Christmas starts this weekend in Malaga with the switching on of the Christmas lights. Discover many parallel activities and Christmas markets in Malaga and the coastal towns of the Costa del Sol.
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Activities and Christmas markets in Malaga
Christmas Market at Paseo del Parque
One of the “classic” Christmas markets in Malaga. There are more than 90 Christmas stalls with figures for the nativity scene, Christmas decorations, gifts, books, nougat and traditional sweets among others.
- When: 1 December to 6 January, from 11 am to 10 pm.
- How to get there
Christmas at Pier One
Pier One (Muelle Uno) opens its Christmas Village on 24 November with many activities for all the family during December and until 6 January.
On 24 November Santa Claus will also arrive by boat at 7:30 pm followed by a Christmas show.
And this year there will be a Christmas market in the Palmeral de las Sorpresas.
An ideal alternative to enjoy a stroll in one of the most beautiful areas of Malaga, just a few metres from the historic centre.
Sabor a Málaga Gastronomic Fair
Although it is not a Christmas market as such, we nevertheless include this great gastronomic event that takes place every year during the December long weekend.
In the central Paseo del Parque in Malaga there will be a hundred stalls of local producers.
Enjoy tasting and buying the best breads, sausages, wines, potatoes, honeys, olive oils, chocolates, Christmas pastries, cheeses and jams, among many others.
- The Sabor a Málaga Fair takes place every year during the December long weekend, which this year will be from the 6th to the 10th of December.
- How to get there
Christmas activities in Malaga
Ice Rink at El Corte Inglés
Next to the Corte Inglés in Avenida de Andalucía will be set up an ice rink. It will be open until the 6th of January from 10 am to 10 pm. In the surrounding area there will also be more activities for children such as Carousel, Snow city, Christmas Train, Sledge/ toboggan, Adventure circuit and a children’s Ferris wheel.
Nativity Scene at the Town hall
The municipal Nativity Scene is on display in the Town Hall courtyard from 2 December to 6 January. Visiting hours: From 10 am to 2 pm and from 5 pm to 9 pm.
Nativity scene in Malaga Cathedral
You can also visit the Nativity Scene in Malaga Cathedral from 4th December to 7th January. Opening hours: From 10 am to 2 pm and from 5 pm to 8 pm. On 24 and 31 December it will be closed and on 5 January it will be closed in the afternoon.
Christmas concerts
There will be pastorals in different streets of the historic centre from 14 to 22 December from 6 pm to 8 pm.
Christmas concerts at Plaza de la Constitución from 13 to 23 December. The concerts take place at 6:45 pm and 8:15 pm respectively.
Cavalcade of the Three Wise Men
On 5th January, the Three Wise Men depart from the Town Hall at 6 pm, travelling through the central streets of Malaga.
Itinerary: Town hall, Avda. de Cervantes, Plaza General Torrijos, Paseo del Parque, Plaza de la Marina, Alameda Principal, Puente de Tetuán, Calle Nazareno del Paso, Calle Hilera, Puente de la Esperanza, Calle Prim, Calle Atarazanas, Calle Puerta del Mar, Alameda Principal, Plaza de la Marina, Cortina del Muelle.
A Christmas carol in the English Cemetery of Malaga
The historic Protestant cemetery of Malaga has also prepared activities during the Christmas season based on Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.
From 1 December to 4 January, you can enjoy this wonderful 19th century garden of the English Cemetery with spectacular illumination.
Come for hot chocolate and mulled wine, listen to carols from the period, meet the miserly Mr Scrooge and the ghosts of Christmas. Or buy a present at the Christmas market.
- Closed on 15, 24, 25 and 31 December and 1 January. Admission 5€.
- How to get there
Cancer charity market
This market takes place in the central Alcazabilla street on Saturday 10 December from 11 am to 9 pm.
Christmas activities at Plaza Mayor
A series of activities for the whole family will take place in the large open-air shopping centre Plaza Mayor during December.
Santa Claus and his elves will be in the central square on four weekends from 1 to 24 December. Opening times: Fridays from 5.30 pm to 8 pm; Saturdays from 12 pm to 2 pm and 5.30 pm to 9 pm; and Sundays from 12 pm to 2 pm and 5.30 pm to 8 pm (on 24 December only until 2pm).
On weekends between 7 and 23 December there will be various children’s activities such as face painting, Elvish flashmobs. Opening times: Fridays from 6 pm to 8 pm; Saturdays from 12 pm to 1.30 pm and 6 pm to 8.30 pm; and Sundays from 12 pm to 2 pm and 6 pm to 8 pm.
Activities and Christmas Markets in the province of Malaga
Christmas market in Benalmádena
The Christmas Market in Benalmádena will take place with wooden stalls at Avenida Constitución in front of the cultural centre of Arroyo de la Miel, from the 1st of December to the 6th of January 2024.
