The mild Mediterranean temperatures of a Marbella winter might mean it will never be a traditional ‘winter wonderland’ with snowy scenes and crisp frosts, but the town is still able to work its own festive magic.
Those lucky enough to own a villa or apartment in Marbella have no problem getting in to the festive spirit with the activities the town has to offer. From the traditional nativity scenes (belens) found in churches, chapels, shopping centres and in private homes, to the ubiquitous Christmas lights and the El Gordo Christmas lottery, the season is always special.
The magic builds from the word go, which is marked by the emblematic switching on of the aforementioned festive lights. It is (perhaps) from that point on that it becomes socially acceptable to start playing Christmas songs, and it even marks the moment you may start to think about getting your festive jumper out of the wardrobe. This year, that event is on the 27th November in Marbella and San Pedro Alcántara.
Christmas bazaars and fayres offer the chance to find a unique and charming gift for that one friend who is really hard to buy for, or that niece who has everything. And don’t forget the La Cañada commercial centre, which offers not just a shopper’s paradise, but a Christmas one too. From the 1st to the 26th December, Santa will be waiting to meet you and the shops and restaurants will transform themselves with festive decorations.
Of course, the Christmas season would not be the same without fine food and Marbella is no different. Whilst some relish the smell of a traditional Christmas dinner cooking, others opt for a more Mediterranean experience. Try the Michelin starred El Lago in Elviria Hills for the best innovative dishes cooked with the finest local produce.
Maybe it’s the sparkle of the Christmas lights or the general buzz around December, but spirits are usually reaching their peak by Christmas Eve. Excitement mixes with relief as the shopping has been done and the only thing left to do is enjoy the atmosphere that Marbella creates so well and celebrate with family and friends. Many end their evening at a service of Midnight Mass, which can be made to feel extra special should you come across the carol singers who fill the streets with their song.
Christmas is just one element that makes the exclusive Marbella lifestyle so enjoyable. Greenlife Estates has a prime selection of properties for sale and sent in the area. Please contact us for more information.
CHRISTMAS EVENTS IN MARBELLA
Every Sunday in December: noon-6pm Marbella Christmas market. First line of the Puerto Deportivo de Marbella (Marbella marina)
Monday, December 14th
8am: Trip to Medina Sidonia from the Centro de Participación Activa para Personas Mayores de Marbella Encarna Cantero
9pm: Cinema—Original language (English) with subtitles. Short Term 12 (Las vidas de Grace) Instituto Rio Verde. C/. Notario Luis Oliver, 18, Marbella
Tuesday, December 15th
Noon: Opening of the Children’s Christmas card exhibition. Parque Alameda, Marbella
Wednesday, December 16th
6pm: Prize giving for the winner of the Children’s Illuminations competition. Paseo de Alameda, Marbella
Thursday, December 17th
11am to 1pm: Guided tour of the Villa Romano de Río Verde. Meeting at the Villa Romano
5pm: Royal Postman’s visit at the neighbourhood association Las Albarizas, C/Magallanes
7pm: Concert by Academia Arcos de San Pedro, Teatro Ciudad de Marbella
7pm: DJ Retro, DJing for a Cause at Rosé Marbella
8pm: Christmas concert. Carol service by students from the Conservatorio Municipal de Musica, Salón de actos del Conservatorio. Parque de la Constitución, Marbella. Free entry
Friday, December 18th
2pm: Christmas Sweets competition at Centro de Participación Activa Miraflores de Marbella
6pm: Hispanic-Arabic conference at the Palacio de Ferias y Congresos Adolfo Suarez de Marbella Conference 6pm, Arab food area 7pm to 9pm and show at 9.30pm. More information: www.marbellacongresos.com and www.festival-hisponoarabe.com
