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Celebrating Christmas The Spanish Way: How To Bridge The Gap As An Expat

Published

3 weeks ago

December 25, 2025

celebrating-christmas-the-spanish-way:-how-to-bridge-the-gap-as-an-expat

How expats can blend British and Spanish Christmas traditions seamlessly. Photo Credit: Dmitry Romanoff / Unsplash

SPAIN is buzzing with activity on Christmas Day; from festive events, to intimate family and friend gatherings, to parties in pubs, the holiday season is in full swing in the stunning Mediterranean country, and locals, expatriates, and tourists all are joining in the celebration or getting cosy at home under warm lights.

Same holiday, very different ways to celebrate

However, apart from the universal Santa Claus costumes, twinkling lights, and hot chocolate, Spaniards tend to celebrate Christmas in a very different way than in the United Kingdom, for instance. In the UK, once the winter sun sets on December 25 and Boxing Day comes around, the holiday season already feels as if it’s winding down for the year.

In Spain, however, the festivities last well into January, with the Día de los Reyes Magos (Three Kings’ Day) being the main event on January 6, and many celebrations taking place in the final weeks of December and the first weeks of the new year.

For many expatriates, the differences in the way the two countries celebrate the same holiday can be jarring. However, no need to worry; here are the key differences between how the UK and Spain celebrate Christmas and the holiday season as a whole … and how to bridge the gap as an expatriate caught in the middle.

Gift-giving in the UK versus Spain

In the UK, Christmas presents are typically opened on the morning of Christmas Day. In Spain, however, many families will open gifts on January 6, or Three Kings’ Day, making it an extremely popular holiday with children.

Additionally, in the UK, gifts come from Father Christmas, typically left in stockings by the bed or as presents under a Christmas Tree. In Spain, gifts come from Los Reyes Magos, or the Three Wise Men, who appear in parades and traditionally leave gifts inside children’s shoes or boxes on the evening of January 5.

If you are a parent wanting your child to get a mix of both cultures, an expatriate interested in celebrating the Spanish way, or simply want to put a new twist on your Christmas experience this year, you might try two smaller, but no less meaningful Christmas gift-giving events: once on December 25, and once on Three Kings’ Day, in order to get the best of both worlds.

Christmas dinner in the UK versus Spain

In the UK, Christmas dinner is a big affair, and much emphasis is placed on it. Typical dishes include roast turkey, stuffing, roast potatoes, or pigs in blankets. Desserts presented at Christmas include Christmas pudding or mince pies, with one big, long dinner as the highlight of the day.

In Spain, however, the meals are very different, and not much pressure is placed on one big Christmas dinner, but instead various longer and later dinners that often stretch well past midnight. The food consists typically of Mediterranean-style seafood, cured meats, and many shared plates. Desserts include turrón, polvorones, and mazapán.

The holiday season could be a great opportunity to learn new recipes or mix and match, without the pressure of getting it all right for Christmas Day. Inviting friends over after December 25 for a Mediterranean dinner could be just the thing to make the Spanish Christmas magic last well into January.

Indoors versus outdoors

Spain has one notable advantage over the UK: the mild, slightly warmer weather. In the UK, winters are cold and dark, but cosy. Christmas is typically about being indoors, warm and bundled up. More shops are also closed, and cities are typically quiet.

In Spain, the milder weather means more people are out with friends or family in pubs, taking walks, or even on the beach, making it a much more social holiday. While Christmas Day itself is slower than usual, the buzzing excitement doesn’t completely stop.

Expatriates wanting to celebrate the Spanish way could easily find local events, even after December 25, if they wish to socialise this holiday season. The movement doesn’t stop in the last days of December for Spain, so there is still plenty to see, do, and experience.

Not one or the other, but both

Overall, expatriates in Spain truly have the opportunity to experience the best of both worlds this year: a cosy, bundled up December 25 (and even a white Christmas, at that!) and an exciting and vibrant end of the year, taking in the rich and social Spanish culture and enjoying the holidays well into the beginning of 2026.

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First Five-Star Hotel In Almuñécar

Published

8 hours ago

January 15, 2026

Elli Freeman

Almuñécar is set to make a major leap in luxury tourism with the construction of its first five-star hotel, the Daia Slow Beach Hotel La Herradura. Mayor Juan José Ruiz Joya has officially signed the building permit, clearing the way for this landmark project on the “A” plot of sector MP-96 along the scenic Paseo Andrés Segovia.

A historic milestone for La Herradura tourism

The approval ends more than two decades of administrative delays and complex procedures. Ruiz Joya called it “a historic day” for La Herradura, adding that the hotel proves the municipality’s potential as a world-class destination. The project is expected to attract international tourists while generating long-term economic benefits for the local community.

Luxury amenities and sustainable design

The Daia Slow Beach Hotel will offer 220 rooms and a host of luxury amenities, including a state-of-the-art spa, large swimming pools, poolside bars, and private palapas for massages and relaxation. The design emphasises integration with the surrounding natural environment, featuring 3,600 m² of green spaces, 3,917 m² of pedestrian-friendly roads, and 2,000 m² dedicated to cultural and educational facilities.

Boosting local economy and employment

With a budget nearing €14.7 million, the project is expected to create over 100 direct jobs during construction, with hundreds more in hospitality, retail, and maintenance. It has received approvals from health, environmental, agricultural, and tourism authorities, ensuring compliance with all regulations. Construction is scheduled for completion within 36 months, bringing a new era of high-end tourism to the Granada coastline.