In this video you can get an idea of the atmosphere that awaits you in Benalmádena.
International Christmas Festival Benalmádena
Discover how they celebrate Christmas in more than 15 countries without leaving Benalmádena in the Plaza Adolfo Suarez.
- When: 1 to 3 December from 12 am to 12 pm.
- How to get there
Christmas Activities in Benalmádena
8 December
Great Circus in Puerto Marina
9 December
Santa Claus Party in Arroyo de la Miel, Plaza de Adolfo Suarez Time: From 9:30 am to 10 am Santa Claus Parade and from 10 am to 2 pm Christmas Village.
On this day there will also be a Santa Claus parade from 12 pm to 1:30 pm. Route: Plaza Austria, Av. Constitución, Parque Idaira, Plaza de la Mezquita, Centro Comercial San Juan, Plaza de España, C/ Felix Solecio, Avda. Andalucía, C/ Blas Infante and Plaza de la Iglesia.
Great snowfall and playful workshops in Plaza de Austria from 5 pm to 8 pm. Followed by a Christmas fire at Plaza de la Iglesia at 8:30 pm with Christmas snacks at popular prices.
10 December
Santa Claus Party in Benalmádena Pueblo, Plaza Del Alguacil. Timetable: From 9:30 am to 10 am Santa Claus parade and from 10 am to 2 pm Christmas Village.
Living nativity scene in Los Limones gardens at 4 pm.
Christmas music performance in Plaza Olé in Benalmádena Costa at 7 pm.
16 December
Elves Village Party in Adolfo Suarez Square. Timetable: From 9:30 am to 10 am Santa Claus parade and from 10 am to 2 pm Christmas Village.
Superheroes parade from 5 pm to 6 pm. Route: Plaza Austria, Av. Constitución, Parque Idaira, Plaza de la Mezquita, Centro Comercial San Juan, Plaza de España, C/ Felix Solecio, Avda. Andalucía, C/ Blas Infante and Plaza de la Iglesia.
17 December
Christmas Videomapping in the Social Affairs Building – Plaza Adolfo Suarez at 6:30 pm and 8 pm.
23 December
Santa Claus House, Christmas workshops and snowfall on Austria Square from 12 pm to 2 pm and from 5 pm to 8 pm.
Christmas parade from 6:30 pm to 7:30 pm. Route: Plaza Austria, Av. Constitución, Parque Idaira, Plaza de la Mezquita, Centro Comercial San Juan, Plaza de España, C/ Felix Solecio, Avda. Andalucía, C/ Blas Infante and Plaza de la Iglesia.
New Year’s Eve Party
31 December: New Year’s Eve Party at Plaza de la Mezquita-Arroyo de la Miel from 11:30 pm onwards with live music.
Christmas market in Fuengirola
The Fuengirola Christmas Market will be held from 24 November to 17 December 2023 at Plaza de la Constitución.
It is worth noting that this town has one of the most beautiful Christmas illuminations on the Costa del Sol, especially this square and the surrounding streets.
We can recommend an afternoon stroll in the town centre at this time of year, you’ll love it!
Charity bazaar in Marbella
The Caritas Christmas Bazaar is one of the most important charity events held in Marbella. This year it takes place from the 30th of November to the 3rd of December in the Palacio de Congresos.
There will be numerous stalls with Christmas items, jewellery, clothes, accessories, decoration, etc., as well as several restaurants, raffles and entertainment area.
- When: from 30 November to 3 December, from 11 am to 10 pm.
- Where: Palacio de Congresos, Marbella
- How to get there
Christmas Market in Marbella
The Christmas market will take place on the terraces of the Marina of Marbella from the 21st of December until the 5th of January.
- When: From 21 December until 5 January, from 11:30 am to 9 pm.
- Where: Puerto Deportivo Marbella
- How to get there
Christmas market at Hotel Kempinski Estepona
On Saturday 2 December the traditional Christmas market and Christmas tree lighting will take place at the Kempinski Hotel from 1 pm until 8 pm.
This year, the Christmas Market is expanding and adding new and fun things for the whole family: Stalls with gastronomic delicacies, such as local honey, sweets, handmade chocolates, roasted coffee and of course wines and olive oils to handicrafts, beautiful jewellery and Christmas gifts.
This year will also see an increased children’s area, with more stalls, biscuit decorating, sand art and a bouncy castle, from a visit from Father Christmas.
