How Christmas Is Experienced in France, Italy, Spain & Portugal
Christmas in Southern Europe is shaped by centuries of history, family traditions, and exceptional food. Rooted in longstanding cultural customs and strong regional identities, the festive season in France, Italy, Spain, and Portugal offers a slower, more atmospheric way to experience winter, one that revolves around shared meals, local rituals, and a deep sense of place
At Gourmand Breaks, for nearly 30 years we have been specialising in immersive culinary and cultural journeys across Southern Europe, and Christmas is one of the most rewarding times to travel. From refined Réveillon dinners in France to seafood-focused Christmas Eves in Italy, lively Three Kings celebrations in Spain, and heartfelt family traditions in Portugal, here’s how the festive season is traditionally experienced in the four countries we know best.
Christmas Traditions in France Christmas in France (Noël) blends heritage, gastronomy, and regional folklore, with Christmas Eve often taking centre stage.
Le Réveillon de Noël On the evening of 24 December, families traditionally gather for Le Réveillon, a long, elegant dinner. Historically enjoyed after Midnight Mass (la messe de minuit), today many families choose to dine earlier, while major cathedrals such as Notre-Dame de Paris still hold traditional midnight services for those who wish to attend or observe.
The Réveillon meal is a true celebration of French cuisine and typically includes foie gras, oysters, roast turkey stuffed with chestnuts, and the classic Bûche de Noël, a sponge cake shaped like a Yule log, flavored with chocolate, coffee, or chestnut cream. . In Provence, the meal often concludes with the famous 13 Desserts, a regional tradition deeply rooted in local history.
Throughout France, nativity scenes (crèches) are widely displayed. In Provence, hand-painted clay figurines called santons depict not only biblical characters but also local villagers, offering a vivid snapshot of local life and tradition.
Alsace remains a favourite winter destination for many of our guests. Known for its storybook villages, excellent wines, and festive Christmas markets (marchés de Noël), it’s an ideal place to enjoy mulled wine, artisanal crafts, and regional specialities in a joyful seasonal atmosphere.
Christmas Traditions in Italy In Italy, the Christmas season (Natale) is closely tied to family gatherings, regional cuisine, and artistic expression, with celebrations continuing well into January.
Italy is the birthplace of the presepe (nativity scene), and this tradition is deeply woven into Italian culture. In Naples, the famous Via San Gregorio Armeno, often called “Christmas Alley,” showcases extraordinary handcrafted nativity figurines. Along the Amalfi Coast and in many villages, elaborate displays and living nativity scenes organised by local communities transform historic settings into theatrical cultural events.
La Vigilia Christmas Eve dinner (La Vigilia) is especially important. In many parts of Italy, particularly in the south, the meal is traditionally meat-free. Typical dishes include seafood pasta, fried eel (capitone), and salt cod (baccalà).
Christmas Day is reserved for indulgent family lunches featuring lasagna, tortellini in broth, roast meats, and festive desserts such as panettone or pandoro.
La Befana A uniquely Italian tradition is La Befana, celebrated on 6 January. This witch-like, but benevolent, casalinga (housewife) brings sweets (or coal) to children, symbolically sweeping away the misfortunes of the old year and marking the official end of the Christmas season.
Christmas Traditions in Spain Christmas in Spain (Navidad) is a long and lively season characterised by public celebrations, shared traditions, and strong community spirit.
El Gordo: The Christmas Lottery The festive season truly begins on 22 December with El Gordo de Navidad, the world’s largest lottery. Families, workplaces, and even entire villages often buy tickets together, gathering around televisions to watch children sing the winning numbers — a uniquely Spanish Christmas ritual.
Nochebuena and the Three Kings On Christmas Eve (Nochebuena), families gather for a generous dinner featuring seafood, roast lamb, or suckling pig, followed by traditional sweets such as turrón, polvorones, and mantecados. While Santa Claus is increasingly present, gift-giving traditionally takes place on 6 January, during Día de los Reyes Magos (Three Kings Day). On the evening before, towns and cities host colorful parades as the Three Kings arrive by carriage, boat, horseback, or even helicopter, scattering sweets for children along the way.
Nativity scenes (belénes) are an important part of Spanish seasonal décor, with elaborate displays found in homes, churches, and town halls. Traditional Christmas carols known as villancicos are sung throughout the season, adding to the festive ambiance.
Christmas Traditions in Portugal In Portugal, Christmas (Natal) is marked by simplicity, close family ties and long standing traditions, with the most important celebrations taking place on Christmas Eve.
Consoada The main Christmas meal, known as Consoada, is enjoyed on 24 December. The star ingredient is almost always codfish (bacalhau), typically boiled with potatoes and cabbage, while octopus features prominently in some regions. Many locals attend Missa do Galo (Rooster’s Mass) at midnight, while others simply continue the evening at home, sharing desserts and conversation. Seasonal sweets include Bolo Rei (King Cake), filhós and sonhos (fried pastries), and arroz doce, a creamy rice pudding flavoured with lemon zest and cinnamon.
Nativity scenes (presépios) are widely displayed, and in some traditions the figure of Baby Jesus is placed in the manger at midnight, marking a symbolic moment within the local custom.
Experiencing the Festive Season in Southern Europe with Gourmand Breaks
Whether you celebrate Christmas, observe it from the outside, or simply enjoy travelling during the festive season, winter in Southern Europe offers a rich tapestry of local cuisine, seasonal markets, and time-honored traditions.
For travelers seeking meaningful cultural experiences through food, wine, and regional heritage, this is a uniquely atmospheric time to explore France, Italy, Spain, and Portugal — and one that aligns perfectly with the immersive journeys curated by us here at Gourmand Breaks.