in Madrid. It is the celebrations in honor of its patron saint, the Feria de San Isidro, a classic example of a once flagging fiesta successfully resuscitated. Its high point is May 15, but a whole season of drama, music and other open-air events has grown up around it, not to mention some of the top attractions of the Spanish bullfighting calendar.  Popular bullfights are hard to get in to and expensive.

25th to 27th The Rocio Pilgrimage

The pilgrimage is made in Almonte, Huelva province. It is a very old celebration. Coming from Huelva, Cádiz and Seville, innumerable carts drawn by oxen and decorated with flowers and wax figures, accompanied by hundreds of riders on horseback and girls seated behind them in typical Andalusian dress, cross the countryside to the sound of flutes and tambourines in the direction of the Sanctuary of Nuestra Señora del Rocío. Once there, the religious ceremonies begin. The most impressive is the night rosary during which the faithful cross the marshes with lighted candles, together with the procession of the Virgin which is carried on the shoulders of young men. The Rocío "sevillanas" and "seguidillas" are danced and sung continually by the participants. Almonte is 65 kilometers from Huelva.

26th The Caballada

Celebrated in Atienza, Guadalajara province. This celebration commemorates the race of the horse- divers of Atienza in 1162 to free King Alfonso VII from the power of his uncle Fernando II of León who wanted to take the throne away from him. The members of the brotherhood, wearing long capes and black hats, ride on mules through the town preceded by bagpipe players, the standard bearer, the abbot, the brotherhood steward, the choirboys and the administrator, until they reach the hermitage of the Estrella where they attend a mass followed by a procession and brotherhood dinner. Everyone returns in the afternoon and after crossing the town, the members compete in wild races around the Puerta Caballo. Finally, a new Elder Brohter is elected in front of the Church of the Trinity. Atienza is located 84 kilometers from Guadalajara, and 31 kilometers away, in Siguenza, is the Castillo de Siguienza National Parador.

June

Corpus Christi

Celebrated all over Spain, in late May or early June is the Corpus Christi celebration, which is most famous in Toledo.  Spectators come from all over the area to see the procession in Toledo.  The day before the Corpus, the streets are covered with fragrant branches and Corpus decorations.  There is also a competition of patios, which are extravagantly decorated and open to the public.  In the main plaza, the Zocodover, all the balconies are covered in flags and cloth coats-of-arm.  There are vendors selling balloons and food.  You should get there early to see the procession, which is held in the morning.  The procession is lovely- bring your camera!  It includes soldiers in uniform on horseback, young girls in their confirmation dresses, and others in traditional costume.  The ceremony is concluded by a statue of the local virgin held on a platform and a huge gold sculpture, which is worth millions of dollars.  The rest of the year the gold sculpture is housed in the museum at the Toledo cathedral, which requires a ticket for entry. The celebration in Toledo and Sitges is very famous. The parade consists of a most solemn morning procession bearing the Arfe monstrance and presided over by the Primate of Spain, passes among the faithful in the incomparable setting of one of the most beautiful and mysterious cities in Spain. The Illescas nobles in their red habits, the Mozarabic knights with their blue habits, the knights of the Holy Sepulchre dressed in white and the knights of Corpus Christi dressed in green, evoke with their presence the different medieval ways of life.

Sitges: Barcelona province. Since 1950 this fiesta has been celebrated with fantastically beautiful carpets of lowers covering the streets of the town. An altar is placed in the main plaza which is covered with flowers. The crowds are blessed with the monstrance under a rain of carnations. On the same day there is National Carnation Exhibition in which thousands of bouquets from different countries are displayed.

20th to 29th The Bonfires of San Juan

Held in Alicante, the bonfires, involving truly artistic monuments made of wood, cardboard and fabric with figures satirizing the bad customs of the people, are set up at the beginning of the celebration and burned three days later on June 24th in the ceremony of fire, known as the "cremá". Four cavalcades parade through the city: the "Cabalgata del Foc", representing the cult of fire in different periods; the "Coso Infantil", in which children in costume take part; the multicolored "Coso", with a flower battle, serpentines and confetti. There is a parade of bands contracted by the different districts of the city. There is, also, a folklore demonstration in which the different regions of the province are represented. Other important events include a firework competition, the bullfigthts and various religious acts, outstanding among which is the floral offering to the Virgen del Remedio, Patroness and Mayoress of the city.

July

6th to 14th The San Fermin Festivals

This is the most famous running of the bulls, in Pamplona. However, there are other towns that have running of the bulls.  Every year you will see some foreign tourist, usually in Pamplona, who is maimed or killed.  Sometimes these injuries even make the news on CNN.  Foreigners are injured because they drink, and because they do not act responsibly.  It is not know exactly when these festivals, which by now are known throughout the world, began, but there is documentary evidence that they already existed in 1591. They begin with a rocket fired from the balcony of the Town Hall. Immediately after bands of "txistularis" and bagpipers march through the town and suburbs playing songs that announce the running of the bulls that will be fought that afternoon. The young men of the town and innumerable tourists risking their lives, run before the bulls dressed in the typical Pamplona costume, in the direction of the bullring where the fights will be held. All day and all night from the 6th to the 15th of July, groups of young people tirelessly roam through the streets singing, dancing and drinking. There are fireworks, livestock fairs, and a gathering of more than one hundred "txistularis" (Basque flute players) who belong to the Basque-Navarre Association, to liven up the festivities.

