Wintering in Southern Spain is a popular choice for many people who come from colder climates and own Costa del Sol property, providing some much-needed warmth and sunshine. However, if you haven’t yet experienced Christmas on the Coast and are planning to do so this year, you will be in for a treat.
Every town and village will be twinkly with fairy lights, many are already in situ ready to switch on. However, it is Málaga city that is renowned for becoming a magical place at Christmas time, with the festivities starting at the end of November and continuing through to the Three Kings in January.
To give you an idea of what to expect in Málaga and to help you plan your trip accordingly, here is the low down on the Christmas celebrations in Málaga this year. As you would expect, there will be lights, music, markets and much more (Some of the times and dates are yet to be confirmed).
Calle Marqués de Larios is the main shopping street in Málaga and each year it becomes the hotly anticipated focal point of the Christmas celebrations, festooned with Christmas lights. And on Calle Nueva (the main shopping street before Larios), there will be an ‘enchanted cave’. In total, around 80 streets and plazas will be awash with decorations and lights, including 5 enormous Christmas trees.
The displays seem to get more dazzling each year and are considered to be amongst the most spectacular in Europe. Last year, the street was adorned with enormous glittering angels, that wowed all visitors and will be back this year by popular demand. This year the decorations are estimated to comprise over 2 million LED lights.
This year (2024), Málaga’s Christmas lights will officially be switched on Friday, 29th November in the Plaza de la Constitution, and will remain lit until midnight Sunday to Wednesday and for the rest of the week they will remain on for an extra two hours.
In addition, there will be daily light and sound shows taking place at 18.30, 20.00 and 22.00 until January (except on Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve and on the Three Kings), including Christmas carol concerts and music played on violins, flutes and guitars. As Malaga is home to a large technology park it is only fitting that the city has embraced new technology, visual mapping to project 3D imagery on to historic buildings..
Another lovely family experience around Christmas time is a visit to the Botanical Gardens in Málaga for the “Illusion: Christmas has many faces but one heart” light displays. Also starting on the 29th November and running through to Three Kings (6th January), this will be the fifth year that the gardens have featured in the celebrations, creating an immersive journey, that highlights the natural beauty and monuments whilst creating a fairytale environment, with an elf cloud for children. Tickets can be purchased here.
It wouldn’t be Christmas without the appearance of incredible nativity scenes around Málaga and indeed every other town in the country. For example, if you are a regular visitor and already own Marbella property or are currently looking for property for sale in Marbella, you may have already seen the fantastic depictions of Jesus’ birth in Marbella’s Plaza de la Iglesia del la Encarnacion which are open to the public.
One of the most impressive nativity scenes in Málaga city is located at the Town Hall, which opens at 10.00. Other notable installations can be seen at Casa Diocesana, Plaza del Obispo and at the Museo de Málaga and Museo de Carman Thyssen.
There is a wide choice of Christmas markets in Málaga, including Merced market, Soho market, Muelle Uno and the English market, and many more in towns across the Costa del Sol. However, the largest and most popular flea market in Málaga can be found in the recently renovated port. Enjoy the hustle and bustle as you browse the many market stalls, where you can buy everything from clothes to home made products.
At Christmas time, part of the market will be transformed into a Christmas market offering festive treats and gifts. There is also a second Christmas market located just a few steps away in the Plaza de la Marina. Every year this traditional Christmas market takes up residence in one of Málaga’s most historic squares, where you can find everything from nativity costumes to jewelry and handmade gifts.
If you enjoy good quality local foods including cheese, charcuterie, olive oil, chocolate and much more, you can head down to the Sabor a Málaga 6-day Christmas fair. As well as the stalls, there will be food trucks, music and cooking demonstrations in the Eduardo Ocon auditorium. It will take place on Paseo del Parque between 11.00 and 14.00. (The opening dates have yet to be confirmed, so keep your eyes open!).
Shops in Spain are usually closed on Sundays, except where specific dispensation is granted such as Christmas time. This means that starting from Sunday, 8th December, large shops will be able to open on Sundays for the rest of the month, offering more opportunity to find the right gifts.
Although not strictly speaking related to Christmas, in many minds, the two public holidays at the beginning of December herald the arrival of the festive period. The 6th December (Constitution Day) and 8th December (Immaculate Conception) are both national holidays. This year (2024) the 8th December falls on a Sunday, therefore the holiday will be carried over to Monday 9th December instead.
Christmas Day falls on Wednesday, 25th December which is a public holiday, and then back to normal on the next day. The following Wednesday, 1st January 2025 is also a public holiday, and then there is another holiday on Monday 6th January, for Three Kings – the day Spanish children traditional receive their gifts.
Of course, this is just a small snapshot of what it is like to spend Christmas in Málaga in 2024, there are many more events, including concerts, ballet, carols, lightshows, exhibitions, markets and much more.
If you would like more information about the range of luxury property for sale on the Costa del Sol, whether you are looking for a holiday home in Marbella, an investment property in Fuengirola or contemporary apartments for sale in Benalmadena, contact Birgitte at birgitte@weberestates.com or call +34 683 391 512.
