Malaga’s mild climate allows you to stroll through its streets after sunset, and enjoy the Christmas lights in the historic centre. The Christmas lights in the central Larios street in Malaga are some of the most beautiful in Europe.
Everything you need to know about their inauguration, the daily sound and light shows, parallel activities and tips in this blog!
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Inauguration of the Christmas Lights in Larios Street
On 28 November, Malaga once again becomes a Christmas show of light, colour and music for 40 nights in its central streets.
This friday evening will take place the grand opening party of the Christmas lights in Larios Street.
We are looking forward what surprise will await us this year, surely it will be spectacular!
The inauguration will take place on Friday, 28 November at 6:30 pm. From then on, there will be light and sound shows with Christmas songs every day until 5 January.
Regarding the light show in Calle Larios there will be three shows every day, at 6.30 pm, 8:30 pm and 10 pm, except on 24 and 31 December.
The lights will be switched on between 6:30 pm and 00 am, on weekends and the eve of public holidays until 2 am. On the 24th and 31st they will be on until 6 am.
In total, more than 80 streets, squares and roundabouts will be decorated with Christmas lights throughout the centre of Malaga.
Lighting in Calle Larios
In the photo, you can see this year’s new display. The new Christmas lights, which will be switched on Friday, November 28, are titled “Nativity of Light.”
They consist of several decorated illuminated medallions and stars, mounted on the same columns as in previous years. The medallions depict scenes from the birth of Jesus.
As every year, there are all sorts of opinions about the lighting design on Larios Street. Compared to previous years, this year’s decorations seem quite understated and classic. What do you think?
Sound and light show in Larios Street
Every day except 24th and 31st December there will be 3 sound and light shows in Calle Larios. The shows will take place at 6.30 pm, 8 pm and 10 pm.
Parallel activities in the centre of Malaga
In addition to the illumination and shows in Calle Larios, there will also be more activities. Traditional verdiales music will take centre stage for several days in December, with live performances in the main streets of the city.
Video Mapping at the Cathedral
A video mapping projection will be displayed on the walls of the Cathedral. This year’s projection is titled ‘The Dream Fisherman’ and pays tribute to the cenacheros (street fish vendors) of Malaga.
Lights in the Old Town
More than 500 streets are decorated throughout the city, 86 of which are in the Old Town.
In addition to Calle Larios, other areas will be highlighted: Paseo del Parque will be adorned with 14 arches and 36 illuminated trees, and Plaza de la Marina will feature a 7-meter-tall fir tree, 7 arches, and 6 illuminated trees. Meanwhile, on Alameda Principal, the ancient ficus trees will shine in all their illuminated glory.
In Calle San Juan we can enjoy three different luminous spaces. One of them, “Winter Whisper,” features 100 linear metres of light garlands snaking between the balconies, and lampshades made of moss and lace fabric. The second area transforms into a “Baroque Dream,” with nine crystal chandeliers. And the third, titled “Victorian Nostalgia,” boasts 15 Victorian-style wire lamps, handcrafted and decorated, along with garlands.
The eleven streets adjoining Calle Larios will be illuminated with chandeliers, as well as other Christmas elements such as illuminated trees and other surprises.
The City Hall façade will feature continuous projections of Christmas decorations, including stars, baubles, and various traditional icons and motifs. It will be inaugurated on November 29th, at the same time as the Christmas lights.
Enjoy this “enchanted” walk through the historic centre of Malaga!
Practical tips for enjoying the lights
Whether you’re going downtown for the lights opening or any other evening, get ready for a real crowd of people.
Especially at the inauguration the place is packed (last year there were some 30,000 people in Larios Street). But also on Friday and Saturday evenings the streets, cafés and bars are full and it can be very overwhelming.
As personal advice, don´t bring baby strollers to the opening because you literally can’t move. And also please leave your dog at home, you’ll do it a favour!
If you are not fond of crowds, but you’d like to see the light show, we recommend to wait for the last show.
And if you simply want to enjoy the many beautiful lights without further ado, we recommend a stroll through the nocturnal streets from 10 pm when the shops are closed.
Enjoy a delicious dinner or Tapas in one of the many bars in the centre!
How to get to the centre?
By public transport
Public transport is especially interesting if you come from those municipalities along the Costa del Sol that have a connection with Malaga through the suburban train Cercanias C1 (Fuengirola, Benalmadena, Torremolinos).
The last stop of the Cercanias C1 (Malaga Centro Alameda) is 600 m from Calle Larios. And you don’t have any stress with traffic jams, looking for parking etc. You only have to bear in mind that the last train to Fuengirola leaves from Malaga Centro Alameda at 11:30 pm.
By car
If you prefer to go by car or come from farther away: An interesting option may also be to park in the car park of the Plaza Mayor shopping centre and take the Cercanias C1 from there.
If you decide to travel to the centre of Malaga by car: It would be best to park in one of the central car parks.
We hope you enjoy your Christmas walk in a beautiful and illuminated Malaga!
Christmas lights switch-on in the province 2025
It is not only in the capital of the province that we can enjoy the Christmas lights. Although it is true that there is only one Calle Larios, nevertheless: In other coastal municipalities the Christmas lights are no less beautiful.
As in Malaga, many cities take advantage of Black Friday at the end of November to inaugurate their Christmas lights, while others postpone it to the beginning of December.
You can find the dates for this year and more information in our November events calendar and December events calendar.
Other lighting events in Malaga
If you love Christmas lights, this year Málaga also offers a beautiful alternative to the typical crowds in the historic centre.
Unlike the Christmas lights in the city’s streets and squares, this event isn’t free.
The Christmas Graden is back for it´s fifth edition at the Botanical Garden of La Concepción.
Christmas Garden
Located in the wonderful historic botanical garden La Concepción, a concept has been imported for this Christmas season that has already worked with great success in other European cities:
Turning a natural area into an enchanted Christmas forest where you can stroll and let yourself be immersed in the magic created by lights, sounds and nature.
Very different from the bustling streets of the city centre, The Christmas Garden takes you on an immersive experience along a circular route of just over 2 kilometres through some of the most beautiful corners of the botanical garden.
- In our article Christmas Garden 2025 you will find all the information you need to know, opening hours, how to get there and lots of practical tips!
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