5 Reasons to celebrate Christmas in Malaga
Bright lights, colour, taste and sound – the festive season in Malaga ranks as one of the highlights of the cultural, gastronomic and retail year. For something a little bit different, why not celebrate Christmas in Malaga?
Good weather is almost guaranteed – the sun doesn’t burn but you can still sit outside in short sleeves and soak up the December rays. And although the temperatures drop at night, you probably won’t need your hat, gloves and scarf.
But apart from enjoying a welcome dose of warm winter sunshine, here are five other reasons you should celebrate this Christmas in Malaga.
Christmas lights in Malaga
One thing Malaga does extremely well is Christmas lights. From the Alameda Principal to the Plaza de General Torrijos, the whole of the city centre turns into one bright Christmas festival of lights.
Highlights include the Alameda Principal, Calle Larios – this year’s display of twinkling angels is exceptional – and the Christmas trees displayed in Plaza de la Marina, Plaza del Obispo and Plaza de la Constitución.
The display on Calle Larios offers light and sound shows three times every evening when it ‘dances’ to the music. Watch it at 6.30pm, 8.30pm and 10pm from 29 November to 4 January (except 24 and 31 December).
The video below gives you an idea of what to expect on Calle Larios.
Malaga Christmas lights are on from 29 November to midnight on 6 January.
Top tip – the music and sound show on Calle Larios gets very crowded. To enjoy it with fewer people, go to the last show of the evening (10pm) or the second two shows mid-week.
Christmas Music and Dance in Malaga
The festive season in Malaga comes with several musical highlights including:
Christmas classical music concert
The Malaga Philharmonic Orchestra accompany Helge Antoni on the piano playing Arvo Pärt and the soprano Yolanda Auyanet performing Mahler Symphony No 4 at the Cervantes Theatre on Thursday 11 and Friday 15 December at 8pm. More information here.
The Nutcracker
Perhaps the most Christmassy ballet of all, you can watch this Tchaikovsky classic and Swan Lake at the Cervantes Theatre in December.
- Swanlake – Monday 29 December at 8pm at the Cervantes Theatre. Tickets from €18 and available here.
- The Nutcracker – the Kiev Ballet performs this classic Christmas ballet at the Cervantes Theatre on Tuesday 6 January at 7.30pm. Tickets cost from €18 and are available here.
Traditional Christmas music
The verdiales, dance and music from the villages in the Montes de Malaga mountains, are a traditional part of Christmas in Malaga. To celebrate its vibrant sounds, the city has held an annual verdiales competition for over 50 years.
Around 30 groups of musicians and dancers compete in three sections, based on where they’re from – the Montes, AlmogÃa or Comares. The competition takes place in the Cortijo de Torres in the fairground towards the end of December. Date to be confirmed for 2025.
The video below gives you an idea of what to expect.
You can also watch and listen to verdiales music in Plaza de la Constitución on 23, 25, 26, 27 and 28 December.
Christmas food in Malaga
Christmas is a great culinary time of the year in Malaga, particularly when it comes to sweets and cakes. Try some of the traditional local Christmas fare such as marzipan, mantecado biscuits, turrón nougat and roscos de vino (wine and aniseed biscuits).
The best place for buying these is at local bakeries (try La Canasta or Aparicio) and in traditional grocery stores. Check out La Mallorquina on Plaza Féliz Saenz.
Top tip – take home a classic Malaga souvenir of turrón nougat made by Casa Mira. Buy it at their store on Calle Larios or on Calle CÃster.
Christmas culture in Malaga
Christmas in Spain has two essential cultural elements:
Nativity scenes
Known as belenes in Spanish, these are traditionally set up in churches and chapels, but you’ll often find them in museums, cultural centres and department stores. All are works of art with amazing detail in the figures and their surroundings.
There are over 70 of them. Malaga tourist office publishes a leaflet and map detailing the Malaga nativity scene trail. See them 5 December to 5 January.
Three Kings Parade
This parade is the absolute highlight of any Spanish child’s year. The Three Kings Parade in Malaga starts with the Kings’ arrival at the Alcazaba and continues in a lavish show of colour and lights as the parade moves slowly through the city. The Kings and their helpers throw thousands of kilos of sweets as they complete their annual tour.
5 January from 5pm in the city centre.
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