5pm: Santa Claus party at the El Barrio neighbourhood association
5pm: Chocolate event at the Fernando de los Ríos neighbourhood association
6pm: Opening of the ice rink next to the Palacio de Ferias y Congresos. Adults’ and children’s rinks, kids fair rides, chocolate and food area. Open daily until the 10th January. Times: 11am to 11pm
7pm: ‘Zambombada’ at the Templete del Parque de la Alameda, with a Zambomba (traditional musical instrument) performance by Manuel de la Josefa
9pm: Concert ‘Entre Coplas’ Joanna Jiménez and Antonio Cortés, Teatro Ciudad de Marbella. Entrance: €20
9pm: Christmas concert by Choir of Ntra. Sra. de la Encarnación Parroquia de la Encarnación, Marbella
Saturday, December 19th
10am: Solidarity Challenge at the Complejo Antonio Serrano Lima organised by the sports department
Noon: Zambomba performance at the Plaza Santo Sepulcro organised by the brotherhood of El Nazareno
1.30pm: The Great Russian Christmas Show at the Palacio de Ferias y Congresos Adolfo Suarez de Marbella. More information: www.marbellacongresos.com
4pm: VIII Turkey Trot (run) leaving from Avda. Ramon y Cajal. Parque de la Alameda
5pm: Living Nativity performed by the Asociación Juvenil Ntra. Sra de la Amargura
5.30pm: Traditional Christmas dance and snack at Centro de Participación Activa Los Paisajes de Marbella
7.30pm: Christmas musical performance by Academia de Baile Maribel Urbano at the Palacio de Ferias y Congresos. Free entry on donation of one kilo of non-perishable food to Cáritas Divina Pastora
8pm: ‘Zambombada’ at la Plaza de los Infantes (Bda. Plaza de Toros), with performance by Dale Jaleo
Sunday, December 20th
Noon: Living Nativity at the Parque de la Alameda, 30th anniversary. Performances at noon and 4pm in aid of Unidad de Cuidados Paliativos de la Asociación Española contra el cáncer de Marbella (cancer palliative care charity of Spain)
5pm: Christmas snack at the Centro de Participación Activa Plaza de Toros de Marbella
6pm: ‘De Cuentos, el Musical’ (Storytelling, the Musical). Children will be the stars of the show and have a great time with their favourite characters. Palacio de Congresos. Shows: 6pm and 8pm. More information: 640 345 134 Tickets: Decuentoselmusical.com
7pm: Christmas Concert. Teatro Ciudad de Marbella. Tickets: €15
Monday, December 21st
5pm: Christmas snack for members of the Vazquez Clave neighbourhood association
Tuesday, December 22nd
5.30pm: Prize giving for the Children’s Christmas card competition and the nativity scene competition. Plaza de la Iglesia
6pm: Christmas snack at the Participación Activa para Personas Mayores Encarna Cantero de Marbella
Wednesday, December23rd
5pm: Christmas Parade on the theme ‘Los Dulces de Navidad’ (Christmas sweets) through the town. Starts from Avda. Trapiche and follows C/ Salvador Rueda, C/ San Francisco, Plaza Santo Cristo, C/ Ancha, C/ Remedios, C/ Virgen de los Dolores, C/ Carmen, Plaza de la Iglesia, C/ Caridad, C/ San Juan de Dios, C/ Enrique del Castillo, Avda. Ramón y Cajal and finishing at Paseo de la Alameda.
5.30pm: Children’s Christmas party, Paseo de la Alameda with different activities for the kids including bouncy castles, workshops and magic show
6pm: Visit from Santa to the Vazquez Clave neighbourhood association to collect letters. A raffle with prizes will be held (previous registration required)
8pm: Rock concert by Excéntrico Milú in the Plaza de la Iglesia
Thursday, December 24th
7pm: Eucharist at the Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación church
Midnight: Eucharist at the Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación church
Christmas Day
11am, 12.30pm, 7pm and 8pm: Christmas services at the Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación church
Boxing Day, December 26th
10am: Relay swim at the Antonio Serrano Lima sports centre, organised by the sports department.
