As winter evenings draw in, the towns and villages of Andalucía once again burst into colour with the glow of Christmas lights. Across the region, from the snow-capped Sierras to the sun-warmed coast, streets are filled orange-laden trees, festive cheer, music, and the unmistakable scent of roasted chestnuts, straight from the Sierras.
Breakfast is a special occasion on the Three Kings day, January 6th with the Three Kings’ Cake ( Roscón de Reyes) the centre of attention.
The crumbly Christmas cookies collectively known as mantecados, which you will see in the months leading up to Christmas, individually wrapped and sold either by weight, or in a box, are made in a town located in the eastern part in Seville province, Estepa.
One of the most delightful features of Christmas in Andalucia are the belenes vivientes, or living (live) nativity scenes, where many of the townsfolk dress up as characters to take part, using the town's streets, houses and plazas as their stage set, starring alongside four-legged actors - sheep and donkeys. Cadiz province is famous for its belenes vivientes.
An important part of the lead-up to Christmas for Andalucians involves one of their favourite pastimes - shopping. This isn't just about making purchases, whether gifts or food for one of the big family meals; it's about browsing, wandering through stores looking at things, discussing them - at length and in detail - with friends and family (jamon, decorations, belen figures, shoes, kitchen equipment) over coffee.
The Christmas season in Andalucia starts much later than those from northern Europe and North America might expect. The smell of chestnuts roasting over fires tended by street vendors will begin to waft past you as of November, and that will continue until the Three Kings make their visit to local homes in January.
Christmas is not Andalucia´s biggest religious celebration - Semana Santa has that distinction. But it is nonetheless a big deal, with all the seasonal ambience, lights, markets, special food and other trappings. Every school, shop, office and home has a Nativity Scene.
The villancicos are also known by the name of zambombas in Andalucía, a name which comes from the instrument that is traditionally used to accompany them. A zambomba is a drum like instrument that has a stick inserted through the skin, and the stick is moved up and down, creating the rhythm.
Christmas brings great cheer across Spain as families prepare to spend the Season together over one elaborate meal after another. Every year Andalucia.com brings you a special look at Christmas and this year it is no different.
Unlike most Spaniards, who focus their religious fervour on the Virgin Mary, the gypsies have always identified closely with Jesus, because, like them, he was a wanderer and had to rely on whatever pickings he could find, as he made his way through the world.
Try some of these Spanish Christmas specialities this festive season. Christmas turkey and for dessert Polvorones, Roscos.
Normally you will see this on sale in pastlerías (cake shops) as well as in supermarkets and smaller and specialist food shops. They are usually sold individually wrapped in thin tissue paper. Although they are traditionally cooked with lard, which gives the delicate crumbly texture, they can also be made with butter.
Roscos Navideños are an exclusive Andalusian specialty that is relished in homes across southern Spain during the Christmas season. You would be hard pressed to come by a recipe for this genuine delicacy. But never fear, our secret agents have convinced an Andalucia.com relative to smuggle this authentic, generations-old document out of the family kitchen and into our studios.
Traditional Spanish Christmas pastries (of the non-"turrón" type) add a special touch to the holidays with their own distinct flavours - and textures! Here is a look at some of the most popular specialities. Once upon a time they were only available in December and January, but that is changing. Nevertheless, it's only during the holiday season that you'll see them in such large amounts. In fact, in most supermarkets you can even buy them in bulk.
In Andalusia, as in the rest of Spain, the feast of Christmas dinner takes place late on the night of Christmas Eve (Nochebuena) and normally goes on into the small hours of Christmas Day. Traditionally, the exchanging of presents is not until the 6th of January, on King's Day (Reyes) and so full attention is given to the cooking of an extravagant meal on the night of the 24th.
This traditional Christmas candy is becoming more common throughout the year as supermarkets offer it as a standard product. However, it is still associated with the Christmas season where it is served after meals on a platter full of all kinds of Christmas sweets, nuts and dried fruits.
In Andalucia, as in the rest of Spain, there is a bit of a debate regarding how deeply foreign Christmas customs should be allowed to take root.
Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are generally celebrated as a family with one rich meal after another served from mid-day on Christmas Eve through late night Christmas Day.
In Spain, the equivalent of All Fools' Day is “Día de los Santos Inocentes”, which takes place in the middle of the long Christmas season (Spanish Navidad runs all the way through to 6 January, the Epiphany). On 28 December it’s your turn to play your favourite jokes on friends and family!
December 28th, right smack in the middle of the Spanish Christmas season, we have the annual Verdiales competitions taking place right outside Málaga City. The festival will bring together competing “pandas” as they are known. These are groups that practice one of three different forms of Verdiales singing accompanied by their traditional folk dance and unforgettable costumes.
