How to Spend Christmas in Marbella (Guide by a Local)
I love spending Christmas in Marbella! The atmosphere is fantastic, and there are many activities to do – from seeing the beautiful Christmas lights and the nativity scenes to going to the Christmas markets or having a unique dining experience.
While Malaga gets all the attention at Christmas because of its spectacular Christmas lights, in my opinion, Christmas in Marbella is underrated.
It’s a popular summer destination, but if you want to experience a Spanish Christmas, Marbella is a great place. There are fewer crowds than in Malaga, and Marbella is more magical than ever.
If you’re spending the festive season in Marbella, keep reading because I’ll share everything you need to know, from our traditions and food to special events you don’t want to miss.
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Things to do in Marbella at Christmas
1. Take a photo of the beautiful angels at Orange Square
Plaza de los Naranjos, located in the historic centre of Marbella, is an unmissable spot to visit during your time in the city.
From the 1st of December, you’ll find the square decorated with Christmas lights, and in the last few years, they’ve set up giant angels that light up at night. They’re so beautiful and worth seeing!
I recommend having some churros with chocolate in the late afternoon at Churrería Ramón and staying there until the sun goes down to see these angel lights.
2. See one of the nativity scenes in Marbella Centre
There’s nothing more traditional than doing a nativity scene tour. This is an activity I used to do with my grandparents when I was a child, and regardless of your religion or beliefs, some of them are very impressive to see.
These are some of my favourite nativity scenes in Marbella:
- Belén Parroquia Ntra. Sra. de la Encarnación in Nuestra Señora de la Encarnacion Church.
- Belén Cofradía Cristo del Amor in Ermita Santiago in Orange Square (see photo above).
- Belén Municipal in Paseo la Alameda.
3. Visit the Christmas market at Puerto Banus
The luxurious area of Puerto Banus becomes magical during the festive season!
A Christmas market is set up in Marbella’s most sophisticated port on the first of December.
You can find lovely things and many activities for children, such as workshops on food, crafts, and culture. There’s also a beautiful Santa’s Grotto and live music. It’s a fantastic place to visit with your family!
This Christmas Market is available until the 6th of January.
4. Take a look at the Christmas decorations in Cordoba Street
Calle Cordoba has become a popular street during the Christmas season.
If you visit this street any other time of the year, it’s another street, but the residents living on this street decided to take Christmas decorations to the next level, and that’s what they’ve been doing since 2019.
What’s even more impressive is that many of these decorations are handmade. You can see anything from candy canes and wrapped presents to snowmen, and Nutcrackers made with materials like rubber, tins and cotton.
I love the idea of repurposing things and being more sustainable at Christmas, and I’m always impressed by the fact that the decorations are different every year.
5. Engage in one of the Christmas activities at Anantara
If you want to spend Christmas in style, Anantara is the best place to stay during the festive season. This well-known 5-star hotel knows how to celebrate Christmas, and its inauguration starts on December 1st with its impressive Christmas tree.
They have special Christmas offers if you wish to stay in the hotel; however, it isn’t affordable for everyone.
If staying stretches your budget a lot, you can still engage in their Christmas programme, which isn’t only for guests. You will pay a fee for the chosen activity.
Some of the activities include a cookie-baking workshop, a pottery workshop, candlelight concerts, and a Christmas afternoon tea.
Another alternative is to have their special meal on Christmas Eve or New Year’s Eve.
6. Go shopping at La Cañada Shopping Centre
Looking for presents for your loved ones? There are plenty of shopping centres and independent shops in Marbella.
La Cañada Shopping Centre is the biggest in Marbella. It has over 150 shops, including international brands.
With such a wide variety of shops, I’m pretty sure you’ll find presents for everyone.
However, you have a few options if you’re all about buying unique items and buying from local independent shops.
The old town is home to many boutique shops where you can buy lovely clothes, jewellery or local products like olive oil.
Another idea is to get something from the Christmas markets.
7. Attend the Three Kings Parade
The 5th of January is one of the most magical evenings for children in Spain. I remember how excited I was about seeing the Three Wise Men the night before they brought me presents.
If you have children, you really want to attend the Three Kings Parade in Marbella. Expect to see floats with the kings and their helpers in this big parade. Every float is decorated with a different theme; many of them are based on cartoons like the Smurfs, Mickey Mouse and Peter Pan.
As they drive through the streets, they throw sweets and sometimes soft toys and footballs.
This year’s parade will start at 6 pm on Avenida Severo Ochoa.
8. Enjoy the Christmas atmosphere and activities at Forum
If you haven’t heard of Forum before, it’s a shopping complex in the Golden Mile, between Marbella Centre and Puerto Banus. What I love about Forum is that they take the celebrations, including Christmas, seriously.
The place is aesthetically pleasing in every corner, it has excellent restaurants and cafes and gets even better during the holiday season.
This year, they have an ice rink, perfect for all ages, and little food trucks offering pancakes, pastries and hot drinks.
Things to do near Marbella during the festive season
See the Christmas lights in Malaga
Malaga is just over an hour from Marbella, so why not spend the day in Malaga and enjoy its Christmas lights and show?
More and more people from all around the world are visiting Malaga for its lights and atmosphere.
Explore some of Malaga’s main attractions in the old town, have traditional tapas at Casa Blanca, visit the Christmas market in Muelle Uno and end your day trip by watching the Christmas light show at Larios Street, which takes place at 6:30 pm, 8:30 pm and 10 pm.
Also, don’t miss the video mapping show outside Malaga Cathedral!
Visit the most Christmassy town in Southern Spain
Another fantastic day trip from Marbella during the festive season is Rute, a small town in the province of Cordoba.
What makes this place special are its Christmas sweets and chocolate. If you have a sweet tooth, I highly recommend visiting it.
