The best Christmas events in Valencia

At Christmas, Valencia is filled with lights, music and fun. We have selected the most interesting festive events in the city for you to experience the special Mediterranean Christmas atmosphere.

Free concerts on the streets of Valencia

Christmas in Valencia can not be imagined without music. From December 14 to December 30, free concerts will be held in the streets and squares throughout the city. Don’t miss the opportunity to hear classic Christmas hits performed by a variety of bands and groups. The schedule of concerts can be found here.

Valencia Christmas Lights

This year the Christmas lights on the streets of Valencia were lit 3 weeks later than usual, as a sign of respect for the victims of the storm DANA. Garlands decorated the city’s busiest shopping and pedestrian streets, as well as markets. The Mercado de Colón illumination is complemented by festive decorations on the facade of the Town Hall. The lights will be lit daily from 18:00 to midnight, and on public holidays until 03:00.

A 25-meter-high Christmas tree and a life-size creche with decorations have been installed in the Town Hall Square. Each of the city’s 19 districts also has its own Christmas tree. In addition, this year Valencia is decorated with 10,000 poinsettia bushes. They can be seen in Puente de las Flores, Jardín del Turia, Jardín de Ayora, Jardines del Real, Plaza del Ayuntamiento, Paseo de la Alameda and Parque Central.

Read also: Christmas in Catalonia and Barcelona — festive traditions and events

Christmas Ship at Marina de València

Every day until January 4, a Christmas ship will depart from the harbor of Valencia, where everyone can sail with Pope Noel, the Wizard King of the East, the Royal pageboys and the Grinch. For children on the ship there is a themed area where they can give letters to Papa Noel and have their picture taken with him. Tickets cost 7 euros and admission is free for children under 2 years old.

Feria de Atracciones de Navidad

The traditional Feria de Atracciones de Navidad has already opened between Avenida de Francia and Ingeniero Manuel Soto Street. More than 40 attractions await young and adult guests, including a Ferris wheel, bumper cars, roller coasters, carousels, horror house and much more. Entrance tickets cost from 3 euros. The fair will be open until January 19.

Valencia’s Christmas markets

Original gifts, toys, crafts, traditional sweets and much more can be bought at Valencia’s Christmas markets:

• Craft Fair at Plaza de la Reina (Nov. 24 to Jan. 7);
• Christmas market in the City of Arts and Sciences (December 13 to January 6);
• Mercadillo de Navidad y Reyes between Calle Hospital and Avenida del Oeste;
• Royal Market at Mercado del Cabanyal;
• Christmas market at Mercado de Tapinería (December 19 to January 5);
• Coolmarket at 52 Cirilo Amorós Street;
• Valencia Christmas Market in the sports area of Colegio San Antonio Abad (from December 21 to January 5). 

Read also: Christmas in Malaga — give yourself an unforgettable holiday!

Nadal de Circ con «Amb Escalante»

From December 14 to January 4, the Main Theater of Valencia invites guests to a unique circus performance at Teatro Escalante. You will have the opportunity to go to the heart of the circus and learn all its secrets. The impressive show combines elements of acrobatics, juggling and magic. Tickets cost from 5 euros.

Ice skating rink and carousel at Plaza del Ayuntamiento

Until January 6, Valencia’s Town Hall Square will be home to an ice skating rink. The cost for a 30-minute ride is €6 with DivertiVale or €9 without. The rink is open Monday through Sunday from 11:00 to 23:00, and on December 24 and 31 from 11:00 to 20:00.

A traditional Christmas carousel is installed in the center of the square for the youngest ones. You can ride it for only 4 euros. Until December 20, the carousel will be open from Monday to Friday from 11:00 to 14:00 and from 16:00 to 22:00, and on Saturdays and Sundays – from 11:00 to 23:00. Starting December 21, the opening hours will be as follows: Monday through Sunday from 11:00 to 23:00, and on December 24 and 31 – from 11:00 to 20:00.

Christmas in the City of Arts and Sciences

Until January 6, the Ciutat de les Arts i les Ciències will host a special Christmas program. Hemisfèric is showing the animated film The Light of Christmas«», Oceanogràfic is presenting the fifth «Christmas Under the Sea» festival on climate change, and a Christmas market will open on the Paseo de Arbotantes del Umbracle. In addition, a drawing competition «Christmas in the City of Arts and Sciences», many children’s workshops and a live creche are planned.

Christmas workshops for children

The Christmas Fair in the City of Arts and Sciences will host children’s workshops every day until January 6. Young guests will be able to learn how to make masks, make candles, decorate glasses, paint Christmas tree balls and paint creches.

Earlier we wrote: The program of Christmas events in Madrid: the most interesting events

Magical Christmas at Nuevo Centro València

Nuevo Centro València has prepared a lot of Christmas entertainment for guests. Until January 5, you can admire the huge creche, and from December 16 to 23 you can join the traditional toy collection campaign « Métele un gol a la pobreza». Until December 24, children will be able to meet and take free photos with Pope Noel, and from December 26 to January 4 — with the Viziers of the Three Kings. On December 26 at 12:30 p.m., Circo Wonderland artists will perform in the Inner Plaza. In addition, Nuevo Centro València will host free concerts throughout the holidays.

Papanoelada motera 2024

On Sunday, December 22, hundreds of motorcyclists dressed as Santa Claus will ride through the streets of Valencia. As part of the campaign «Papanoelada motera 2024», which aims to support children affected by DANA, they will visit several neighborhoods of the city, distributing gifts and sweets. Everyone is welcome to join the action.

Parade of the Three Kings (Cabalgata de los Reyes Magos)

The traditional Parade of the Three Kings will take place in Valencia on January 5, 2025. At 16:30 Their Majesties will arrive by ship in the harbor of Valencia, and at 17:30 the solemn procession will begin. The cortege of festively decorated carriages will travel along the following route: Navarro Reverter, Puerta del Mar, General Palanca, General Tovar, Paz, Plaza de la Reina, San Vicente, Plaza del Ayuntamiento and Marqués de Sotelo. In front of the creche, the kings will stop to worship the Baby Jesus and then enter the Crystal Hall of City Hall where they will meet with the children. 

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Photo from espanarusa.com