Events
Christmas in Malaga
Christmas in Málaga is a special time as everywhere, but there are some diffrences. How are the Spanish celebrating this time? What are the most important dates? and what to do at Christmas in Malaga? Please find below some useful information:
Christmas illumination
In fact, it is already a tradition and it is the festive lighting of the lights in Malaga that begins the time of Christmas. Every year it is different and every year it evokes admiration, to the extent that you can boldly call Malaga one of the most illuminated cities in this part of Europe :) In 2022 we have a new Christmas illumination consisting of 16 (each 4m in size) "Heavenly Angels". They are decorated with shiny, dichroic leaves so that they can glow during the day as well. The music that will sound this year in the light show is "Carol of the Bells and" Jingle Bells ". Every day (except December 24 and 31) there will be three shows at 19:00, 20:30 and 22:00. During the week, the illumination will be on from 18:30 to midnight, and up to 2 nights at weekends. The shows, which started on November 26, will accompany us until January 4
Christmas nativity scene
The Nativity Scenes in Malaga are real works of art, built with great precision and panache. You can buy any figurine at the stalls and build various biblical scenes, which are later placed in homes instead of our Christmas tree. In addition, you can also admire the nativity scenes in various places in Malaga, including in the Cathedral, from 10.00 - 13.00 and 17.00 - 20.00 or Ayuntamiento de Málaga. Lists of nativity scenes here.
December 22 Loteria de Navidad
Let's not be afraid to say it out loud - Spanish are crazy about the Christmas Lottery, which is the oldest (started by King Carlos III in 1763) and also the largest lottery in Spain. The draw takes about 5 hours, so don't count on quick service in bars that day;) and the lucky numbers are drawn by children from Colegio San Ildefonso in Madrid singing them out loud. It is a real tradition and there is practically no Spanish who would not take part in it, and the coupons are collected together by friends, entire families and employees to increase the chances of the main win of "El Gordo", which this year went to, among others, employees O2 gym in Málaga. Coupons for € 20 can be purchased at special points a few months earlier, but avoid those sold on the streets.
December 24 (Christmas Eve)
The time when Spaniards gather with their families at home for a common, quite late dinner. At home, instead of a Christmas tree, we usually find nativity scenes depicting the Nativity of Jesus, and on the table we will not see 12 dishes, because each region prepares typical dishes; in Málaga it is mainly turkey and all seafood and fish. For dessert, we will eat mantecados (consisting of almond butter, chocolate, cinnamon and lemon), marzipan, turrón (consisting mainly of almonds and honey) or los borrachuelos - all incredibly sweet. Apart from red wine, Spaniards like to sip a cave during dinner, i.e. sparkling wine, and then go to Midnight Mass called la Misa del Gallo (Rooster Mass) NOTE: on this day, virtually all restaurants work only until 16.00 On December 25, restaurants are now working normally, December 26 is a working day.
​
December 28, El Día de los Santos Inocentes (Day of the Saints of the Innocents)
A holiday rooted in biblical events - the slaughter of the innocents by King Herod in Judea in modern Spain is April Fool's Day. Do not be surprised by the absurd information in the press or small jokes in shops or pubs;)
December 31 New Year's Eve
New Year's Eve in Spain also has its own customs. When the clock strikes 12 times at 12 o'clock at that moment, the Spaniards eat 12 grapes, one for each successive month. Moreover, one of the superstitions says that red lingerie worn at night can also bring good luck;) In Malaga, like every year, you can welcome the New Year at Plaza de Constitucion, where various activities take place and you can buy bags with grapes. All restaurants are open until late.
​
January 5-6, El Día de los Reyes Magos (Epiphany Day)
The holiday season in Spain ends with Epiphany, when gifts are given then. The evening before, i.e. on January 5, parades and royal vehicles with 3 kings and various characters, scattering candies and small gifts, go out to the city. The whole spectacle is accompanied by a great fiesta, music and crowds waiting for the 3 Kings. On a Christmas morning, whole families eat a cake called Roscón de Reyes, a ring of yeast dough decorated with candied fruit, with 2 "surprises" inside: a broad bean and a tiny figurine. Whoever finds it becomes king for one day, and whoever gets broad beans pays for the cake.
Additional events During Christmas Time 2022
Drone shows
In addition to the Christmas illumination, this year you will be able to see a show of 120 drones, which will present Christmas images. This performance will premiere on December 3 and will be repeated on December 4, 6, 7 and 9 at 8:30 p.m. on December 23 at 19.30. Places from which you can watch the show: Palmeral de las Sorpresas, la plaza de la Marina, Muelle Uno y Gibralfaro.
Video Mapping
The facade of the Cathedral of Malaga will be once again the hero of Christmas. As last year, a video mapping / architectural projection using the latest laser technology will be displayed. That is why infographics in 2 and 3 dimensions were created for the purposes of the show. Demonstrations lasting 8 to 10 minutes will run at 19:00, 20:30 and 22:00 from December 27 to January 4, except December 24 and 31. The projections will be a nod to the scents and flavors of Malaga, including a soundtrack full of bells, reindeer and tambourines.
Las Luces del Botánico
From November 27 to January 8, the La Concepción Botanical Garden in Malaga will once again host the Las Luces del Botanico. This year the "Stela" show presents a new light track that will allow visitors to accompany the Three Kings on their journey after the Star of Bethlehem. Millions of light points will decorate a route over 2.2 kilometers long, where more than 20 light installations will transport visitors to such historic places as Persia, Babylon and Bethlehem. The show will take place between 18:00 and 23:00, except December 24 and 31, 2022 and January 5. Tickets can be purchased HERE for 12 € for adults, 14 € during weekends and holidays. Tickets for children costs € 10, weekends and holidays € 12. It is also possible to buy a family ticket (2 + 2) for 34 €, children up to 3 years old enter for free.
How to get there: From the city center by bus no. 2 and 15 minutes on foot or the free Stela bus that goes to the Garden. Drive every 10 minutes. The second option is on the Luces de Navidad tourist bus line 91 - tickets can be purchased with 4 € return tickets. Drive every 30 minutes.
The streets of Malaga
Not only Calla Larios but also San Juan, Molina Lario and eleven Larios cross streets (Sancha de Lara, Don Juan Díaz, Bolsa, Stranchan, Moreno Monroy, Martínez, Alarcón Luján, Manuel Pérez Bryan, Álvarez Fonseca, Marín García and Liborio García) will have a special decoration based on hall chandelier lamps. You will be able to see 76 three-dimensional lamps formed by four surfaces connected by microcircuits. Along Calle San Juan, three different spaces will be created that will recreate the Christmas spectacle "Magic Cave", "Wicker Heaven" and "Spider Room".
Alameda Street
This year Alameda de Málaga will also be the stage for various performances. On December 1 at 7:30 pm, Virginia Gámez from "'Turrón y cuenta nueva' will perform. At the same time, Málaga Brass Band will perform on February 2, and Pasacalles La Carpa from 'Iluminando Estrellas' will perform on March 3.
Don't miss the music
There is no Christmas without music, and in Málaga, traditions are kept alive for years. There are several zambombás in the historic center this year that are not to be missed. This is the name by which the distinctive Christmas festival is known, which derives from gatherings held in neighbors' homes at dusk, where whole families would gather around a central fire, eating and singing their Christmas carols, popular songs in the choir, and singing and dancing flamenco carols to the accompaniment of the musical instrument from which the festival takes its name. There will be performances at the Plaza de Constitucion from 13 to 23 December at 18:45 and 20:15.
​