22nd Saint Mary Magdalena Feasts

The feast is celebrated in Anguiano, in the province of La Rioja. It is celebrated with street processions and, in an age- old custom, the Danza de los Zancos, young men in swirling skirts dance on wooden stilts to the accompaniment of bagpipes, drums and castanets.

July 26 St. Anne's Feast Day in Tudela

The feast is celebrated in Tudela, in the province of Navarre.  It is similar to the festival at Pamplona, with encierros (running of the bulls) and bull fights, but less touristy.  Tudela has a large Moorish quarter, the Moreria, and old Mudejar style houses.

August

3rd The Asturias Scull Race Festival

The race is held in Arriondas-Ribadesella, Oviedo province. At about eleven o'clock in the morning the parade of the scull racers grouped according to nationalities and accompanied by the "sweethearts" of the festival begins in Arriondas. The race begins at the bridge over the Sella River in the town and ends eighteen kilometers downstream at the bridge in Ribadesella. The race is followed by cars and riverside trains which stop at strategic sites to watch the racers pass. The festival ends with a pilgrimage to the fields of Ova. Arriondas is located 52 kilometers from Oviedo and Ribadesella is 70 kilometers away.

4th "Asturias Day"

Asutiras Day is celebrated in Gijón, Oviedo province. The importance of this day is reflected by the fact that all the mayors of the province come to Gijón for this festival. The chief event of the festival is the spectacular and fantastic parade of decorated floats and regional and foreign folk groups. The festivities end in an immense and typical picnic-pilgrimage held at the Mestas horse race installations. Gijón is located 28 kilometers from Oviedo.

11th to 15th Elche Mystery Play

The play is held in Elche, in the province of Alicante. It consists of a 13C mystery play fascinating for its musical and dramatic content. It is performed in two parts, one on the 14 and one on the 15, and represents the Dormition, or falling asleep, of Mary and her Ascension, body and soul, into heaven. The cast in entirely male, the female roles being played by children, and the sung text is in Lemosín, an old Valencian variant of Catalan (attendance is free on the 14 and 15, but you will need to buy tickets from the Municipal Tourist Office for the performances on the 11, 12 and 13)

16th San Roque Festival

The festival is held in Llanes, Oviedo province. The most important event is the folk "fiesta" which is held during the morning of the 16th with a high mass in the parish church, attended by hundreds of persons dressed in typical regional costumes. To the music of the bagpipes of the region, they dance the ancient "Pericote", and later, the children dance the so- called "Peregrina". This is followed by an offering of bouquets of flowers.

15th The Rice Festival

The Rice Festival is held in Sueca, province of Valencia. Among the celebrations, the most interesting is the offering of the new rice stalks to Our Lady of Sales. A colorful cavalcade makes its way to her sanctuary. Prior to this there is a National Paella contest, which draws people from all over the region.  Valencia is famous throughout the world for its seafood based paella.

September

19th "America's Day in Asturias"

Celebrated in the heart of Asturias, in Oviedo. The festival began in 1950. In the morning, mass is heard at the university in honor of the invocations dedicated to the Virgin in the Spanish-speaking world and it is followed by a tribute to all the mothers of Asturian emigrants. In the afternoon, there is a colorful cavalcade with floats, bands and folk groups which represent Latin American countries, some European countries, and the different town of the region.

20th to 26th The Rioja Grape Harvest Festival

This is the time of the grape harvest in Logroño. This festival began in 1955. The principal event is the treading of the grapes and the blessing and offering of the first wine must to the Virgen de Valvanera. There is a parade of wagons and carriages with most o the "peñas" participating, as well as Spanish and foreign folk groups and bands. Cultural, artistic and sports contests are also held. At the same time, the traditional Feasts of Saint Matthew are celebrated with spectacular bullfights.

24th The Festival of Our Lady of Mercy

This is the celebration of the patron Virgin of Barcelona. This festivals was instituted in 1868 when Pope Pío IX declared this Virgin the patroness of the city. There are religious celebrations, sporting events, folklore and art expositions, music, theatre and film festivals.

The Grape Harvest Festival (September)

This grape harvest occurs in Jerez de la Frontera, Cádiz province. This festival has been celebrated every September since 1948. Each year the festival is dedicated to one of the countries which imports Jerez wine. In addition to the blessing of the grapes and the first wine must before the statue of San Ginés de la Jara, the patron saint of the wine growers of the region, there is a beautiful cavalcade, a flamenco festival, contests between the laborers, writers and livestock, together with livestock exhibitions and bullfights.

