Christmas in Malaga — give yourself an unforgettable holiday!
Malaga in Christmas is one of Spain’s top tourist draws! This charming old town with a mild and warm climate is world famous for its Christmas illuminations. But apart from that, plenty of activities will give you vivid impressions and the joy of immersing yourself in the festive traditions of the city. We have selected the most beautiful and unusual festive locations in Malaga for you at Christmas.
Christmas Lights in Malaga, Spain
The Christmas lights in Malaga are the most fabulous sight of the festive season! It is what attracts endless streams of tourists here. Christmas illuminations cover hundreds of streets and squares in the city, so Spain Voyages has prepared a list of the most beautiful ones for you.
Christmas lights in Malaga on Calle Larios
When the Christmas lights are switched on in Malaga’s Calle Larios, the heart sinks at the incredible beauty. Since the end of November, Malaga’s main shopping street has been decorated with complex compositions made up of hundreds of thousands of bulbs. Each year a new theme is chosen. In 2024 it is ‘Heavenly Angels’ — 16 arches 4 metres high in the form of winged heavenly messengers. They are supported by 32 side columns. The colour scheme of the lights is blue, white, and gold.
From 29 November to 4 January, except for 24 and 31 December, three times a day (at 6:30, 8:00, and 10:00 p.m.) there is an incredible light and sound show when the glow of lights is synchronised with the sound of famous Christmas compositions. and on 23, 25, 26, 27, and 28 December, the light show is accompanied by melodies in the ancient flamenco style — Verdiales, which originated in the province of Malaga.
Illumination on Calle San Juan
In 2024, Calle San Juan has three new dazzlingly glittering areas. Salón Chandelier is as if decorated with baroque chandeliers and creates a stunning romantic atmosphere. The second zone is called Cielo thai and is a space illuminated by handmade Thai lanterns. and the light decor of the third zone, La Cueva magica, is reminiscent of stalactites in a magical cave.
Christmas lights on the Paseo del Parque
This year, for the first time, the trees on the Paseo del Parque were illuminated with festive lights. There are also seven illuminated arches along the boulevard. It’s a great place for an evening stroll. Be sure to put it on your list of Christmas activities in Malaga.
Illuminations on Alameda Principal
The Alameda Principal has been transformed into a magical forest, just like last year, with 270,000 lights burning in the crowns of its trees. In addition, there are five luminous installations, against which you can take fantastic photos for Instagram or just as a souvenir.
Christmas lighting on the streets of Malaga runs from 29 November to 6 January. On Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Sundays the illuminations are on from 6:30 p.m. until midnight. On Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays and the eve of holidays — from 6:30 p.m. to 2:00 a.m. and on 24 and 31 December — 6:30 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
Christmas trees in Malaga
The main Christmas tree in Malaga is traditionally placed on the Plaza de la Constitución in the historic centre of the city. It reaches a height of 20 metres and shines with thousands of lights. Instagram photos of it are fantastic. and you can even go inside the fir tree! In addition, this square often hosts free Christmas concerts in Malaga.
Don’t miss the beautiful Christmas trees at Plaza de la Marina, as well as at Plaza del Obispo in front of the main entrance to the Malaga Cathedral.
Christmas lights in the botanical garden of Malaga
A list of Christmas events in Malaga would not be complete without the beautiful Ilusión light show at the Botanical-Historical Garden of La Concepción. This year it runs from 29 November to 6 January and its theme is ‘Christmas has many faces but one heart’. Attending this light show is a great opportunity to escape the confines of everyday life and be transported into a world of magic and wonder.
Tickets for the Malaga Botanical Garden Christmas Lights are available on the official website of the event. Children under 12 years old receive a candyfloss Elf Cloud as a gift, while toddlers under 3 years old enjoy free admission.
Lantern Festival at Parque del Oeste
In 2024, for the first time, residents and visitors to Malaga will be able to attend the fantastically beautiful Lantern Festival, which is inspired by the ancient traditions of Chinese New Year celebrations. It takes place at the Parque del Oeste from 29 November 2024 to 15 February 2025. If you buy a ticket on the festival’s official website, you can see 600 luminous sculptures in the form of plants, animals, and mythical characters. The event programme also includes Chinese lantern-making workshops, calligraphy lessons, dance, theatre, and music performances.
