Christmas Celebrations In Barcelona
By Advisor. Filed in Florida |
New Year’s Eve in Barcelona. Let’s start with the classics. The 12 grapes at midnight. A ubiquitous practice throughout Spain. So ever present in fact that the majority think the popular ritual dates back to pagan times, but its roots are actually quite modern and constitute apromoting marvel. 1909 was a big crop year for Spanish winemakers, and a grouping of savvy businessmen came up with an inventive plan to sell their excess grapes. Listen up, everyone! Grapes are good luck! It succeeded beyond all expectations…and turned out to be such a laugh that folk welcomed it as an element of their annual New Year’s Eve customs. Nowadays itis not possible to fantasize New Year’s Eve in Spain without a smattering ( and mouthful ) of grapes. Look for location barcelone to spend your holidays in the Catalan city.
Eating the grapes is done in numerous techniques : folk gather in public squares or location barcelone ( Plaza Catalunya and the Torre Agbar are local favorites ) or around a radio or TV set and wait for the countdown to midnight. Before the countdown begins, everyone is given twelve grapes, which are eaten, one at a time, to happen at the same time as the chimes. If youare new to this custom, two words of advice : seedless grapes! Eating the grapes in the street is less commonly found in Barcelona than in other bits of Spain. Although folk do gather in city squares, most neighbors like to eat the grapes at home or at a party. For the fourth year in a row, the chimes will be broadcast by TV3 and Catalunya Rdio from the iconic Agbar Tower. The event is a 21st century version of the standard church bells, using a flashy, decorative light show and electronic music to herald the New Year.
One thing you won’t see is an official fireworks display. Unlike any other cities, Barcelona has not got a tradition of New Year’s Eve fireworks ( they give you three night’s worth during La Merc instead ). You might see some here and there, as well as masses of firecrackers, but anyone anticipating a grand fireworks spectacular will be disappointed.
Many restaurants offer special dinner menus on New Year’s Eve, and almost all of the upscale celebrations include dinner and grapes. People choosing dinner at home or location appartement barcelone customarily leave the house shortly after midnight. As far as parties go, Barcelona is a place that caters to just about each preference, from sublime balls to mega-parties at sports arenas to personal affairs. The classic event is the gala dinner and ball – called a cotilln in Spanish – usually held at swank hotels, an elegant evening of cava ( Catalan bubbly ), exquisite dining, cocktails, dancing and – for the die-hard night owls – churros ( a type of fried pastry ) and chocolate at dawn.
Getting around is no problem : the underground, FGC trains and night buses run all night on New Year’s Eve.
finally the five Jan, the evening before 12th Night ( Epiphany, six Jan ) the Thee Kings ( or three wise Men of the New Testament ) arrive by boat at the waterfront of Barcelona ( Moll de la Fusta ) to be welcomed by the Mayor of the city and conducted to the nearby park of Ciutadella. From there the 3 Kings depart in their carriages, the principal part of a grand parade that proceeds slowly thru the streets and avenues of the centre towards the Olympic Stadium. The Kings and other participants in the parade throw barley sugar sweets and other sweets to the youngsters lining the route.
Book your location appartement barcelone to spend your holidays in Barcelona.
