Christmas 2022 in Granada - New Year 2023 Celebrations and Events


☞ Use this opportunity to experience Spanish culture, enjoy a genuine performance by renowned flamenco artists.
☆ Flamenco Tablao Jardines de Zoraya: let yourself be seduced by flamenco and the exquisite gastronomy, enjoy music and dance while discovering the taste of Granada.
☆ Flamenco Show at La Soleá: enjoy a unique atmosphere, experience and feel the tradition and passions of flamenco.
☆ Flamenco Tablao Jardines de Zoraya: let yourself be seduced by flamenco and the exquisite gastronomy, enjoy music and dance while discovering the taste of Granada.
☆ Flamenco Show at La Soleá: enjoy a unique atmosphere, experience and feel the tradition and passions of flamenco.
The sounds of Christmas carols are heard in the streets, where people are very busy shopping, meeting friends or just taking a walk with the family to see the magical atmosphere that invades the city at this time.

The night of the 5th of January the Three Kings (Reyes Magos) arrive to town bringing sweets and toys for the children. It´s the climax of the season.
As you see, many events take place in the streets of Granada during these days: Christmas concerts and traditional Christmas markets, Nativity scenes (belenes) and the New Year´s Eve party in front of the Town Hall, where thousands of people gather to eat the traditional lucky grapes (doce uvas de la suerte) and celebrate together the New Year.
Nativity Scenes (Belenes), 15 December 2022 - 6 January 2023

This visual representation of the birth of Jesus is a tradition that comes from the thirteenth century or earlier.
You can make a route to see the best "belenes" of Granada and enjoy the atmosphere in the city during Christmas and New Year.
And if you wish to set up your own belén at home, visit the Christmas market at Plaza Bib-Rambla.
Christmas Lottery (La Lotería de Navidad) - 22nd December 2022
Another Spanish Christmas tradition is the Christmas Lottery: "La Lotería de Navidad" (the biggest of the year). It is drawn on 22nd December and usually people follows the event on TV, or on the radio if they are working. It´s a classic.
If you are lucky you can win millions of euros. Tickets cost 20 euros, if you buy them in the official shops, or 25 euros if you buy them somewhere else.
Everybody is hoping to win the biggest prize "el gordo": 400.000 euros per ticket. However, there are 1.807 prizes in total.
It´s very common that people share different numbers with friends, colleages and family. Also, many shops, associations, charities, etc... sell small participations of a number that they acquired.
Last year Spanish people spent an average of 71.28 euros on Christmas Lottery. 3.351 millions of euros were collected.
Christmas Eve (Nochebuena) - 24th December 2022

Usually lots of relatives gather together around the table and celebrate singing carols, drinking and eating a lot.
All shops close earlier this day. However, bars, clubs and pubs open later at night, when people go out after the family dinner to dance and enjoy the night.
Some people like attending the traditional midnight mass "misa del gallo" wich takes place at different times in each church.
You have to check the timetable at the church the previous days. There is a very beautiful "misa del gallo" in San Pedro and San Pablo church at Paseo de los Tristes by the river Darro.
It´s celebrated with the choir of the Hermandad rociera de Granada and they sing flamenco carols during the mass.
Christmas (Día de Navidad) - 25th December 2022

