Day of the Holy Innocents in Spain

By Marta Díaz on Tuesday, December 23, 2025

The Day of the Holy Innocents, also known as Día de los Inocentes, is celebrated in Spain on December 28. Although its origin is religious, today it is a day mainly associated with jokes, humor, and fake news intended to be funny. For you, as a student of Spanish, this day is very interesting because it combines history, culture, colloquial language, and popular traditions.

Many people compare Día de los Inocentes with April Fools' Day, which is celebrated on April 1 in English-speaking countries. However, Día de los Inocentes has its own characteristics and a very different history.

Origin of Día de los Inocentes

The origin of Día de los Inocentes is religious and dates to Christian tradition. According to the Gospel, King Herod ordered the killing of all children under the age of two in Bethlehem with the aim of eliminating the baby Jesus, as he had heard that a “king” had been born. These children are known as the Holy Innocents, as they were innocent and blameless.

For many centuries, December 28 was a day of remembrance and solemnity. However, over time, especially since the Middle Ages, this date began to be mixed with popular celebrations, humor, and mockery. Little by little, the day went from being exclusively religious to becoming a day of jokes and fun.

The Day of the Innocents today

In Spain, the Day of the Innocents is known above all as a day for jokes. On this day, it is customary to play pranks on family, friends, coworkers, or even the public through the media.

When someone falls for a joke, it is very common to say the phrase: “Inocente, inocente!” (You're innocent, innocent!)

This expression is used to point out that the person has believed something that was not true and, therefore, has fallen for the joke. It is a very typical phrase and is part of the cultural vocabulary of the day.

Jokes and popular traditions

One of the best-known traditions of April Fools' Day in Spain is to stick a paper doll on someone's back without them noticing. This doll is usually shaped like a person and is traditionally also called an “inocente” (innocent). When the victim discovers the joke, everyone laughs and repeats the famous expression: “Inocente!”

In addition to this classic tradition, there are many other forms of jokes, such as:

• Telling believable false stories
• Moving objects around
• Making phone calls with funny excuses
• Publishing made-up news stories

It is important to note that, culturally, jokes should be lighthearted and without malice. The goal is to laugh together, not to annoy or cause harm.

The role of the media

A very interesting feature of April Fools' Day in Spain is the participation of the media. Many newspapers, television programs, radio stations, and websites publish fake news stories that seem real on that day.

These news stories usually deal with celebrities, politics, sports, or science, even absurd changes in laws or customs.

At the end of the article or program, it is usually revealed that it is an April Fools' Day joke. For Spanish learners, this phenomenon is a good opportunity to practice reading comprehension and learn to identify humorous tone and irony.

Related vocabulary and expressions

April Fools' Day is a good opportunity to learn vocabulary and colloquial expressions in Spanish. Some important words and phrases are:

• Broma (Joke)
• Gastar una broma (Play a joke)
• Caer en la broma (Fall for the joke)
• Inocente (Innocent)
• Noticias falsas (Fake news)
• Tomar el pelo (Tease)

These expressions are used throughout the year, but they are especially common on December 28. Understanding this day will help you better integrate into Spanish culture and enjoy the local humor.

In addition, here are some tips for if you find yourself in Spain on December 28th, so you don't fall for too many pranks:

• Don't believe everything you read or hear that day
• If someone says something strange to you, it may be a joke
• Don't get angry if you are the victim of a light-hearted joke
• Avoid jokes that may offend or make people uncomfortable

Día de los Inocentes in Spain is a celebration that combines religious history, popular tradition, and modern humor. Today, it is celebrated as a fun day where jokes and laughter take center stage. Learning about Día de los Inocentes allows you to better understand the Spanish sense of humor and the importance of tradition in everyday life.