The entrance to the festival site is from Francisco de Cossio Street. Children under the age of three can attend the event free of charge.
Christmas creches in Malaga
An important part of Christmas celebrations in Malaga is visiting the creches, of which there are over 70! For this reason, the Malaga City Council has even prepared an interactive map for tourists, showing the most beautiful and popular creches. We suggest you see at least three of them:
- The Belén Municipal or the Belén del Ayuntamiento de Málaga is located in the courtyard of the Town Hall. It uses more than 500 figures and has a display area of 150 m². The creche can be visited free of charge from 4 December to 6 January from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. through the main entrance of the Town Hall.
- The Belén de la Diputación de Málaga is located in the Carretera de Cadiz neighbourhood at C/ Pacífico 54. This monumental nativity scene by the famous Diego Alonso is considered the best in Malaga. It covers an area of 250 m² and consists of 1,850 figures. It can be visited free of charge from 28 November to 5 January from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., except for the weekends of 25 December and 1 January. And on 24 and 31 December it is open on a reduced schedule, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
- Belén de la Catedral, which is created by the members of La Alcazaba, the Association of Malaga’s creches. Its scenes convey the traditional spirit of Christmas, based on the Gospel. The creche has a surface area of 62 m². It is free to visit from 20 November to 6 January, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The entrance to the church is from Plaza del Obispo.
Christmas fairs and markets
Your festive season in Malaga simply can only go with a visit to the Christmas fairs. One of the oldest is held year after year on the Paseo del Parque. There are around 100 Christmas stalls selling creche figures, Christmas tree decorations, garlands, handicrafts, and traditional sweets. The fair is open from 1 December to 6 January from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Malaga’s Christmas Market at Muelle Uno is located in the touristy part of Malaga’s port, next to the famous Palmeral de las Sorpresas promenade. The European Best Destinations organisation has listed it as one of the top five sunniest Christmas markets in Europe. It is open daily from 29 November to 6 January from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
The Christmas fair around the El Corte Inglé shopping centre awaits visitors from 28 November to 5 January from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. (weekends — 8 and 25 December and 1 January). Not only can you do your holiday shopping here, but you can also listen to musical performances, the schedule of which can be found on the website.
Holiday Video Mapping Show
Don’t miss the stunning video mapping show on the south facade of the tower of Malaga Cathedral on the Molina Lario side of the street. In 2024 it’s called Manto de Estrellas (Mantle of Stars) and runs from 1 December to 4 January (except 24 and 31 December). The Christmas lights in Malaga Cathedral are lit three times a day — at 7:00, 8:30 and 10:00 p.m. The duration of the show is about 8 minutes.
For the first time this year, the light show will also appear on the facade of the Town Hall. It will feature traditional Christmas motifs such as bells, stars, candy, and figures of the Three Kings.
If you’re looking for things to see in Malaga with kids at Christmas, the Teatinos-Universidad neighbourhood is a great choice. From 6 December to 6 January, there is a Christmas park on the esplanade on Decano Agustín Moreno with a huge range of family entertainment. There are concerts, workshops, theatre performances, rides, competitions, dancing, and other activities. And you can grab a bite to eat at one of the street food stalls.
The park is open from Monday to Friday from 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., on weekends and public holidays — from midday to 1:30 p.m. and from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Malaga’s English Cemetery on Christmas Day
The most unexpected place to visit in Malaga at Christmas is the English Cemetery (Cementerio Inglés), the oldest Protestant necropolis in Spain, founded in 1831. From 1 December to 4 January, from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., the cemetery is transformed into a special space that immerses visitors in the atmosphere of a Victorian Christmas. There are traditional English carolers dressed in stylised 19th-century costumes and theatrical performances based on Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Guests can take a tour of the cemetery decorated with twinkling garlands, enjoy hot chocolate or mulled wine from the van, and visit the small Christmas shop.
Chocoland Festival at Muelle Uno
If you’re spending Christmas in Malaga with the kids, then be sure to check out the Chocoland Festival at Muelle Uno, an open-air shopping complex in the port of Malaga. The festivities start on 29 November at 7:30 p.m. when Papa Noel arrives at the pier in his yacht and then proceeds to his fairy chocolate shop surrounded by elves, fairies, and other fairy tale characters. It is located in the square near the pharmacy and looks like a chocolate cup turned upside down.