11am: Parade by the Royal Postmen representing the Three Kings. Starts at Edif. Parque Miraflores and follows Avda. José Luis Morales, C/ Mayorazgo, Avda. Trapiche, C/ Salvador Rueda, C/ San Francisco, Plaza Santo Cristo, C/ Ancha, C/ Peral, Plaza de la Victoria, C/ Estación, Plaza de Los Naranjos, Plaza General Chinchilla, C/ Carmen and finishing at the Plaza de la Iglesia
Noon: Live Children’s show ‘La Navidad en los Ojos de un niño’ (Christmas through the eyes of a child) at the Plaza de la Iglesia
Sunday, December 27th
Solemnity for the Holy Family at the Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación church at 10am, 11am, 12.30pm, 7pm and 8pm
5pm: Pastoral parade through the town ending at the Plaza del Santo Crísto
6pm: Pastoral pageant inside the Santo Crísto chapel. Churros and chocolate for all
9pm: Comedy Gala at the Palacio de Ferias y Congresos (In Spanish)
Thursday, December 31st
Midnight: See the New Year in at the End of Year party in the gazebo at the Parque Arroyo de la Represa. Free entry
New Year’s Day
Solemnity of Saint Mary Mother of God and for the New Year at Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación church at 11am, 12,30pm, 7pm and 8pm
Sunday, January 3rd
Services for the second Sunday after Christmas, Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación church at 10am, 11am, 12.30pm, 7pm and 8pm
11am: Parade ‘Buenos días con Peppa’ (Good morning with Peppa Pig), starting at the Divina Pastora church, Avda. Europa, C/ San Antonio, Avda. Peñuelas, C/ Los Naranjos, Avda. Europa, Avda. Maiz Viñals and finishing in the Parque de la Represa
Noon: Children’s Christmas party, Parque Arroyo de la Represa with activities for the kids including bouncy castle, face painting and Peppa Pig show
5pm: New Year’s Roscón snack at Centros de Participación Activa para Personas Mayores de Miraflores y Plaza de Toros
6pm: ‘Pinocho. Un Musical para soñar’ (Pinocchio. A musical for dreams). Teatro Ciudad Marbella. Tickets €16
Tuesday, January 5th
The three Kings arrive in Marbella with the following itinerary:
Noon: The kings arrive at Marbella’s Puerto Deportivo by boat to be greeted by the mayor and given the keys to the city. They will be taken on a tour of the town in classic cars, then will make an appearance on the Town Hall balcony
6pm: The Three Kings Parade will take the following route: Avda. Severo Ochoa (Edif. La Zambomba), Avda. Ramón y Cajal, Avda. Ricardo Soriano finishing at the Plaza Monseñor Rodrigo Bocanegra (El Piruli)
Wednesday, January 6th
Epiphany service at Nuestra Señora de la Encarnación church at 11am, 12.30pm, 7pm and 8pm
CHRISTMAS EVENTS IN NUEVA ANDALUCÍA
Thursday, December 17th
5pm: Children’s party at Avda de las Palmeras (colonia El Angel) with bouncy castle, entertainment and a visit from Santa
Saturday, December 19th
Noon: Live nativity scene next to the Asociación de Vecinos
Wednesday, December 23rd
5pm: Childrens’ party and welcome to Santa with activities for the kids. Bouncy castle, workshops, kids entertainment and lots of surprises. Nueva Andalucía Sprts Centre
Thursday, December 24th
Midnight: Mass at the Virgen Madre de Nueva Andalucía church
Wednesday, December 30th
6.30pm: Pastoral parade El Angel through Nueva Andalucía
7pm: ‘Zambombada’ Virgen Madre opposite Virgen Madre de Nueva Andalucía church.
Free chocolate and churros
Monday, January 4th
5pm: Roscón de Reyes (traditional cake) tasting with party for grandparents and grandchildren at the Centro de Participación Activa para Personas Mayores de Nueva Andalucía
5.30pm: Children’s party and welcome to the Three Kings’ postman at the Plaza de la Iglesia Virgen Madre with activities for kids. Including bouncy castle, workshops, and kids entertainment. Roscón de Reyes for all the children
7.30pm: The Royal Postman arrives at the Virgen Madre de Nueva Andalucía church to accept letters from the children
Tuesday, January 5th
3.15pm: Reception for the Three Kings at the Virgen Madre de Nueva Andalucía church
3.30pm: Three Kings Parade, starting at Virgen Madre church and following Avda. Gustavo Adolfo Bécquer, C/ Álvaro de la Iglesia, C/Lope de Vega, C/ Garcilaso de la Vega, Avda. Miguel de Cervantes, C/ Jorge Manrique y finaliza en Avda. Gustavo Adolfo Becquer. The three Kings will return to the church to greet children
Massimo Filippa
