El Tió de Nadal

The Catalan Department celebrated the traditional Christmas custom of El Tió with our Junior School students, sharing an important part of local culture in a fun and engaging way.

The Tió de Nadal is a small wooden log with a painted face, a red hat (barretina), and a blanket to keep it warm. In the days before Christmas, children “feed” the Tió, and on Christmas Eve they sing traditional songs and gently tap it with sticks so it poops presents and sweets. The Tió is a fun and playful tradition that celebrates generosity, family, and Catalan culture.

The children learned about the history and meaning of El Tió and took part in the lively celebration, enjoying songs, laughter, and surprises.