Christmas on the Camino (Starting late Dec)

[GeoRivero]

Hello,

I am hoping to walk the Camino starting from SJJP on Dec 22, with the idea to be in Pamplona Christmas Eve and day if needed (since things a probably closed Christmas day). I'm wondering if anyone reading this is planning to start their Camino around that time?

Also, I am hoping for some holidays advise. Would you suggest staying in Pamplona two days to avoid closed restaurants and Accommodation on Christmas day or would you walk on to Puente de la Riena? Also, for New Years/Day with this schedule I would be in Santo Domingo De la Calzada on New Years Eve (same questions as above would you stay there two days to avoid walking on such an observed holiday)? I don't mind the two nights in Pamplona but I don't think I want to stay in Santo Domingo two nights. What are your experiences walking through the holidays like this?

I have walked the Camino several times now, once during winter. I understand the weather aspect and the need to plan a bit more since so many accommodations are closed. But the holidays are new for me on the Camino and would like some advice

Thank you and Buen Camino

 

[J Willhaus]

We served at Granon just past Santo Domingo over Christmas in 2018. Some albergues will be open so talk to hospitaleros and look at the Winter Albergue (aprinca) site for some help. You may need to phone ahead for rooms. We were open for Christmas and all holidays around that time of year in Granon as were some others. It was a festive time to be serving with a small group of pilgrims.
We were in Burgos for the 3 Kings parade Jan 6 and that was especially fun!

Another year we served in Zamora over Christmas holudays and there were many events there as well.

 

[GeoRivero]

We served at Granon just past Santo Domingo over Christmas in 2018. Some albergues will be open so talk to hospitaleros and look at the Winter Albergue (aprinca) site for some help. You may need to phone ahead for rooms. We were open for Christmas and all holidays around that time of year in Granon as were some others. It was a festive time to be serving with a small group of pilgrims.
We were in Burgos for the 3 Kings parade Jan 6 and that was especially fun!

Another year we served in Zamora over Christmas holudays and there were many events there as well.

Thank you very much. I will absolutely use The Winter Albergue site and Gronze was very helpful my last winter walk also. Maybe I can line up being in Burgos that would be awesome!

I am hoping to catch some of the holiday events, I think that would be awesome! I am a bit flexible on the start date as early as the 19th of Dec and maybe will look and see where I can end up for some of the holiday events

 

[J Willhaus]

Yes, with pandemic exceptions, I think most communities have some kind of 3 Kings festivities. Even in tiny Granon there was some kind of "arrival of the Kings" which included pilgrims and the hospitalero dressing up as the Kings.

In Zamora there was a Belen contest. (Sorry, but my phone does not do the accent marks.) Belen is the nativity scene and everyone was trying to outdo each other! We probably visited 20+ Belens during our time there at various churches, buildings, confraternities, etc.