Until 4 January, this place becomes the residence of Pope Noel, where young visitors can enjoy fun games, Christmas shows and fairy tales, concerts, workshops, and much more. A detailed programme can be found on the shopping centre’s website.
Three Kings Parade
The Parade of the Three Kings, which traditionally takes place on 5 January, serves as a grand end to the Christmas season in Málaga. It starts at 6:00 p.m. from the Ayuntamiento de Málaga building. Their Majesties ride on festively decorated platforms, seated on thrones. They are accompanied by 10 other platforms, as well as pageboys, fairy-tale characters, dancers, and musicians. And candy rains down on the audience.
The procession moves through the main streets and squares of the historic city centre:
- Avenida de Cervantes;
- Plaza del General Torrijos;
- Paseo del Parque;
- Plaza de La Marina;
- Alameda Principal;
- Puente de Tetuá;
- Calle Nazareno del Paso;
- Calle Hilera;
- Puente de la Esperanza;
- Calle Prim;
- Calle Atarazanas;
- Calle Puerta del Mar;
- Alameda Principal;
- Plaza de la Marina.
The final point of the procession is the Cortina del Muelle. After that, the Three Kings dismount and together with their entourage walk along Molina Lario to Plaza del Obispo, where they make the traditional offering to the Infant Jesus in the Cathedral of Malaga. This is followed by a concert performed by the Escolanía del Orfeón Universitario de Málaga.
To see the parade of the Three Kings in all its glory, get your seats early, as there are always plenty of spectators along the streets. You can also buy seating at Paseo del Parque, Plaza de la Marina, and Alameda Principal. They are sold online at the Agrupación de Cofradías de Semana Santa de Málaga website. Sales usually start in the second half of December.
Read also: 7 Places to Celebrate a Merry Christmas in Spain
Where to stay in Malaga for Christmas
Hotels in Malaga at Christmas will definitely please you with a wide choice of rooms and excellent service, but only if you make reservations in advance. During the festive season, the demand for accommodation is very high.
As for specific hotels, we advise you to stay in one of those that can offer a favourable location and a good view of the Christmas lights of Malaga. This will allow you to fully immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere. As an example:
- AC Hotel Malaga Palacio is located between Malaga Cathedral and Paseo del Parque Boulevard, close to the most important Christmas location, Calle Larios. The hotel belongs to the Marriott brand, which guarantees excellent service. It has a rooftop terrace with a swimming pool and bar, offering mind-blowing views of the Christmas city.
- The Only YOU Malaga Hotel has the most favourable location, at the beginning of the city’s main shopping street. And on its top eighth floor is the Lolita Skyview Pool & Lounge terrace. From here you can admire the lights of Calle Larios and Alameda Principal while swimming in the landscaped pool or sipping cocktails at the bar.
- The Vincci Larios Diez Hotel (4 stars) is housed in a historic 19th-century building, and its name suggests it’s on Calle Larios. The rooms here are large, modern, and very comfortable. There is a terrace and Gastro Space El Taller de Larios Diez restaurant on the roof. The hotel is recognised in the Michelin Guide.
- Hotel Molina Lario is on the street of the same name, a step away from Málaga Cathedral. Staying here is like buying a front-row ticket to see the Three Kings Parade. Plus, there’s the excellent Matiz restaurant and La Terraza, a rooftop bar with great views.
Where to eat on Christmas Day in Malaga
Are the restaurants in Malaga open on Christmas Day? They are open, but not all of them are. Many family-run establishments are not open at this time. And the rest of the restaurants are extremely busy. That’s why Spain Voyages advises you to always book in advance. The easiest way to get Christmas Eve dinner in Malaga is to stay in a hotel with a good restaurant.
In the Muelle Uno shopping complex, Plaza de la Merced, and Pedregalejo beach you can also find working Malaga restaurants for Christmas Day. These are usually small chain establishments.
As you stroll through the festive markets and fairs, don’t miss the opportunity to sample Malaga’s traditional Christmas sweets, made with local wine, such as roscos doughnuts and borrachuelos. Other treats that can be bought anywhere in Spain during the festive season are also sold here, such as mantecados, marzipan, and turrón nougat in different flavours.
Add our article to your bookmarks: it contains a lot of useful information.
Also join us on Pinterest to keep up to date with the latest news.
