Religious Festivals and Customs

Christian Festivals and Holy Observances

Las Navidades: This holiday, otherwise known as Christmas, is celebrated on December 25 to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. In Spain, it traditionally involves attending church services, giving and receiving gifts, feasting on traditional foods, and spending time with family and friends.
La Semana Santa: The Holy Week, one of Spain’s most important religious holidays, takes place in the week leading up to Easter. It commemorates the Passion of Christ and involves processions depicting scenes from the Gospels related to the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus.
Corpus Christi: Celebrated 60 days after Easter, it is a Catholic holiday dedicated to celebrating the Eucharist, the belief in the body and blood of Jesus Christ. It often involves a procession where the Holy Sacrament is carried through the streets.
El Dia de los Reyes Magos: The Day of the Three Wise Men is celebrated on January 6. Traditionally in Spain, children write letters to the Wise Men, in the same way as to Santa Claus, asking for gifts. There are also parades and celebrations in many cities.
El Camino de Santiago: This is not a festival, but a famous Christian pilgrimage route that ends in Santiago de Compostela in north-west Spain, where the tomb of the apostle Saint James the Great is believed to be situated.

Festivals with Religious Origins

San Fermín: Though the festival itself isn’t religious, it has religious origins. San Fermín is the patron saint of Pamplona, and the running of the bulls event starts when a statue of the saint is transported from one church to another.
El Día de Todos los Santos: All Saints’ Day, celebrated on November 1st, is a day when Spanish people remember deceased relatives. Families often visit cemeteries and leave flowers on loved ones’ graves.
Las Fallas: A popular festival in Valencia, originally a feast day for St. Joseph, the patron saint of carpenters. It has evolved into a five-day, multifaceted celebration of fire. Large puppets, structures called “ninots”, are built and burnt during the festival.

Tips for the Exam

Remember: Understanding these traditions and customs, and being able to discuss them in Spanish, can offer deeper insights into Spanish culture, its beliefs and values. It’s also useful to note similarities or differences with traditional celebrations in your own culture, as this may come up in conversational topics.