Plus, you can see its huge nativity scene made out of chocolate at Galleros Artesanos.
This town is more popular than ever, so I advise visiting it on a weekday if possible.
Explore other Christmas markets across the Costa del Sol
Besides Marbella, each Costa del Sol town offers a wide variety of Christmas activities, from seeing traditional nativity scenes and zambomba shows to exploring Christmas markets.
I’ve written this detailed guide with all the Christmas markets and events taking place on the Costa del Sol this year.
Christmas traditions in Marbella
If you’re visiting Marbella at Christmas or plan to move here, you’re probably interested in the town’s traditions.
Well, they’re the same as in Malaga and other Spanish cities, but I’ll share everything about the traditions we have been following for years.
Lotería de Navidad
The Christmas lottery is big in Spain. I know that this can be a bit weird for travellers from the US or other countries that don’t do this.
To start with, we have different lotteries for important dates during the festive season, but the most popular is “El Gordo”, which translates to “the fat one” because of the big prize.
We usually start buying these lotteries as early as November, although I know some places sell them earlier. They cost about 20 euros, so we sometimes buy them with another family member, friend or colleague. Everyone puts money towards the lottery, and if we’re lucky enough to win, we share the prize.
The prizes are announced on TV on the morning of the 22nd of December. Watching the lottery draw is exciting.
If you’re wondering if you can participate, the answer is yes! You don’t need to be a resident.
Nochebuena
Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) is an important date in Spain. I can even confirm that we Spaniards celebrate Christmas Eve more than Christmas Day. It’s a special night when we gather with families and have a feast.
Ham and cheese are two things that go together at every table; then you can expect turkey or other meat and dessert, followed by turrones (Spanish nougats).
We have dinner, watch TV, sing Christmas songs and spend a cosy night with our loved ones.
If you’re spending Christmas Eve in Marbella, you can do it by eating out at a nice restaurant. There are many nice restaurants like The Farm and Lobito de Mar that offer delicious menus.
Día de Navidad
As happens in many other countries, we open Santa Claus presents on Christmas Day. However, Santa wasn’t initially part of our traditions and celebrations in Spain.
We used to only get presents from the Three Kings on the 6th of January, but nowadays, most children receive presents from Santa too.
Still, there’s a difference between the presents you receive from both. Santa usually brings smaller gifts than the three kings.
Besides opening the presents in the morning, we have a Christmas meal for lunch and chill with family.
During this day, you won’t see many businesses open in Marbella. However, some families like going for a walk on the beach promenade.
Nochevieja
New Year’s Eve is my favourite because it’s a more lively evening, and everyone is excited about the new year.
I’ve always celebrated it with my family at home, but there are others who prefer to go somewhere for New Year’s Eve.
Most of my friends and people I know have a big dinner with family, eat the twelve grapes at midnight to bring luck, and then go to a nightclub to dance all night long until the early morning. Some will end up having churros before heading home.
If you’re spending Nochevieja in Marbella, you can do it in a glamorous hotel like Anantara or Puente Romano. Alternatively, go to a restaurant and then head to Plaza de los Naranjos to eat the grapes and welcome the new year.
According to tradition, you must eat one grape per chime. If you manage to eat the 12 grapes, you’ll have a year full of luck, joy and prosperity.
Año Nuevo
New Year’s Day is a very laid-back day because most people stayed up until late the previous night.
Some families like mine gather to have lunch together, consisting of leftovers from NYE, because we made too much food, but it never goes to waste.
Similarly to Christmas Day, many businesses don’t open, so your best option is a leisurely stroll on the promenade.
Reyes Magos
I mentioned the Three Kings parade before, so what happens on the 6th of January?
Kids and adults open presents from the three kings as soon as they wake up and have breakfast, which is usually the Roscón de Reyes. The latter is a cake that looks like a giant doughnut, generally filled with cream and topped with candied fruits.
When you eat it, you must be careful because there are two hidden objects: a bean and a small figurine, and both have a meaning. If you get the figurine, you’ll get luck throughout the year, but if you get the bean, you’ll need to pay for next year’s three-king’s cake.
You’ll see many families in the playgrounds letting the kids play with their new toys. Others will simply enjoy playing at home.
Frequently asked questions about Christmas in Marbella
Is Marbella nice at Christmas?
Yes, Marbella is one of the best places to celebrate Christmas in Costa del Sol.
What do I wear in Marbella in December?
With an average maximum temperature of 17 degrees Celsius, you can wear light long-sleeve clothes or a T-shirt and jacket during the day. However, it gets cold during the evening (9 degrees), so you might want to take a jumper or coat.
What are the best hotels to celebrate Christmas in Marbella?
The best hotels to celebrate Christmas in Marbella are Anantara Villa Padierna Palace Benahavís Marbella Resort, and Puente Romano Beach Resort.
Conclusion about Christmas in Marbella
If you always go for a sunny and mild Christmas, you’ll love Marbella!
It might not give you the winter wonderland vibes, but there are plenty of fantastic Christmas-related activities and traditions for all ages.
Do you have any questions about Marbella at Christmas? Let me know in the comments below, and if you’d like more helpful guides about Marbella, check out my dedicated page about Marbella.
Enjoy the holiday season!
Cristina xx
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Top things to check before visiting Marbella and Costa del Sol
- Check out cheap flights to Malaga Costa del Sol Airport here.
- Have a look at this Malaga food guide to indulge yourself in eating the best typical food in the area.
- Are you looking for the best accommodation in Marbella? Check out this guide to discover amazing hotels in Marbella.
- Rent a car to travel with ease around Marbella and the Costa del Sol.
- Book travel insurance for your trip. It’s a must for any holiday.
