Christmas celebrations in Spain
Dolan Property
Your trusted Marbella real estate agent and property specialist on the Golden Mile.
19th December 2022
By Michael Dolan
Christmas, and the Holiday season in Marbella
Miles of stunning sandy beaches, mouth-watering food, an eclectic nightlife, and an average of 325 days a year of sunshine. It is easy to see why the Costa del Sol, is a long-running beloved holiday destination of the British and northern Europeans.
Scorching temperatures in the summer months, a more moderate climate in spring and autumn, then winter brings with it cooler nights, but still, plenty of glorious sunny days, with beautiful cloudless skies. Year round it is the perfect place to visit.
Christmas and the Holiday season is no exception. All the municipalities decorate their streets. The trees are lit up, churches display their nativity scenes, Christmas markets sell local produce, the air rings with the sound of heavenly carol concerts, and you can find roasted chestnuts for sale from street vendors. It is the ideal place for a seasonal trip.
Christmas celebrations in Spain
The big celebrations in Spain happen on Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve, and the festival of the Three Kings.
Christmas Eve, 24th December, is the night the Spanish celebrate with their families. Restaurants (if they are open) fill up quickly, so book early to avoid disappointment, and whole families come together to eat, drink and dance. This is often followed by a trip to midnight mass. Christmas Day is again spent with the family. In Marbella every year on the evening of the 25th, Santa arrives into the port, by boat, before touring the town.
One of the Spanish customs on New Year’s Eve, is called "the twelve grapes of luck,"(las doce uvas de la suerte). The idea is to eat 12 grapes at midnight, one with each clock chime. It is supposed to bring good luck for the year ahead. In many towns you will find locals gathered in the town square, to eat their grapes and watch the firework displays, which is often followed by music and dancing into the small hours.
The festival of the Three Kings, on the 6th of January, is in the Spanish culture, generally considered to be Christmas day. A very important holiday that concludes the festive season. This is the day that the “Three Kings” visited the baby Jesus and presented him with their gifts: “Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh”. In line with that, it is the day that many Spanish children will receive their presents.
On the eve of the Three Kings (the 5th), people line the streets to see the parades, which happen in most towns, and even some of the villages. These cavalcades are a procession of the “Kings” arriving, followed by a variety of decorated, themed floats. As the parade passes handfuls of confectionaries are thrown out into the crowd.
Malaga Christmas lights
With Malaga only a 45-minute drive from Marbella, it is easy, and very popular, to take a trip into the districts capital city to see the world-renowned Christmas lights, and the fabulous displays.
Almost every village and town on the Costa del Sol decorates its streets with lights at Christmas, but hands-down the best light show in Andalucia, must be the Malaga lights. Displayed from approximately the 26th of November through to the 5th of January, from 6.30pm until midnight on weekdays, and until 2am on weekends and holidays.
Thousands of people make their way to Málaga just to see the Christmas lights, and the daily light and sound show, and it is well worth a visit.
Dolan Property - Christmas opening times
2022 has been an exceptional year for property sales in Marbella. We would like to take this opportunity to thank you, for all your business throughout the past 12 months, and we look forward to speaking with you in 2023.
Our opening times for the festive period are as follows:
Fri 23rd December: Normal business hours
Sat 24th December - Mon 2nd January: Office closed
Tues 3rd January - Thurs 5th January: Normal business hours
Fri 6th January: Closed for Three Kings
Mon 9th January: Normal business hours
Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Year, from all the team at Dolan Property.
Property Sales in Marbella
Marbella’s mix of the prestigious, the picturesque, and the more tranquil urbanisations and developments are what attracts such a variety of different people. If what you are looking for is a relaxed way of life with plenty of sunshine, close to a bustling metropolis with lots to do, the Costa del Sol is, without a doubt, the place to buy a property in Spain.
We understand that choosing a new home is a big step, and for those of you buying or selling a property in a foreign country, it can be very stressful. Our team of real estate experts provide a full ‘hands on’ service. We work in partnership with you (our client), your lawyer and any other professional advisers or consultants. Dolan Property is here to help you through the whole process, every step of the way.
We are based in the heart of Marbella’s Golden Mile and specialise in high quality, desirable properties in prime residential locations; Nagüeles, Sierra Blanca, Cascada de Camoján, East and West Marbella, Istan Road, Nueva Andalucia, and the new Golden Mile in Estepona.
Dolan Property specialists are committed to the highest levels of business and ethical standards, and we are proud members of the Leading Property Agents of Spain (LPA).
