Celebrating New Year’s Eve in Granada is usually a family affair. In the city center, the main place to welcome the new year is Plaza del Carmen. The square in front of Granada City Hall. Granada City Council or City hall They often organize live music in the square. Sometimes a laser or fireworks display takes place around midnight.
Another popular place to see in the new year is at the Sierra Nevada ski resort. Unless you have accommodation there, you will need to book transport back to Granada in advance. Note: Depending on the climate, you may need chains if there is snow and ice on the road at certain altitudes.
12 grapes at midnight
In Spain it is traditional to eat 12 grapes when midnight strikes. Although this tradition dates back some time, it is actually not that old. There have been records of this tradition of eating grapes to welcome the new year since 1882. However in 1909 it became popular due to a bumper harvest of grapes that particular year. With vendors packing 12 grapes for good luck “lucky grapes” to see in the new year.
To celebrate the Spanish style, you need to prepare a dozen grapes in advance. Seedless grapes work best. I can also recommend choosing smaller grapes over larger grapes.
If you go to a supermarket, you can find canned grapes. These are peeled, desired and already consumed in cans of 12. This is the best option to be able to eat all 12 within the time.
At every stroke of midnight you eat a grape. This tradition is believed 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 rarely managed to eat the grapes in time. It’s a big challenge.
New Year 2026 in Granada
As always the main place to see in the new year 2026, is in Plaza del Carmen outside Granada City Hall. At 11:30 pm on December 31, 2025, people will gather to watch the clock strike midnight and welcome the new year. Usually accompanied by a light and music show or even fireworks. It really gets busy, despite the cold temperatures.
Where to celebrate New Year’s Eve in Granada
Dining out on New Year’s Eve can be an expensive exercise. Most menus include dishes based on fish or seafood. Many restaurants close on December 31st (at night). If you plan to eat out, you need to plan ahead. Discover the places that offer New Year’s Eve Dinner Menus and book in advance. Locals tend to eat together like a family at home.
Expect to pay around 90 euros – 200 euros for dinner and drinks on New Year’s Eve. If you are staying in Granada on New Year’s Eve, it is essential to plan ahead. Especially what you’ll make for dinner on New Year’s Eve. Make sure you get something that suits your budget and location.
New Year’s Eve menus in Granada
Here are three options for celebrating dinners on Wednesday, December 31, 2025.
Guests Duck Palace It is an elegant 5-star hotel located in the center of Granada. For the celebration dinner on December 31st, there is a special 3-course meal. You need to book in advance as places are limited.
- Champagne welcome drink Taittinger Gross Reserve
- Riofrio Organic Caviar combined with Gray Goose
- Lobster with tropical salad from Motril
- Foie Gras with nougat, organic fig bread and spiced kefir.
- Black cod with cumin coconut bearnaise and sweet potato and seasoned vegetables.
- Filet Mignon with potato gratin
- White chocolate soup with candied orange and chocolate ice cream
- Traditional Christmas Sweets
- Lucky grapes
- Served with White Wine DO Rias Baixas Fillaboa 2024 VS Murua DO La Rioja 2021, Water, Soft Drinks, Beers, selection of coffees and teas.
The price is 195 euros (VAT included) per person.
Reservations: (+34) 958 535790 Address: Calle Solarillo de Gracia, 1, 18002 Granada
- Saffron Route in Darro Race. This restaurant is in front of the Alhambra, in the lower Albaicín, on Carrera del Darro. Previously, the NYE menu cost 120 euros for 10 courses including drinks. I don’t have information yet for 2025. Spaces are limited here, so you need to book in advance.
New Year’s Day
On January 1st, shops and museums are closed. The Alhambra Palace & Generalife is CLOSED on January 1, 2024. If you wish to visit during the New Year. You need book your tickets NOW for December 31st or January 2nd, 2024.
On the first day of the year, many restaurants also close. Mainly at lunch time. Some may open on the evening of January 1st. Be sure to get all supplies by January 31st in the morning. Mainly because January 1st and 2nd are local holidays in Granada.
Taking the day
On January 2nd, Granada celebrates another local festival. Known as El Día de la Toma, it means the seizure or taking of Granada. This day marks the conquest of the kingdom of Granada. Isabel and Fernando, the Catholic kings, took over the city on this day in 1492. This celebration is controversial and some locals believe that it is outdated to celebrate this date. The main part of the day takes place at Granada City Hall in Plaza del Carmen at 12 noon.
January 2nd party
The ceremony consists of a flag raised on the balcony of the city hall. Then there is a parade with military personnel and local authorities through the historic center. They ring the bell of the Alhambra watchtower, Torre de la Vela. Just like they would have done centuries ago. This celebration of the historic date only lasts about 1 hour. However, traffic is affected as the city center is closed to vehicles for most of the morning.
A Spanish Christmas
Three Kings in Granada
Cabalgata will be on the night of January 5th that the three Kings of the East will arrive in Granada. The kings and their cavalcade throw sweets as they walk through the city center. The parade starts at C/Reitor Lopez Argueta. Then follow Gran Via and go down to the city center to Puerta Real. To see the exact route, consult the local press from the previous day.
These times are taken from previous years, please check!
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- Start: 6pm at Plaza Gran Capitan
- St. John of God Street
- Gran Vía de Colón and then going down Calle Reyes Católicos,
- Puerta Real and then to Plaza del Humilladero
- Virgin race
- Puerta Real and Plaza del Campillo
- Return to Calle Reyes Católicos and complete the route at Plaza del Carmen or Granada City Hall. Estimate for 10:30 pm.
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Parade of the Three Kings
While watching the parade, you can keep an eye out for umbrellas. Some people open it, turn it upside down, to get more sweets. Some people also use stairs to get a good view. There are 25 floats this year and around 10,000 kg of sweets thrown by hundreds of actors in the Granada parade. This has been happening for over 100 years in Granada, one of the oldest parades in Spain.
It began in 1912. In this first edition, local poet Federico García Lorca even participated. You will enjoy this lively street parade known as Cabalgata de Reyes Magos and you might even fill your pockets with some sweets.
Fermín Goblin
As soon as the Cabalgata ends at the City Hall. Duende Fermín appears on the balcony of Plaza del Carmen. He thanks the three kings and tells the local children to go to bed on time. Remind them to be good so they receive their Christmas gifts. After this talk by Duende Fermín, fireworks close the celebrations of the cavalcade over Granada City Hall.
If it’s the beans you found, you will pay for this dessert.
but if you are the crowned figure and King you will be
Roscón de Reyes
The stores are open late on January 5th (until midnight). This is a great time to buy a typical Roscón de Reyes. This traditional cake is for the 5th or 6th of January. A brioche-style mix, topped with candied fruit and sugar. The fillings are white cream (custard) or crème patisserie (cream). Other fillings are also becoming popular, such as truffles or chocolate.
Be careful with objects inside Roscón. The Spanish answer for sixpence or three centavos is The beans. Inside each roscon you will find a dried bean. If you get this by the slice, tradition says you must pay for the whole cake. However, you might have better luck and find the king. If you do this, you will be the king of that day. Typically you are given a cardboard crown to wear. To avoid problems between siblings, parents ask the baker to place a king for each child.
Coal for naughty children
In Spain, Christmas presents arrive on the morning of January 6th. After the three kings of the East free them on the night of the 5th. If you have been naughty, it is traditional for them to leave coal instead of gifts. To make this custom kinder to naughty children, there is a sweet charcoal version. This black sugar-based treat is a warning to be good next year.
January sales in Spain
In Spain, January sales start at 10am on Sunday, January 7, 2024. Stores will open on that day.
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