October

7th to 13th Festivals of the Virgin del Pilar

Celebrated only in Zaragoza, dating back to the 19th century. The festivals begin with the Cavalcade of the "Pregón". The proclamation of the Queen of the Festival and her court of Honor takes place in the Lonja Palace. These festivals are based on the floral offering to the Virgin in the Basilica of the Pilar by women dressed in regional costume and the procession of the Patroness of Spain. There are also folklore parades of floats and the Official Competition of the "jota", the regional dance of Aragón.

25th to 27th The Saffron Rose Festival

Celebrated in Consuegra, in the province of Toledo. This festival has been celebrated since 1963. It celebrates the gathering of the saffron rose. The most interesting event is the cutting of the rose. After this, there are exhibitions of the folklore of the region.

November

First, The Day of All Saints

Celebrated all over Spain. This is the day where Spaniards go to the cemeteries to pray for their beloved ones that pass away, taking flowers and decorations for the tombs. The day of all Saints is considered by the catholic church the for all of those who been saint have not official recognition by the church.

December

24th Christmas Eve

Celebrated in the whole country. It receives more attention in its own right than in Britain or the States, and dinner that night is a major family reunion followed, in church-going families, by Midnight Mass and perhaps carol-singing in the streets. In some parts of Spain, ancient plays, songs or dances are performed during the midnight service, as in Callosa de Segura (Alicante), Labastida (Alava) and Palma (Majorca, where in a mixture of pagan and Christian ritual the Cant de la Sibil.la, or Song of the Sybil, forms an integral part of the service). In Catalonia, Nativity tableaux known as pesebres or pastorets are performed by the locals, particularly in Carbera de Llobregat.  Note:  there is no tradition of Santa Claus in Spain!

Smaller towns and cities, other than Madrid (see below) also set up Christmas lights in the streets.  There are often vendors selling roasted chestnuts toys.  A few days before Christmas, the children go door to door playing music and are given a few coins, Spain’s version of Christmas caroling.  On Christmas Eve there are many people on the streets at the bars, like a big party in the street.  In Spain, Santa Claus is catching on, which means double presents for some children.  But the main tradition for gift-giving is still the Wise Men.  The Day of the Wise Men is January 6, the day of Epiphany.  The night before, children put out their shoes which are filled with presents from the Wise Men.  The tradition of the Wise Men exists in Mexico and South America as well.  In Madrid and in all of the other towns, there is a parade including Wise Men, who throw candy into the crowd.  A few people have Christmas trees, but the main decoration in individual houses is a manger scene.  On Christmas Eve the family gets together for a large dinner together which consists of many courses, especially seafood.  The Christmas dessert is Sopa de Almendras, a sort of bread pudding with marzipan and almonds (see recipe in Recipe Section).  Then on Christmas Day everyone gets together and has a large lunch, which also includes various courses.  People have hostess trays with marzipan, chocolate and other candies which they serve to visitors.  Spaniards are good hosts.

Christmas in Madrid

If you happen to be in Madrid for Christmas, you should make a stop at Sol, which is a stop on the metro.  This spot is a good area year-round for shopping, but it is especially nice at Christmas.  The streets are packed with people doing last-minute shopping.  Most of the other streets are also lit by arrangements of Christmas lights.  The Corte Ingles, Spain’s great department store, sometimes has wise men giving out candy as part of its large Christmas display.  The Corte Ingles is a decent store for American-style clothes; check out its book store, which is separate from the main department store.  The Corte Ingles also has a nice café which is good year-round; some branches have a very nice salad bar.  F-nac is a good store for electronics, music, and books, and a rest room if you need it during shopping.  You should note that Spanish videos and DVDs do not work in the U.S., and vice versa.

In the Plaza Mayor around Christmas you will find a large outdoor market, where you can buy all sorts of pieces to create not only a manger scene, but and entire manger-based Bethlehem, from tiny animals and people to buildings and bridges.  You can also find costumes at the market; apparently costume parties are big at Christmas time.  This includes all kinds of costumes- I even found a Bin Laden mask.  These costumes could probably be reused for Carnavales- (see separate section).  There are also some gag gifts, like fake “doggy doo.”  The government sets up a nice manger scene in the Plaza Mayor.

New Year's Eve

If you are from the U.S., it is a bit strange when you enter the New Year before your home country.  If you want to go out on New Year’s Eve you should buy your tickets for your favorite club well in advance.  You will be unlikely to find anywhere to go if you fail to make prior arrangements.  The Spaniards watch a ball drop in the Plaza at Sol in Madrid to welcome the New Year, similar to the giant apple in Times Square.  At the strike of each chime of the bell on the tower, you are supposed to eat a grape.  Twelve grapes stuffed into your mouth in about a minute, for good luck (“the grapes of luck”).  Then you have a champagne toast.  I have never attempted to squeeze into the crowd in Madrid to watch the ball drop; if you go I would suggest you get there early.  In the afternoon on New Year’s Eve, you will find numerous people on the street at the bars, weather permitting.  New Year’s is also a big family time.  All the family gets together on New Year’s Eve for a big dinner, similar to Christmas Eve.  Only after midnight do the young people go out to party.  On New Year’s Day, there is another multi-course meal at lunch.