New Years Eve in Granada

Celebrating New Years Eve in Granada is generally a family affair. In the city centre the main spot to welcome the new year is Plaza del Carmen. The square outside Granada Town Hall. Granada city council or Ayuntamiento usually organise live music in the square. Sometimes a laser light display or fireworks happen around midnight. Due to a high level of COVID cases in December 2021 the celebration wont be happening this year. 

Another popular place to see the new year in is at Sierra Nevada ski resort. Unless you have accommodation there you will need to make to get transport back to Granada booked ahead of time. Note: Depending on the weather, you may need chains if there is snow and ice on the road at certain altitudes. 

12 grapes at Midnight

In Spain it´s traditional to eat 12 grapes as midnight strikes. To celebrate Spanish style you need to get a dozen grapes ready beforehand. Seedless grapes work best. I can also recommend choosing smaller grapes rather than bigger ones.

If you pop into a supermarket you might find tinned grapes. These ones are peeled, deseeded and already come in tins of 12. This is the best option to be able to eat all 12 within the time.

On each chime of midnight you eat a grape. This tradition is believe to bring good luck for the new year. Each of the 12 grapes represents a month of the new year. Even after living in Spain for so many years I have rarely managed to eat the grapes in time. Its quite a challenge.

New Year 2021 in Granada

Due to the Covid pandemic local rules in Granada will be as follows:

• Mask wearing is obligatory indoors and outdoors.
• A Valid Covid pass/Vaccination Certificate with QR code is required to go inside Restaurants, Bars, Nightclubs and other leisure activities.
• Plaza del Carmen will not hold its traditional event. It is cancelled on 31 Dec 2021.

Where to celebrate New Years Eve in Granada

Dining out on New Years Eve can be an costly exercise. Most menus include elaborate dishes made of fish or seafood. Many restaurants are closed on 31st December (in the evening) If you intend to eat out you need to plan ahead. Find out the places that are offering New Years Eve Dinner Menus and book in advance. Locals tend to eat together as a family at home.

Expect to pay around 70 euros – 200 euros for a New Years Eve dinner and drinks. If you are staying in Granada over New Years, it is essential to plan ahead. Especially what your will do for dinner on New Years Eve. Make sure you get something that suits your budget and location.

New Year Eve Menus in Granada

Here are three options that I have information about so far this year for 31 December 2021.

Hospes Palacio de los Patos is an elegant 5 star hotel located in the centre of Granada. For their celebration dinner on 31st December there have a 7 course meal. You need to book ahead as spaces are limited.

Price is 180 euros (inc IVA) per person.  There is a vegetarian option too.

Bookings:  (+34) 958 535790  Address: Calle Solarillo de Gracia, 1, 18002 Granada

• El Secreto de Humphrey Restaurant on Calle General Narváez (just off Calle Recogidas)  This year they have an 8 course meal with limited covers. Starting at 9pm the cost is 80 euros per person including Wine and Cava. (Menu in Red above)
• Restaurante La Platea are located close to the Forum building. Their New Years Eve menu is 100 euros for a four course meal following aperitive.  More details: restaurantelaplatea.com
• Ruta del Azafrán on Carrera del Darro. This restaurante is opposite the Alhambra in the lower Albaicín on Carrera del Darro. Their NYE menu is priced at 110 euros for 10 courses including drinks. Spaces are limited so you need to book ahead. (full menu below in Black and White) 

New Years Day

On the 1st January shops and museums are closed. The Alhambra Palace is not open on 1st January 2020. If you want to visit during new year. You need to book your tickets for 31st December or 2nd January 2020.

On the first day of the year many restaurants are closed too. Especially at lunchtime. Some may open on the evening of the 1st January. Make sure you get any supplies on 31st Jan in the morning. Particularly as both the 1st and 2nd January are local holidays in Granada.

Dia de la Toma

On the 2nd January Granada celebrates another local festival.  Known as El Día de la Toma it means the seizing or the taking of Granada. This day marks the conquest of the kingdom of Granada. Isabel and Ferdinand, the Catholic kings took over the city on this day in 1492. This celebration is controversial and some local s believe that it is outdated to celebrate this date. The main part of the day is held at Granada Town Hall in Plaza del Carmen at 12 noon.

2nd of January Fiesta

The ceremony is comprised fo a flag being waved from the town hall balcony. Afterwards there is a parade with military and local authorities through the old town. They ring the bell on the Alhambra´s watchtower, Torre de la Vela. In the same way that they would centuries ago. This celebration of the historic date only lasts about 1 hour. However traffic is affected as the city centre is closed to vehicles throughout most of the morning.

Three Kings in Granada

Cabalgata will be on in 2022. Early on the evening of the 5th January the three Kings of orient arrive in Granada. The kings and their calvalcade throw sweets as they walk through the city centre. The parade sets off from C/Rector Lopez Argueta. Then it moves along Gran Via and down into centre of town to Puerta Real. To see the exact route check local press the day before.

• • • Starts: 6.00pm at Plaza Gran Capitán
    • Calle San Juan de Dios
    • Gran Vía de Colón then down along Calle Reyes Católicos,
    • Puerta Real then to Plaza del Humilladero
    • Carrera de la Virgen
    • Puerta Real and to Plaza del Campillo
    • Back to Calle Reyes Católicos and completes the route in Plaza del Carmen or Granada Town Hall. Estimated 10.30pm.

Cabalgata de Reyes

While watching the parade you may want to keep an eye out for umbrellas. Some people open them, turn them upside down, so they may catch more sweets. Some people take stepladders to get a good view too. There are around 20 floats and around 10,000 kgs of sweets throw by hundreds of actors in the Granada parade. This has been going more than 100 years in Granada, one of Spain´s oldest parades. It began in 1912. In that first edition even local Poet Federico García Lorca took part. You will enjoy this lively street parade known as Cabalgata de Reyes Magos and you may even line your  pockets with some sweets.

Duende Fermin

Si es el haba lo encontrado este postre pagarás

más si ello es la figura coronado y Rey serás

Roscón de Reyes

Coal for Naughty Children

In Spain the morning of the 6th January is when the Christmas gifts arrive. After the three kings of orient have delivered them the night of the 5th. If you have been naughty, it´s traditional that they leave coal instead of gifts. To make this custom more gentle for mischievous children there is a sweet version of coal. This black sugar based treat is a warning to be good next year.

January Sales in Spain

In Spain the January sales begin at 10am on Friday 7th January 2022. Shops also open on the first Sunday of the sales from 11am to 4pm.  (Sunday 9th January 2022)