There’s no better place to enjoy the Christmas season than in the sunshine! This rings true for many across Europe who endure lousy weather this time of year. So, with that said, you can always come to sunny Spain, more particularly the Costa del Sol. Have a read, and find out about all the things to enjoy during Christmas on the Costa del Sol!
It’s that time of year again, and as we prepare to close the door on another year, it’s time to enjoy the holiday season while it lasts. Many expats in Marbella don’t take for granted with regards to where they live. Afterall, they get over 300 days of sunshine and gold sandy beaches all year long. If you live outside of Spain, you’re likely enduring some pretty miserable weather at the moment, but thankfully the Costa del Sol and Malaga airport are always open for business.
Here’s a well put together list of where to visit during Christmas on the Costa del Sol.
Malaga
Malaga is becoming increasingly popular, but especially over the past few years. For far too long, many only took this beautiful port side city as the gateway or airport, to get to other destinations across the coast. One event however; which is famous across the globe is the Christmas light show.
The Christmas lights in Malaga are switched on the 29th of November and it’s an event that must be seen in person to truly appreciate the spectacle. This takes place most notable on the street Calle Larios and is where you will see the best show of lights and holiday music. For 2019, the Malaga Christmas lights has a theme, and its name is 'The Christmas Forest', translated 'Bosque de Navidad'. This special event doesn’t end on the night, in fact the best part of it all is you can visit all week both day and night.
During past light shows in Malaga city, they’ve been known to use up to 600,000 led lights on Larios street, which also happens to be the most centric street in all of Malaga. There is also more to enjoy during the holiday season in Malaga as well. Besides the light show, you can take a trip around Malaga to enjoy more than 20 Nativity scenes, with the one in the town hall being the most popular. At this nativity scene, the town hall uses more than 300 figurines!
From the 26th of December to the 4th of January families can head to Malaga’s conference centre for a very special event including more than 60 fun activities for kids from 2 and 12 years old. Activities include rides, ice skating, mini golf, rock climbing, sip line, arts and crafts, bouncy castles, story time, theatre and much, much more. Kids between 4 and 12 years old pay 8€ for the day, adults pay 4€ and under 3s are free. Buy your tickets online for discounts.
Christmas in San Pedro
You will find the festive lights sparkling in San Pedro as well, with a beautiful display set up that the entire family can enjoy. San Pedro is known for being traditionally Spanish and quaint, but we think there is so much more to this little city by the beach. It’s atmosphere alone and friendly disposition makes it a welcoming hot spot for tourists and a great place to live for residents and expats.
During Christmas in San Pedro you can see the giant bauble attraction on Calle Marqués del Duero. The bauble measures 12 metres in diameter and has 70,000 light bulbs. Here too there will be a sound and light show every day at 6.30pm and 8.30pm.
In San Pedro, this year the Christmas decorations will include eight Nativity scenes (opened on Friday 1 December). four Christmas trees, and lights saying 'Feliz Navidad' and 'Feliz Año Nuevo'. The port side city of San Pedro is hoping its display of lights and music will attract people to the town and boost local businesses.
Marbella Centre
The city of Marbella is beautiful over the holidays, with the best lights and activities around the popular Old Town. Marbella has lots going on around Christmas, but make sure to tour the nativity scenes, or sit in one of the beautiful squares for a drink to just enjoy the amazing atmosphere.
You will find lots of lovely free events around Marbella, and Nueva Andalucia such as a Children’s Christmas afternoon in Marbella’s Old Town, with workshops, a living nativity scene on the Paseo de la Alameda and there’s many more events.
There are lots of chances to enjoy festive music such as a Christmas carol contest on December 15th in the Plaza de Iglesia in the Old Town.
Christmas in Estepona
Estepona is typically Spanish and enjoyed each year during the holiday season. Here, you will find the typically Spanish white washed buildings, pretty plazas and pedestrianised streets. All of which, make for a very special Christmas atmosphere that you will love.
In Estepona at Christmas time you are treated to an ice rink and Christmas fun fair. You’ll also find a lovely Christmas village on Avenida Juan Carlos 1 between 11 am and 10pm every day until the 7th of January, which is perfect for families to get into the festive mood.
Enjoy music at one of the concerts and performances taking place over the Christmas period in Estepona. There is a big Christmas Concert on the 16th of December at the Auditoria Felipe VI at 8pm, a concert by the local schools on the 19th at the Palacio de Congresos, a performance at the Santa Maria church on the 20th and many more throughout the Christmas period.
Other Enjoyable Christmas flavours on the Costa del Sol
As you can well imagine, there is a special taste to Christmas on the Costa del Sol and Spain in general. Like mantecados (butter cookies), pestiños (olive oil pastries), Ronda yolks, polvorones (almond cookies) from Antequera.
You will find other culinary delights are present in all Christmas and New Year’s Eve dinners. Hotels, restaurants and nightclubs on the Costa del Sol through New Year’s parties that go on until the early morning hours.
The Three Kings on the Costa del Sol
Three Kings, or Dia de los Reyes in Spanish, falls on January 6 every year. It's the day that most children in Spain and other Spanish-speaking countries receive their Christmas presents. Just like other children from around the world eagerly await Santa Claus on Christmas Eve.
In Spain ‘Los Reyes Magos’ - Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar - play a similar role to Santa Claus. Spanish children write letters to the Three Kings, or Three Wise Men, who then bring the children gifts the night before, or on the morning of the Epiphany, January 6th.
In some Spanish houses, children will leave their shoes outside the door so that the Three Kings will fill them with gifts, often leaving bigger presents alongside.
Just as children in many other places leave out some food and drink for Santa, Spanish children make sure to leave a drink for each of the Three Kings and some food and drink for their camels.
Huge Three Kings parades or ‘cabalgatas’ are held around Spain on January 5th. They are huge spectacles featuring hundreds of actors and are broadcast live on Spanish television.
On 5 January, the Three Wise Men land on the Costa del Sol, where they parade down the streets handing out sweets and hope. Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar meet children in most villages in Málaga Province before leaving their gifts in their homes.