Tolosaldea
Christmas - Sin categoría

Christmas in Tolosaldea

Enjoy Christmas in Tolosaldea, see out the year in the heart of Gipuzkoa.

In the Basque Country, Christmas is traditionally celebrated around the table, and also in Tolosaldea. But it is also a time for stories and tales. The magic of Olentzero and Mari Domingi, and the renewing power of Christmas Eve water.

Special Days

December 24. Christmas Eve
You can see groups of friends and especially children singing Christmas carols from house to house dressed in traditional costumes. In general, people gather to have dinner. In many municipalities of Tolosaldea, Olentzero arrives at the end of the afternoon.

December 25. Christmas
The day begins with the excitement of the gifts that Olentzero has left and we gather to eat.

December 31. New Year’s Eve
We gather for dinner and begin the new year by eating 12 grapes, with the chimes of twelve o’clock.

January 1. New Year
Many Basques have the custom of beginning the year in the mountains, Uzturre, Txindoki, Hernio… and at midday we eat lunch.

January 5th, Epiphany Eve

In many municipalities, the Epiphany Parade is celebrated.

January 6th. Epiphany Day
Opening presents and eating the typical roscón.

Who is Olentzero?

Most countries have some mythological character who comes to wish a Merry Christmas and announce the New Year. Such as Father Christmas, Santa Claus, the Three Wise Men and Saint Nicholas, among many others.

Olentzero originally has a very direct relationship with fire. He is the character of the celebration of the winter solstice. Olentzero is a charcoal burner. The fire that burns the old is the representation of renewed strength.

Some say that Olentzero was abandoned in the forest and that Amalur (Mother Earth) rescued him.

Others say that he is the last jentil (a character from Basque mythology who is represented as a man of great size and strength), the only one left when Kixmi (Jesus) was born, the one who came down from the mountains to give the news.

14 / 12 - Market

20 / 12 - Charity Concert

20 / 12 - Special Market

22-24 / 12 - Craft Fair

26 / 12 - Basque Rural Sports

26-4 / 12-1 - Circus

30 / 12 - Concert

27 / 12 - Guided tour

Where to eat at Christmas?

Special days in our restaurants

Tolosaldea maintains the custom of celebrating dinners on December 24 and 31 at home, and most restaurants will remain closed on those days, as well as meals on December 25 and January 1.

But on other special days, there will be those who prepare delicious meals for you and others who will sell you traditional Christmas sweets for dessert.