christmas

Twelve days of Spanish Christmas: our pick of hidden holiday traditions to discover in Andalucia

FORGET the snow and Santa – Christmas in Andalucia is a festive feast full of quirky customs, mouth-watering food, and colourful celebrations you won’t find

25 Dec, 2025 @ 10:30

Andalucia·Lead·Olive Press Travel

These hiking routes among Malaga’s snow-capped mountaintops are perfect for a Christmas escape -here’s what you need to know

IF you think Malaga is all sun loungers and seaside chiringuitos, Christmas is the season that proves otherwise. When the crowds thin out and temperatures

23 Dec, 2025 @ 09:53

Lead·Malaga·Olive Press Travel

What is El Gordo? Spain’s national Christmas lottery takes place this weekend

EXPLAINER: Why Spain is obsessed with the lottery – and how it really works as this year’s winners are announced

EVERY December, televisions across Spain are tuned to the same hypnotic sound: schoolchildren singing out long strings of numbers in a chant that seems to

22 Dec, 2025 @ 16:00

EXPLAINER·Lead·National News

Warning for drivers in Andalucia as police to step up drink-driving checks over the festive period – what you need to know

POLICE are to ramp up drink-driving checks on Andalusian roads over the Christmas holidays, authorities have warned. The Andalusian government said it would set up

17 Dec, 2025 @ 09:26

Andalucia·Lead

Basic food prices have soared by over 38% since 2019 in Spain

Good news as Spain’s inflation rate cools in November – despite food prices rising in run up to Christmas

SPAIN’S inflation rate fell for the first time in six months in November, easing to a 3 per cent year-on-year rise. The figure, released last

15 Dec, 2025 @ 10:44

Business & Finance·Lead

paula soler-moya, con licencia como CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.

LIFE IN SPAIN: Christmas markets are everywhere once again – but what can their subtle differences teach us about Spanish history and culture, asks FIONA GOVAN

At the Christmas markets that pop up across Spain you’ll still find clues to long treasured traditions that are quintessentially Spanish.

9 Dec, 2025 @ 14:00

Exploring Spain·La Cultura·Lead·Must Read·Olive Press Travel·Opinion·Other News·Travel News

Christmas is the perfect time to visit this town on Spain’s northern coast crammed full with UNESCO and Historic-Artistic sites

IF you are dreaming of a Christmas escape that feels like stepping into a storybook, you just cannot go wrong with Santillana del Mar –

2 Dec, 2025 @ 11:27

Cantabria·Lead·Olive Press Travel

El Gordo could get even fatter: Ticket sellers for Spain’s Christmas lottery urge government to up prize in line with inflation

SPAIN’S annual Christmas lottery could get even fatter after ticket sellers for El Gordo called on the government to increase the draw’s top prize in

6 Nov, 2025 @ 15:30

La Cultura·Lead

Snails and thistles: Join the Olive Press on a Christmas culinary tour of Spain

AS us Brits continue to digest our Christmas dinner it is maybe time to reflect on the alternatives we have for next year – after

30 Dec, 2024 @ 12:00

For Foodies·Olive Press Travel

Spain's royal family pay tribute to Valencia flood victims inside their annual Christmas card

How Spain’s Royal Family celebrates Christmas

SPAIN’S Royal Family always has a busy festive period which they started by releasing their Christmas cards early in December. King Felipe, Queen Letizia, and

24 Dec, 2024 @ 08:00

Lead·Madrid

WATCH: Outrage as councillor is accused of rigging a local lottery in Spain’s Andalucia after pulling the name of a co-worker’s mother – for the second year in a row

A CHRISTMAS lottery in Andalucia has been thrown into disrepute after eagle-eyed onlookers suspected a local councillor of rigging its outcome. Jose Luis Madueño, a

17 Jan, 2024 @ 16:02

Andalucia·Jaen·Lead·Politics

Adorable unwanted shelter dog Agus is adopted by a nursing home in Spain – and the pictures will melt your heart

A SPANISH nursing home has adopted an adorable shelter dog and the pictures are sure to make you smile. Residents at the Amavir El Encinar

22 Dec, 2023 @ 12:49

Animals·Lead

Which supermarkets in Spain will remain open over Christmas and New Year?

