Holidays bring people together — lights, music, food, and happy wishes. Today, you’ll learn simple Spanish words and phrases to talk about celebrations across Spanish‑speaking countries. We’ll cover key vocabulary, easy grammar, and cultural snapshots, with quick exercises to help you use the language right away.

Starter vocabulary for celebrations

Here are friendly, everyday words you’ll hear around any fiesta. Read the examples in Spanish, and check the English translation to understand them clearly.

Quick practice: use the verb “celebrar”

Complete the sentence with the right form. The hint tells you the English meaning.

En Navidad, nosotros con la familia.

Cultural snapshots: big holidays you’ll hear about

Let’s explore a few famous celebrations and the simple phrases people use. Read the Spanish sentence and its translation, then notice one cultural detail.

Across the Spanish‑speaking world, families meet, eat, and exchange regalos (gifts). You’ll hear carols, see nacimientos (nativity scenes), and share sweet breads.

New Year’s often includes fuegos artificiales (fireworks) and a fun tradition: eating 12 grapes at midnight in Spain for good luck.

Carnival is a joyful time before Lent, famous in places like Barranquilla (Colombia) and Tenerife (Spain). Expect music, dances, and colorful costumes.

Holy Week is solemn and beautiful, especially in Seville (Spain) and Antigua (Guatemala). People carry religious images through the streets in long processions.

On Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), families honor loved ones with ofrendas (altars) full of marigolds, candles, photos, and favorite foods.

A quinceañera celebrates a girl’s fifteenth birthday in many Latin American communities. It’s a big, elegant fiesta with family and friends.

Word order practice: build a simple sentence

Reorder the words to form a correct sentence about a holiday tradition.

More holiday words you’ll love

These words help you describe what you see and do during celebrations.

Conversation practice: plan a parade meet‑up

Put the lines in a natural order. It’s a simple chat between friends. After you order them, check the translation below to confirm your understanding.

Translations:

• A: Hola, ¿vas al desfile hoy? — Hi, are you going to the parade today?
• B: Sí, voy con mi familia. — Yes, I’m going with my family.
• A: ¿A qué hora empieza? — What time does it start?
• B: A las cinco. — At five o’clock.
• A: ¡Nos vemos allí! — See you there!

Mini‑quiz: match holidays and words

Choose the best answer and then read the explanation.

Feliz Navidads! → Feliz Navidad! “Navidad” is singular; don’t add an -s here. el Navidad → la Navidad “Navidad” is feminine, so use “la”. del Navidad → de Navidad Use “de Navidad”. “Del” = “de el”, and “Navidad” uses la. Fuegas artificiales → Fuegos artificiales Spelling: fuegos, not fuegas.

Light grammar: talking about dates and places

You can point to time and place with very simple patterns:

• En + month: “En diciembre, hay luces.” — In December, there are lights.
• En + country/city: “En México, hay ofrendas.” — In Mexico, there are offerings.
• El/La + holiday: “La Navidad es especial.” — Christmas is special.
• Hay + noun: “Hay un desfile.” — There is a parade. These patterns are great for short, confident sentences.

Fill‑in: greetings

Complete the classic holiday greeting.

Feliz

Wrap‑up

You’ve learned the must‑know holiday words: fiesta, celebrar, regalo, desfile, fuegos artificiales, tradición — plus cultural favorites like ofrenda, vela, máscara, procesión, and nacimiento. You practiced short, real sentences and easy patterns like En + place and Hay + noun.

Next time you see a celebration, try a simple Spanish comment:

• “¡Qué bonito el desfile!” — “What a beautiful parade!”
• “¡Feliz Año Nuevo!” — “Happy New Year!”
• “Hoy celebramos en familia.” — “Today we celebrate with family.”

Keep it short. Keep it friendly. And celebrate your progress — ¡vamos! (Let’s go!)