December 25, Christmas
December 25th is Christmas, one of the most important and beloved holidays in Catalonia and around the world.
Christmas commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ in Bethlehem, according to Christian tradition. But beyond its religious origins, today it is also a family, cultural, and popular celebration, full of symbolism, light, and emotion.
How is it celebrated in Catalonia?
In Catalonia, Christmas is celebrated with warmth, great food, and unique traditions. The 25th is synonymous with family gatherings, gifts, and delicious meals. Homes are filled with the aromas of broth with galets (pasta shells), roast chicken or turkey, cannelloni, and sweets such as nougat and wafers.
It's also traditional to make the Tió de Nadal “poop” gifts, especially on the night of the 24th or on Christmas Day itself. Children hit the magic log with sticks while singing so that it “poops” out presents and candies. This tradition is 100% Catalan and one of the most eagerly awaited by children.
In many homes, after lunch, the celebration continues with board games, music, and Christmas carols. And in towns and cities, choirs perform well-known Catalan carols such as El noi de la mare (“The Mother's Boy”) or Fum, fum, fum.
Nativity scenes are found everywhere — in homes, squares, and streets — and the popular caganer (a humorous figure symbolizing humility and fertility) is an essential element of Catalan Christmas decor.
The following day, Sant Esteve (December 26th), is also a public holiday in Catalonia. It's a day for reuniting with extended family and enjoying the leftovers from Christmas Day — which is how the famous “Sant Esteve cannelloni” came to be.
Thus, December 25th in Catalonia is much more than a date — it's a way of life. A day to share, to love, and to enjoy the little things that make our culture truly special.
