Christmas starts at midnight on the 24 th. Unlike Scotland many businesses were still open at 8 or 9 pm. Not just food stores. Electrical shops were still open. The big mall was open.

El Nino should have been at the forefront of the tableau but he was getting his leg stuck back on!

I didn’t go on the bike but had my jacket on as its not that warm.
A countdown was done on the radio and then champagne was drunk, everybody hugged and greeted each other with feliz navidad. Then the Christmas meal of chicken and all the trimmings hot chocolate and panettone was eaten. After the meal a small ceremony praising the El Nino which is the baby Jesus and giving thanks for him and his care over the past year.  After that presents are handed out with more champagne etc.
Even though it is 2.30 am I was able to go out into the street and within a few minutes get a taxi back to my hotel. And this is out in the suberbs. Very few people own cars but the streets are full of taxis even at that time of the morning.
Daybreak brought more rain but it brightened up.

There are various different groups who dance around the main square. Each group has a manger with the baby Jesus at the front. The dancing is very energetic and takes about 15 minutes for each group to go round the square.
By afternoon the square is full of tourists and most of the shops and restaurants are open