CHRISTMAS and New Year can be a tricky time for shopping, so here’s all you need to know about which shops will be open throughout

22 Dec, 2023 @ 10:00

Lead

THIS will be the winning number in Spain’s famous El Gordo lottery this year - according to AI

Don’t trust anyone with your ticket and claim your prize straight away: Here is the Spanish police’s official advice ahead of tomorrow’s ‘El Gordo’ Christmas lottery draw in Spain

FOR MANY Spaniards, Christmas doesn’t really begin until the sound of the children from Madrid’s San Ildefonso school can be heard singing the winning numbers

21 Dec, 2023 @ 13:13

Lead

This centuries’ old Christmas market in Spain is among the best in EUROPE this year – according to Elle magazine

ELLE magazine has named this Christmas market in Spain among the best in Europe. The ‘mercado’ is the oldest in the country, with over 200

20 Dec, 2023 @ 12:23

Barcelona·Catalunya·Lead·Olive Press Travel

Spain's Royal Family releases 2023 Christmas card

Spain’s Royal Family releases Christmas card, but is the yearly tradition falling behind the times?

THE SPANISH Royal Family this week released its annual Christmas card, which features a previously unseen picture of King Felipe VI, his wife Queen Letizia,

14 Dec, 2023 @ 12:34

Lead

Los Pasillos De Aeropuerto Adolfo Suarez Madrid Barajas Practicamente Vacios Por El Covid19

Fresh airport strikes in Spain: Baggage handlers to walk out on these dates in December and January

SPAIN’S two biggest labour unions, UGT and CCOO, have called eight days of strike action for Spanish airline Iberia’s ground service staff over the Christmas

14 Dec, 2023 @ 11:16

Business & Finance·Lead·Travel News

Where’s winter? Highs of 27C on Spain’s Costa del Sol THIS week – before a ‘colder than usual’ Christmas

SPAIN is expecting a winter chill as Christmas experts warn it will be ‘colder than usual’. According to the State Weather Agency (AEMET), temperatures are

11 Dec, 2023 @ 13:05

Andalucia·Lead·Malaga

Festive greetings in Spain: How to wish your local friends a merry Christmas and a happy new year

EVERYONE knows the phrase ‘feliz navidad’, but do you know other festive greetings that will make you seem like a local? Feliz navidad Meaning ‘Happy

8 Dec, 2023 @ 11:17

Lead

Why is there a ‘high risk’ of terror attacks in the EU this Christmas? Warning from Brussels follows a series of Jihadist arrests in Spain

OFFICIALS in Brussels have warned there is a ‘high risk’ of terror attacks across Europe this Christmas. European Commissioner Ylva Johansson issued the warning this

6 Dec, 2023 @ 11:56

Crime & Law·Lead

WATCH: Adorable chocolate labrador joins the local police on Spain’s Costa del Sol after being rescued

AN ADORABLE chocolate labrador has not only joined the local police force in Malaga on Spain’s Costa del Sol, but has also been chosen to

5 Dec, 2023 @ 15:44

Lead·Malaga

Watch: Moment Malaga Christmas lights are switched on goes viral – as everyone makes the same comment

MALAGA’s famous Christmas lights were switched on this weekend, sparking criticism on social media. Calle Larios in Malaga’s city centre was full of people on

27 Nov, 2023 @ 15:00

Andalucia·Lead·Malaga

Christmas in Andalucia: When will the major cities of Spain’s biggest region turn on their impressive light displays?

THE festive season will kick off in Andalucia this weekend as cities across the region switch on their Christmas lights. The smell of chestnuts in

23 Nov, 2023 @ 15:15

Almeria·Andalucia·Cadiz·Cordoba·Granada·Huelva·Jaen·Lead·Malaga·Must Read·Olive Press Travel·Sevilla

Christmas PR wars: Several towns in Europe – including Spain – claim to have the tallest tree this year… but who is telling the truth?