The Reyes Magos (the three wise men) bring gifts to children the previous night.
Christmas Day is a national holiday in Spain and all shops are closed. It´s a day to relax and rest from the excesses of the previous night.
New Year's Eve (Nochevieja) - 31st December 2022
The Spanish tradition says that on New Year´s Eve at the stroke of midnight one must eat a grape for each chime of the bell, that will garantee plenty of good luck during the New Year.
These special moment is broadcasted by all channels and families congregate around the television to eat their twelve grapes.
Granada is not an exception, and on New Year´s Eve the Town Hall organizes a big party at Plaza del Carmen with live music and fireworks.
Long before midgnight party bags known as "cotillón" containing twelve grapes, party hats, masks, blowers, etc.. are distributed among the people.
Celebrations continue all night long, first on the streets and then at pubs, clubs, discos and private parties.
At dawn, just before heading home, one must have a hot chocolate with "churros" to follow the tradition.
New Year's Day & Día de la Toma - 1st and 2nd January 2023
The first day of the New Year is a quiet day in Granada, as many people sleep all day and all shops are closed. It´s also very difficult to find a bar or restaurant open.
However, on the 2nd of January the town is ready to celebrate again. This is a very important date in the history of Granada and Spain, and it´s a local holiday in the work calendar.
On the 2nd of January of 1942, Boabdil, the last Nasrid king of Granada, delivered the Alhambra and his kingdom to Ferdinand and Isabella, the Catholic Monarchs.
Granada was the last Moorish and Muslim kingdom in the peninsula, and this day closes a very important period in the history of Granada.

Once the mass is over, celebrations are taken to the Town Hall, where the youngest person in the local government flutters the city banner from the main balcony.
This historic day has been celebrated this way for more than 500 years, however, new voices are been heard amongst granadinos asking for a change to adapt the ceremony to the present days.
Another ritual, less polemic than the pevious one, used to take place in Granada every 2nd of January. On the top of the most important tower of the Alhambra, the Candle Tower (Torre de la Vela), lots of women want to ring its bell.
According to the tradition if they do so, will get married before the year ends.
The Three Wise Men Parade (Cabalgata de Reyes) - 5th January 2023

It´s a spectacular parade. Around 30 fantastic carriages and more than a thousand people wearing lovely costumes take part of it.
The crowd enjoy such an amazing display of lights, colour and music, and bear the cold with a smile while trying to "catch" some of the sweets and toys that are thrown up by their Majesties and their pages.
☞ To get to know everything the city has to offer, you can reserve a guided tour.
☆ Free Walking Tour of Granada: tour this beautiful city, enjoy a unique experience and discover the rich history of Granada along the way.
☆ Granada Tourist Train: discover the historic neighbourhoods of Albaicín and Realejo in a fun and enjoyable way.
☆ Free Walking Tour of Granada: tour this beautiful city, enjoy a unique experience and discover the rich history of Granada along the way.
☆ Granada Tourist Train: discover the historic neighbourhoods of Albaicín and Realejo in a fun and enjoyable way.

This parade symbolizes the coming of the Three Wise Men to Bethlehem, and it´s the most special night of the year for Spanish children. It's the night when all their dreams become true.
In Spain, traditionally the Christmsas gifts are exchange on the 6th of January, Epiphany Day.
Epiphany Day (Día de Reyes) - 6th January 2023
On the 6th of January Spain celebrates the Día de Reyes (Epiphany Day), and most families gather at home to eatthe traditional Roscón de Reyes and open the presents they found in the morning.
The tradional Roscón is a large donut-shaped cake filled with cream that most bakeries make in Granada. Be careful when you bite into it because this nice cake is filled not just with cream.
Traditionally, one little clay figure and one broad bean are hidden inside it. If you are the one to find the little king in your piece, you´ll be crowned the king or queen of the day. If you find the broad bean, you'll have to pay for the cake.
Christmas Shopping - During All Christmas
There are several areas of Christmas shopping in Granada. Major clothing brands like Zara, H & M, Mango, Promod, ...are located near Puerta Real.
If you're looking for toys, in calle Alhóndiga there is an interesting shop: Eureka.
Christmas Market, 1 December 2022 - 6 January 2023
Every year during the month of December until the 6th of January takes place in Plaza Bib-Rambla the traditional Christmas market.You can find traditional Nativity figures and everything you need to decorate your home at Christmas.
There is also a market around Puerta Real selling traditional Christmas sweets made by nuns in the local convents, wooden toys, different types of crafts: leather, ceramics, silver, etc ...
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Page Updated: Feb 20, 2022
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