Malaga is a great city to visit all year round – and Christmas is no exception. Think spectacular Christmas lights, vivid red poinsettias, and festive markets chock-full of great gifts. Here are a few atmospheric attractions and events that the LVC team will be enjoying in the city over the festive period, from long-held traditions such as nativity scenes to video mapping. This year, most seasonal attractions start on 29 November.
Bear in mind that in Spain, the Christmas season lasts until Dia de los Reyes Magos (Three Kings’ Day), on 6 January – so you have even more time to celebrate with friends and family!
BE DAZZLED BY THE CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
Every year at Christmas time (until 6 January), the entire length of Calle Larios is turned into a super-sparkly “cathedral of lights”. Malaga’s Christmas illuminations – the switch-on date for these, and other lights, is Friday 29 November for this year – are the best in Spain.
With a musical light show at 18.30, 20.00 and 22.00 every day (apart from 24 and 31 December), they make for a great evening experience. The lights are on from 18.30 to midnight (to 02.00 Friday to Sunday, 24 and 31 December, and 5 January). This year’s design is still to be confirmed; 2022 and 2023 had 16 angels along Calle Larios.
This year also sees the return of “Angel of Light” video mapping (3-D animated images) on the Cathedral’s southern tower at 18.45, 20.00 and at 22.00 from 1 December to 4 January (except on 24 and 31 December).
The Alameda will again be transformed into a forest of lights, and there will also be a drone show around the port.
The lights are switched off, signalling the end of the Christmas season, at midnight on 6 January.
There’s also a spectacular display in La Concepcion Botanical Gardens just outside the city, with the theme for 2024 “Illusion”. Divided into seven sections, the gardens are strung with magnificent light displays and its monuments are illuminated to be explored at your leisure. These lights can be enjoyed from 29 November to 6 January, every day except 24 and 31 December, with entry every half hour between 18.30 and 21.30.
A new attraction for Christmas in Malaga is the Lantern Festival. This is inspired by Chinese lanterns for the traditional Chinese New Year celebrations, which for 2025 herald the Year of the Snake. This festival also starts on 29 November, carrying on till 12 February 2025, and will feature more than 600 large handmade pieces. It takes place in the Parque del Oeste.
Shop ’til You Drop- Christmas Markets
Malaga is a great place to do some Christmas shopping. The high street is almost taken over by Spanish brands throughout Europe so it’s good to visit Desigual, Mango, Zara, Maximo Dutti, Bimba y Lola and Cortefiel on their home turf. Malaga city centre is small enough to wander round on foot. The main shopping streets branch off Plaza de la Constitución with most international brands represented.
There are also a number of Christmas markets held at different locations throughout December, the biggest being El Zoco Maravilla on Muelle Uno every Sunday, where you’ll find stalls offering local produce, crafts (ceramics make ideal presents, as do esparto grass goods like baskets) and clothing.
Paseo del Parque Christmas market has an astonishing array of items, from nativity figures and festive decorations, to books, handicrafts, and even organic toiletries. Dates to be confirmed, but probably 29 November to 6 January.
Don’t miss the hugely popular Gran Feria Sabor A Malaga market (dates for 2024 to be confirmed) with gastronomic delights from Malaga province, such as cheese, cured meat, wine, olive oil, chocolate and honey.
This market takes place over six days during the first or second week of December, on Paseo del Parque. This food fair will also features showcooking, discussions and talks by leading chefs.
At the English Cemetery’s Charles Dickens-themed event, you can find a Victorian market, dramatised tours, carol-singing and stalls serving hot chocolate and mulled wine.
Book a Festive Theatre Show
There’s nothing like a festive trip to the theatre to get you and the family into the Christmas spirit. This festive season at Cervantes Theatre in Malaga you can see perennial favourite the Nutcracker, whose wooden soldier is such a popular image at the festive season (6 January at 19.30, tickets available here) or Swan Lake (10 December at 20.00, tickets available here).
Take in the Views at El Corte Ingles
Every Christmas, the central branch of the department store, El Corte Ingles, has a winter wonderland with ice skating, snow slides, carousels and fun festive activities to do with children.
The store itself is decked out in full festive style and great for a browse in the warm. If you fancy a bite to eat or a drink, head up to the top floor to the Gourmet Experience where there are gorgeous views of the twinkling lights of the city from the rooftop terrace.
Experience an Authentic Zambombá
The zambombá is a typical southern Spanish Christmas tradition. Direct translation of this word is actually a specific percussion instrument (see above) but a zambombá is also a sort of Andalucian equivalent to Christmas carols with flamenco at its roots.
Traditionally anis is drunk, and mantecados or polvorones (soft, crumbly lard biscuits) are passed around. Not to be missed during a break in Malaga over Christmas. On 14, 15 and 21 December there are zambomba concerts at Teatro Echegary.
