Living Nativity Scene

The Living Nativity Scene of Laguna de Duero, a Festival of Tourist Interest in Castilla y León, is one of the most important living nativity scenes in the province of Valladolid and with the greatest participation by its residents, who recreate the main scenes of the birth of Christ. The Aceña Cultural Association of Laguna de Duero was created in July 2004 to manage the preparation and execution of the Living Nativity Scene of the municipality. Since that same year, the Living Nativity Scene has been held in the El Cascajo Civic Center, a fenced space that allows for a higher quality of the sets and that the Laguna de Duero City Council exclusively gives to the Aceña Cultural Association so that two months before the first performance, they work on the installation of stages, stands and all the necessary infrastructure for the correct development of each of the performances.

In 2006, a new milestone was added to the celebration and the tradition began that the Three Wise Men's parade on January 5th concludes at the Living Nativity scene with "The Adoration of the Three Wise Men at the Nativity Scene."

The Living Nativity Scene in Laguna de Duero grows year after year in terms of sets, characters and excitement, thanks to the selfless efforts of all the participants. Their dedication guarantees that each Christmas performance is performed with the same quality and enthusiasm as previous editions. As a result, the event attracts an increasing number of visitors from different parts of the country. At one end of the stage is Herod's Castle, a luxurious, spacious and richly decorated space. At the other end of the town are the inn, a mill and a stable that will play a special role in this story. On the outskirts are the stables and the huts of the shepherds, who are in charge of caring for the cattle. The central part of the town is occupied by the market and the artisans, always full of activity. All this makes it necessary to install stands to accommodate the hundreds of visitors who attend each performance.

The Aceña Cultural Association has extended the participation of the Living Nativity Scene to other times of the year in Laguna de Duero, such as Holy Week, where its characters are the protagonists of the "La Borriquilla" Procession on Palm Sunday, in which the actors come out dressed in the clothes of the Nativity Scene and walk through the streets of the town, accompanied by a multitude of neighbours throughout the route; or the Artelago Handicraft Fair, where the tradition, the historical heritage left to us by their ancestors from Laguna and the exaltation of the town's orchard, so present in the decoration of the Living Nativity Scene, are valued. Aceña is responsible for giving the traditional touch with its outfits and decoration that is also part of the decoration of the Living Nativity Scene.

During the Christmas holidays, between 4 and 6 performances are held, always on the 25th and 6th of January, both at night, taking advantage of the magic produced by the night with the glow of torches, bonfires and candles.