Tourism, culture, and community benefits

Beyond luxury tourism, the hotel will act as a catalyst for local culture and community engagement. Plans include hosting events, cultural workshops, and wellness programmes open to residents and visitors alike. By combining tourism, leisure, and cultural initiatives, the Daia Slow Beach Hotel promises to enrich both the visitor experience and the quality of life for La Herradura’s community.

A new chapter for La Herradura hotels

The Daia Slow Beach Hotel La Herradura promises to position the area as a premier destination for luxury travellers in Spain. Residents and visitors alike can look forward to world-class facilities, transformative urban development, and a boost to the local economy.

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Public Boar Hunt In Alhaurin De La Torre

Published

8 hours ago

January 15, 2026

Adam Woodward

public-boar-hunt-in-alhaurin-de-la-torre

Hunters on a “batida” & swarms of boars. Credit: Joseba Mirena X

Authorities in Alhaurin de la Torre have approved a wild boar hunt (batida) in the local sierra to address overpopulation of the species, which is causing major environmental, agricultural, and safety concerns.

Organised by the Sociedad de Cazadores ‘La Torre’, the hunt will take place on Saturday, January 17, between 7.30am and 4.30pm in the public hunting ground MA-10769 (La Mezquita–Arroyo Blanquillo, known as Sierra Llana). The council has warned the public to avoid the area, including paths such as Arroyo Blanquillo, Arroyo Zambrana, Jabalcuza (Pozo Povea zone), and Arroyo del Pinar, as well as any trails or access points used by hikers, cyclists, or nature enthusiasts. All recreational or sporting activities in the affected zone are prohibited during the event for safety reasons.

What is a boar “batida”?

A batida (also known as a driven hunt or battue in English) is a popular form of collective hunting in Spain, particularly for managing species like wild boar (jabalí), roe deer, or other game in wooded or mountainous areas. In a batida, a group of hunters divides into two main roles:

Batidores (beaters): These participants move through the terrain, often with or without dogs, making noise to flush out and drive the animals from cover.
Postores (shooters): Stationed in fixed positions along a line or perimeter, they wait to take shots as the game is pushed toward them.

This method is typically carried out in a single direction over a smaller area than other Spanish hunts like the montería (which uses more dogs and larger teams). It’s especially common in northern Spain

This action is authorised by the Junta de Andalucia under the framework of a temporary hunting emergency (emergencia cinegética temporal) declared across the entire Comunidad Autónoma de Andalucia. The measure targets overpopulation of wild boars (jabalíes) and feral pigs (cerdos asilvestrados), which have been causing substantial damage to agriculture, ecosystems, and road safety, alongside health risks including the prevention of African swine fever.

Declaration of emergency formally declared

The emergency was formally declared through a joint resolution on Friday, December 5, published in the Boletín Oficial de la Junta de Andalucía (BOJA), making it an approved local bylaw. It applies province-wide, including Malaga, and remains in force for the 2025/2026 hunting season, allowing exceptional methods such as batidas with no capture limits in many cases.

Similar controls have been implemented elsewhere in Malaga province. For example, within the city boundaries of Malaga, authorities have captured dozens of wild boars using archers and anaesthetic darts as part of urban control efforts, combined with monitoring and barriers to prevent animals from entering residential areas.

Official reports and news confirm that 45 wild boars were captured in Malaga city over one year using these methods.

In Mijas, hunters’ societies have conducted batidas in rural zones like Mancha El Molinillo to curb expansion, also under the regional emergency framework. The actions reflect a decade-long strategy by the Junta to manage growing wild boar populations across Andalucia.

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Experience Pico Del Cielo: Nerja’s Blue Trail

Published

9 hours ago

January 15, 2026

Elli Freeman

experience-pico-del-cielo:-nerja’s-blue-trail

The rescheduled date for Nerja’s first Blue Trail to Pico del Cielo (Sky’s Peak) has been announced for Sunday, January 25th, after extreme weather conditions forced the postponement of the event on December 21st. Organisers prioritised the safety of their guides and attendees, ensuring that participants can enjoy the hike in ideal conditions.

Meeting point and start time

The carpark next to the Nerja Caves will serve as the meeting point for the hike, which is set to start at 8:00am. This central location makes it easy for participants to gather before embarking on their adventure up Pico del Cielo.

Two hiking routes to suit all levels

Participants can choose to really test their limits with a 20-kilometre-long route, categorised as medium to high difficulty, or take a more relaxed approach with an intermediate route. For those unable to complete the full distance, an intermediate or final point has been designated, ensuring that everyone can enjoy the experience safely and comfortably.

Blue Trail distinction

No matter which route is chosen, the hike promises to be an exciting and refreshing way to start the day. The Pico del Cielo trail is a beautiful hiking route, accredited with the Blue Trail distinction -a prestigious award from the ADEAC recognising trails that have been recovered, preserved, and promoted for sustainable tourism and outdoor sports.

Organisers and community support

The Councillor for Sports expressed his gratitude to La Gineta Mountain Club for their support in organising the event. He also encouraged all nature lovers and mountain enthusiasts to participate in this unique initiative. Similarly, the Councillor for Environment highlighted that the main goal of the hike is to promote and preserve the Pico del Cielo trail, allowing participants to enjoy and appreciate this natural treasure.

Free registration and limited places

Participation in the hike is free for all attendees, but places are limited. Organisers encourage anyone interested to reserve their spot through the Municipal Sports Office, with registration open until all available spaces are filled.

Whether you are an experienced hiker or a nature enthusiast looking for a morning adventure, Nerja’s Blue Trail to Pico del Cielo promises a memorable outdoor experience.