Get started

Puerta del Sol in Madrid at Christmas

Spain is well-known for its fiestas and festivals. Almost every city, town and village has its own festival of some kind, which is usually a big street party for all the residents.

Some festivals are famous all over the world, such as the fireworks of Las Fallas, in Valencia, and the tomato throwing at La Tomatina.

Here are some useful verbs to use when talking about celebrations:

brindarto toast
celebrarto celebrate
decorarto decorate
disfrazarse to dress up
regalarto give a present

As in the UK, Christmas and New Year are big celebrations for many people. Here is some useful vocabulary to get started talking about them:

el Año NuevoNew Year
el árbol de NavidadChristmas tree
la costumbrecustom/tradition
los fuegos artificialesfireworks
el día festivopublic holiday/bank holiday
la fiestaparty/festival
la NavidadChristmas
la NochebuenaChristmas Eve
la NocheviejaNew Year's Eve
Papá NoelFather Christmas
la tradicióntradition
el villancicoChristmas carol
el BelénNativity scene
el día de los Santos Inocentessimilar to 'April Fools' Day, celebrated on the 28th December
el día de ReyesKings' Day/Epiphany, celebrated on the 6th of January
los Reyes Magos3 Wise Men
el día de NavidadChristmas Day
el día de Año NuevoNew Years' Day
las luceslights
Feliz NavidadHappy Christmas
Feliz Año NuevoHappy New Year
el turróntypical sweet Christmas delicacy
la Misa del Gallomidnight mass
los regalospresents
la lotería de Navidadtypical Christmas lottery celebrated on the 22nd of December, which indicates the beginning of the Christmas Season in Spain