If you own a luxury villa in Marbella (or are looking for a luxury house for sale in Marbella) and are planning a warm Mediterranean Christmas on the Costa del Sol this year, there is plenty for you to look forward to. Not only does the Christmas season in Spain stretch from the 1st December to the 6th January (Three Kings), Marbella is a magical place to be at this very special time of the year.
Even better, this year you don’t need to wait until the 1st December to see the Christmas lights, as the show-stopping decorations and light shows in Málaga city will be officially turned on the 29th November, kicking off the festivities in the province in a dramatic style.
Málaga Christmas lights
Málaga, the capital city of the province, is only around one hour from Marbella, and it is well-worth the trip to see the much-anticipated festive decorations. Considered to be one of the best Christmas displays in Europe, Calle Marques de Larios (the main shopping street) along with 80 adjoining streets and squares will be ablaze with over 2 million LED lights, celestial angels and five gigantic Christmas trees. Once the lights have been switched on in the Plaza de la Constitution, the city centre will be lit up with twinkling lights every night, until 22.00 Sunday to Wednesday and on the last three days of the week until 24.00.
3D lights and music
The city’s famed light show will also start on the 29th, whereby latest technology is used to project 3D imagery across historic buildings. In tandem with the lights, there are also musical shows, including carol concerts, which take place at regular intervals at 18.30, 20.00 and 22.00, except for Christmas Eve and Three Kings parade (5th January.
Málaga food fair
If you are going to Málaga to see the lights, you could also take advantage of the Sabor a Málaga food fair, where you can sample delicious locally produced charcuterie, cheese, chocolate and olive oil. In addition to the food stalls, this six-day fair will feature over 100 producers, also street food trucks, cooking demonstrations in the Eduardo Ocon auditorium and there’ll be music. Prizes will be awarded for the best cheese and wine in Málaga. The opening dates have yet to be confirmed.
Kempinski Christmas market
In addition to the weekly Saturday markets near the bullring in Puerto Banús, on the 30th November, you can head down to the luxurious 5-star Kempinski hotel to their annual Christmas market. Located on the New Golden Mile, Estepona, an area that forms part of the Costa del Sol’s ‘Golden Triangle’, along with Marbella and Benahavís, due to the high concentration of luxury property sales, this year’s market features some exciting stalls, including artisan olive oils, handmade chocolates, coffee, crafts and jewellery, perfect for a last-minute Christmas gift.
The market opens at 13.00, a children’s play area will be available from 14.30, there will be a children’s choir and Santa Claus will be delighting the little ones with a visit at around 16.00. After which there will be more festive carols and the tree will be officially lit at 18.30.
Belen (nativity scenes)
Nativity scenes are a much-loved and long-standing tradition at Christmastime in Spain, every year, the municipality of Marbella works with the Nativity Association (Asociación Belenistas de Marbella) to present detailed depictions of the birth of Jesus Christ. Much pride is taken by everyone involved, with each town and village displaying their own nativity scene or ‘Belén’. Marbella’s nativity scene will be displayed in the Plaza de la Iglesia de la Encarnación at the heart of the Old Town. Also, part of greater Marbella, just 15 minutes’ drive from the town centre, San Pedro de Alcántara also has its own nativity on display in the town hall. The public are free to visit the displays and marvel at the painstaking work and love that has gone into creating these highly intricate religious scenes.
Christmas by Candlelight
If you would like to countdown to Christmas by enjoying an evening of music, you can reserve a table for the Christmas by Candlelight concert on the 21st December at Linares Hall Anantara Villa Padierna. It is expected to be a superb evening with a range of musical performances by the Resonance String Quartet, playing a range of tunes from old favourites like Silent Night and Jingle Bells, to the Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy. Find out more information about the candlelight concerts in Marbella here.
Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve in Marbella
As anyone who lives on the Golden Mile Marbella, or own luxury homes in Marbella’s many property hotspots, can testify, dining out is one of the best experiences in Marbella, and Christmas (and Near Year’s Eve) is no exception.
Although, the Spanish Christmas Eve is a time for friends and family to come together for a festive home cooked feast and midnight mass, there is an incredible choice of high-calibre eateries offering carefully curated festive menus. In the Puente Romano Beach Resort alone, there is a cornucopia of high-end restaurants, including Nobu, Cipriani and several establishments by award-winning Michelin starred chef Dani Garcia.
Alternatively, head into the Old Town where you’ll superb restaurants nestled amongst the cobbled streets, including the excellent Belgian Bistro Casanis. If you enjoy delicious French cuisine, Cascada restaurant located a short drive from central Marbella, serves up an exquisite menu of festive treats created by celebrity chefs Jacques y Mathieu Lagarde.
On New Year’s Eve, it is a Spanish tradition to eat 12 grapes during the 12 chimes of midnight on New Year’s Eve. Unsurprisingly, the pretty Plaza de los Naranjos in Marbella’s Old Town, one of the most popular destinations on this night. Everyone gathers together, locals and tourists, to hear the Town Hall clock strike the arrival of the New Year and to party. If you prefer a more low-key evening, you can head down to the beach and ring in the New Year as the tide laps at your feet.
(La Cabalgata de Reyes) Three Kings in Marbella
The Three Kings is the best part of Christmas for children in Spain, as it on this day that children receive their Christmas presents (6th of January). In every town and city there are processions through the streets, with figures dressed as the three kings who brought gifts to the baby Jesus, Balthazar, Caspar and Melchior, who throw sweets to the children lining the street (5th of January). It’s also a day for coming together to share a meal and spend time together, similar to how English-speaking countries celebrate on the 25th December.
If you are considering visiting Marbella over the festive season and looking for property on the Costa del Sol, whether luxury apartments in Puerto Banús or premium quality villas on the Golden Mile Marbella like Andara Villas 1 & 2, or would like to discuss a real estate development project, please contact [email protected].
