Spanish people do not celebrate the American holiday of Thanksgiving. The holiday is not part of the cultural or historical calendar in Spain. This is because Thanksgiving is a national observance tied to a specific historical event in North America, not a religious or international celebration. The Spanish calendar is instead filled with its own unique holidays that involve significant family gatherings and feasting. This difference in national holidays highlights the distinct cultural narratives and historical foundations of the two regions.
The American Origin of Thanksgiving
The Thanksgiving holiday is deeply rooted in the early colonial history of the United States, specifically tracing its popular narrative to a 1621 harvest celebration in Plymouth, Massachusetts. This event involved the English colonists, known as Pilgrims, and the Wampanoag people, who shared a meal after the Pilgrims’ first successful harvest in the New World.
The holiday was not established as a national observance until much later, during the American Civil War. President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a national day of thanksgiving in 1863, seeking to unite a war-weary nation. This action solidified the holiday’s status as a federal observance, celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November. The holiday is therefore a national, historical, and cultural institution specific to the United States.
Major Spanish Holidays and Traditions
While Spain does not observe Thanksgiving, the Spanish calendar features several major holidays that serve as the primary occasions for large family gatherings and traditional feasting. The Christmas season, which extends well into January, is the most significant period for these celebrations. The main family event is often Christmas Eve, known as Nochebuena, where families gather for a lavish, late-night dinner.
The Nochebuena feast typically features traditional dishes such as roasted lamb (cordero asado), seafood (mariscos), and various sweets like turrón and polvorones. Many families attend the Misa del Gallo, or Midnight Mass, after the meal, emphasizing the religious and communal nature of the evening. Christmas Day (Día de Navidad) is generally a quieter affair, with a relaxed lunch or visits to extended relatives.
The festive season culminates on January 6 with the Epiphany, or Día de Reyes (Three Kings’ Day), which is the traditional day for gift-giving in Spain. The evening before, the Cabalgata de Reyes (Three Kings Parade) takes place, with floats and the arrival of the Three Wise Men. Families celebrate the day with a special ring-shaped cake called Roscón de Reyes, which often contains a small figurine and a bean.
Beyond the winter holidays, Spanish culture also expresses community and gratitude through local patron saint festivals, known as fiestas patronales. These regional celebrations often involve processions, music, and communal meals, demonstrating a localized expression of shared heritage. These events, along with the major national holidays, fulfill the cultural need for large-scale family and community celebrations.