AT 57 metres tall, Granada, Spain claims to be home to Europe’s biggest Christmas tree, but so does Portugal and Italy, so who really comes

10 Nov, 2023 @ 13:16

Andalucia·Granada·Lead

Malaga’s iconic Christmas lights are already being prepared: This is when they will be switched on

MALAGA will switch on its famous Christmas lights with a celebration and brand new light show. The Cordoban company in charge of the spectacle is

12 Oct, 2023 @ 11:28

Andalucia·Malaga

How government scrooges in 1882 accidentally created Spain’s obsession with gobbling 12 grapes on New Year’s Eve

THE minute hand on Madrid’s Puerta de Sol clock tower nears midnight. Millions of Spaniards already have a grape in their mouth. Millions of others

31 Dec, 2022 @ 14:15

Alicante·La Cultura·Lead·Madrid·Must Read·Other News

Twelve days of Spanish Christmas: our pick of hidden holiday traditions to discover in Andalucia

These hiking routes among Malaga’s snow-capped mountaintops are perfect for a Christmas escape -here’s what you need to know

EXPLAINER: Why Spain is obsessed with the lottery – and how it really works as this year’s winners are announced

Warning for drivers in Andalucia as police to step up drink-driving checks over the festive period – what you need to know

Good news as Spain’s inflation rate cools in November – despite food prices rising in run up to Christmas

LIFE IN SPAIN: Christmas markets are everywhere once again – but what can their subtle differences teach us about Spanish history and culture, asks FIONA GOVAN

Christmas is the perfect time to visit this town on Spain’s northern coast crammed full with UNESCO and Historic-Artistic sites

El Gordo could get even fatter: Ticket sellers for Spain’s Christmas lottery urge government to up prize in line with inflation

Snails and thistles: Join the Olive Press on a Christmas culinary tour of Spain

How Spain’s Royal Family celebrates Christmas

WATCH: Outrage as councillor is accused of rigging a local lottery in Spain’s Andalucia after pulling the name of a co-worker’s mother – for the second year in a row

Adorable unwanted shelter dog Agus is adopted by a nursing home in Spain – and the pictures will melt your heart

Which supermarkets in Spain will remain open over Christmas and New Year?

Don’t trust anyone with your ticket and claim your prize straight away: Here is the Spanish police’s official advice ahead of tomorrow’s ‘El Gordo’ Christmas lottery draw in Spain

This centuries’ old Christmas market in Spain is among the best in EUROPE this year – according to Elle magazine

Spain’s Royal Family releases Christmas card, but is the yearly tradition falling behind the times?

Fresh airport strikes in Spain: Baggage handlers to walk out on these dates in December and January

Where’s winter? Highs of 27C on Spain’s Costa del Sol THIS week – before a ‘colder than usual’ Christmas

Festive greetings in Spain: How to wish your local friends a merry Christmas and a happy new year

Why is there a ‘high risk’ of terror attacks in the EU this Christmas? Warning from Brussels follows a series of Jihadist arrests in Spain

WATCH: Adorable chocolate labrador joins the local police on Spain’s Costa del Sol after being rescued

Watch: Moment Malaga Christmas lights are switched on goes viral – as everyone makes the same comment

Christmas in Andalucia: When will the major cities of Spain’s biggest region turn on their impressive light displays?

Christmas PR wars: Several towns in Europe – including Spain – claim to have the tallest tree this year… but who is telling the truth?

Malaga’s iconic Christmas lights are already being prepared: This is when they will be switched on

How government scrooges in 1882 accidentally created Spain’s obsession with gobbling 12 grapes on New Year’s Eve

FROM THE ARCHIVES: Who is that crawling up my wall? What you should know about geckos in Spain

The ancient capitals of Spain – Ten cities that were once seats of Spanish power

FROM THE ARCHIVES: Prostitution soars in Marbella as pimps across Spain move to running operations out of apartments – thanks to legal loophole

Twelve days of Spanish Christmas: our pick of hidden holiday traditions to discover in Andalucia

YOU’RE COOKING THAT?: The Christmas dishes of half a dozen top Spanish chefs, some who won’t touch the festive favourite Jamon