- When: 2 December, from 1 pm to 8 pm
- Where: Hotel Kempinski Estepona
- How to get there
Christmas Programme Estepona
1 December, 7 pm Switch on of the Christmas lights.
2 December, 11 am to 5 pm Christmas Fair organised by The Anglican Church, American Club of Estepona ACE. C/ San Roque, 69
6 December, at 12 noon St. Nicholas arrives at the Fishing Port
From 11 to 29 December Charity Christmas Market at the Casa hermandad, Calle Veracruz
13 December at 5 pm Sweet Christmas Encounter with Sabor a Málaga and Pastorals in Plaza Antonia Guerrero.
In addition, during this month a large number of concerts and performances take place in Estepona which you can find in our December Calendar of Events.
Cheese Fair Popi Estepona
The annual gastronomic event at this time of year is almost a tradition in Estepona.
From 14th to 17th December a new edition takes place for lovers of local gastronomy, with stands with cheeses, nuts, wines, oil and pâté.
- When: from 14 to 17 December, from 11 am to 9 pm.
- Where: Calle Terraza Estepona
- How to get there
Christmas activities in Torremolinos
- The lighting of the Christmas lights in Torremolinos this year takes place on the 1st of December with musical performances at Plaza Costa del Sol. Prior to this there will be an inaugural parade from Plaza San Miguel to Plaza Costa del Sol and a performance by the Torremolinos Dance Centre.
- On the same day there will also be a zambombá in Avenida Palma de Mallorca, the inauguration of the Christmas Village and the craft market in the Plaza de la Nogalera.
- The Park Parque de la Batería will host a Christmas concert ‘The Nutcracker’ on 9 December.
- On 16th December there will be a Living Nativity Scene in the Molino de Inca Botanical Garden from 11 am to 2 pm. And in the Plaza Federico García Lorca at 12 noon there will be the annual Toy Run in charge of Komando Amimoto.
- As a great novelty this year, Christmas Park will be installed at the Fairgrounds from December 22nd to January 7th.
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- On the 24th of December in the Plaza Costa del Sol there will be a Flash Mob in charge of the classical dance academy of Carmen Crespo. In the evening there will be a zambombá in the Plaza San Miguel.
- How to get to Plaza Costa del Sol
Christmas Market Puerto Banús
The Puerto Banús Christmas Market will take place at Plaza Antonio Banderas from the 1st of December to the 6th of January.
There will be children’s musical performances, a Christmas village, children’s workshops and more surprises.
Christmas Activities in Marbella
Christmas in Marbella starts on the 1st of December at 7.30 pm, with a parade that will leave from the Santo Cristo square and will include a flashmob. At 8.30 pm the lighting of the lights will take place on Avenida Ramón y Cajal followed by a flamenco show.
From 27 December to 4 January there is a Magic Christmas Park in the Antonio Serrano Lima sports complex.
On the 5th of January, at 6 pm the Three Wise Men will travel through the main streets of the city in the traditional parade.
Christmas Activities in Torrox
Christmas Market of Torrox
The Torrox Christmas Market (the Malaga municipality with the most German residents) is one of the most similar to its Nordic models. It is the largest Christmas market on the Costa del Sol with about eighty stalls offering Christmas decorations and handicrafts.
- When: 5 to 10 December, from 10 am to 10 pm.
- How to get there
Migas Day
Another event to highlight in Torrox is its popular gastronomic event, the Dia de las Migas on the 17th of December. It is one of the most popular fiestas in the province of Malaga and attracts thousands of people every year. There will also be local wine to accompany the dish, as well as ensalada arriera (with oranges, tomatoes, potatoes, onions and olives).
The Migas festival will start at 11 am at Plaza de la Constitución with a concert. At 1 pm, the party moves to the Almazara plain (car park at the top of Torrox village) where, from 2 pm, the migas will be distributed. And at 4 pm, at Plaza de la Constitución, a concert will start which will last until the evening.
Wednesday 20th December there will be a parade of the Las Nieves choir through the historic centre of Torrox.
Thursday 28th the first big Christmas party will take place with a living nativity scene in the Plaza de la Constitución, with a real postman and a Christmas photocall among other activities.
Saturday 30 December with a concert by the cultural association Vive la Música in the Plaza de San Roque.
The parade of the Three Wise Men will be on Friday 5th January, starting at the promenade of El Morche and ending at the Plaza de la Constitución in Torrox.
Christmas Activities in Nerja
The switching on of the Christmas lights in Nerja will take place on the 9th of December at 7:30 pm at the Balcón de Europa.
On the 22nd the Christmas Market and Park will open in the Plaza de España with snowfall included. On Saturday 23rd December the Father Christmas Parade will take place.
Sunday 31st December at the Balcón de Europa, from 11:30 pm, the big New Year’s Eve party will start and on 5th January the traditional Three Wise Men Parade will take place.
More events in Malaga in December
Malaga during the month of December is full of beautiful activities and above all, lots of music!
- Find more activities and events in our Events Calendar Malaga December 2023!
Christmas lights Calle Larios
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- Everything you need to know about the Christmas lights in Malaga!
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