VISIT A BELÉN (NATIVITY SCENE)
Malaga has more than 70 belénes (nativity scenes) – as well as featuring the Holy Family, Three Wise Men, and assorted shepherds with sheep and donkeys, these often include various other biblical scenes, in addition to micro-sized, highly detailed models of palm trees, houses, food stalls complete with baked goods, fruit, meat and fish, vegetable plots, workshops, exotic animals, and even water features.
You can see these nativity scenes in churches, public buildings, shops, offices, and homes, with new figures being added every year. The three we like best are Malaga Cathedral’s – a huge 40m2 nativity scene which is on display from 30 November to 9 January; The Glass Museum (Museovidrioycristalmalaga.com) where they have an entire nativity scene made from Lladro porcelain figures, running from 8 December to 2 February; and the Belen Municipal, at the Ayuntamiento (City Hall).
The latter features an extensive display of more than 400 figures in the central patio. This also features model mountains to reflect the area’s topography. Some of the pieces are more than 100 years old. Look out for the man selling espetos, a local Malaga speciality of sardines barbequed on a stick, and another selling biznagas of jasmine..
Other belénes worth noting are the Diputación de Malaga, the Neapolitan one at the Carmen Thyssen Museum, and the Andalucian figures at the Cofradia de Estudiantes.
Pay a Visit to Father Christmas
The big man himself, Papa Noel (Father Christmas) is ready for visitors in his Casita de Navidad at Muelle Uno (near the Pompidou Centre) from 12.00 to 14.00 and 17.00 to 20.00 from 25 November to 5 January (closed 25 December and 1 January). There’s also a snow machine and a Christmas market.
Try a Roscón de Reyes
Bakeries and supermarkets are full of Roscón de Reyes, a special ring cake filled with cream (we recommend the nata option) and topped with candied fruit, which is traditionally eaten on 6 January, Día de los Reyes Magos (Three Kings’ Day) when presents are opened. As you eat it with your family, you will find a tiny king figurine inside, in which case you can wear the paper crown that comes with the cake, and a dried bean.
Also look out for roscos de vino, delicious wine-flavoured sugar ring donuts. Other traditional sweets and pastries to try include turron (nougat), polvorones and mantecados, and Malaga speciality borrachuelos (deep-fried pastries filled with sweet potato or almond paste).
Spend an Afternoon on the Beach
Malaga has one of the best year-round climates in Europe, with an average of five hours of sunshine every day during December, and daytime temperatures reaching the upper teens – so why not head to the beach?.
With clear blue skies and sun on your face, or at least warm weather, the city beaches are great for eating a meal, running around with the kids, strolling or cycling along the promenades, or simply kicking back and chilling out.
VISIT THE GIBRALFARO CASTLE AND ALCAZABA AT NIGHT
Perched high above the city looking out to sea, Malaga’s two castles, Gibralfaro and the Alcazaba, are interesting and historic places to visit any time of the year. However, they offer evening tours, and at Christmas, looking down on the city with its streets, squares and trees illuminated, it’s a magical festive spectacle.
Have a Warming Tipple
Visit the longest-running bar in Malaga, Antigua Casa de Guardia, on the corner of Alameda Principal. Have a glass of sweet local Malaga wine, a fortified wine made with Pedro Ximenez or Moscatel grapes – ideal as the nip of the evening sets in and a bottle makes the perfect foodie gift for friends back home. (And remember that wine-tasting makes a great day out!)
Catch Some Verdiales
An annual competition of Verdiales, traditional flamenco-style folk dance and music originating in the town of Almogia, takes place on 28 December just outside Malaga. The dancers wear outfits adorned with colourful decorations – men wear beribboned hats decked with flowers, women wear intricate dresses – and the atmosphere is always upbeat. Address: Recinto Ferial del Puerto de la Torre, Calle Pirita, 29190.
CHUCKLE YOUR WAY THROUGH ‘DAY OF THE HOLY INNOCENTS’
The 28 December is all about tricks and jokes in Spain. So play a prank on someone for the Spanish equivalent of April Fools’ Day.
Make a Date with the Three Kings
On the evening of 5 January – at 17.00, to be precise – there’s a huge cabalgata (parade) around the historic centre of the city with music and dancers, whose protagonists are The Reyes Magos or Three Kings. Melchior, Balthazar and Gaspar (from whom children traditionally receive their Christmas presents), each sit atop their own beautifully decorated float with their helpers, throw tonnes of sweets and small gifts into the crowds for children to collect.
Take a Tapas Tour
One of the best ways to see a city and learn more about its culture is through its food (and wine) on a tapas tour. Toma & Coe offers an excellent tapas tour (Tomaandcoe.com) that explores the best places to eat and drink over the course of a hugely fun night out.
Coming to Malaga this festive season and looking for a great place to enjoy a Christmas meal or to celebrate New Year’s Eve? Check out our pick of the best.
Ben Cooper
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