Every 22nd of December, Spain comes to a standstill. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a Monday or a Friday, whether you’re at home, at work or on your way to school: from nine o’clock in the morning, something hangs in the air. Televisions murmur in the background, radios are switched on, and phones are checked constantly. It’s the day of the Extraordinary Christmas Lottery Draw, a tradition that goes far beyond money and that, year after year, manages to bring together families, friends, work colleagues and even neighbours who barely greet each other the rest of the year.
But why is this draw so important? What is it about it that generates such expectation and collective emotion?
To begin with, it is the oldest and most popular lottery draw in Spain. It has been held since 1812, in the middle of the War of Independence, and since then it has accompanied the country through every stage of its history: crises, prosperous times, and social and generational changes. It is a fixed date with history, something that has “always been there”, and that creates a powerful emotional bond.
One of its most recognizable elements is, without a doubt, the singing of the children from San Ildefonso. Their voices, chanting numbers and prizes in that very particular rhythm, are the official soundtrack to the start of Christmas. No matter how old you are: listening to them awakens memories, nostalgia and an almost childlike sense of excitement. It is a shared language that everyone understands.
What’s more, the Christmas Lottery is not played alone. Unlike other draws, here it is normal to share lottery tickets. You buy one with your family, another with friends, another at work, another at your usual bar… and, before you realise it, you are connected to many people through a simple piece of paper. If it wins, it wins for everyone. And if it doesn’t, at least the hope is shared.
This act of sharing is key to understanding why it brings families and friends together. The 22nd of December becomes the perfect excuse to get together, have breakfast together, comment on the numbers, celebrate small prizes or comfort each other if luck isn’t on your side. It’s not just about winning, but about experiencing the moment together.
There is also the element of collective hope. For a few hours, anything seems possible. People dream of paying off the mortgage, travelling, helping a family member, starting a business or simply living with a little less worry. And when “El Gordo” lands in a neighborhood, a town or a specific lottery office, the joy multiplies and spreads. You don’t even need to win to feel emotional watching others celebrate.
At its heart, the Christmas Lottery works as a social ritual. It marks the real beginning of the festive season, invites us to pause, look around and feel part of something bigger. It is tradition, yes, but it is also community, shared memory and renewed hope.
That’s why, every 22nd of December, even though we know the most likely outcome is that we won’t win, we still watch the draw with a smile. Because, in the end, the real luck is being able to live it together.
