Again lots of music, Christmas markets and Christmas lights for this beautiful month full of illusion. And in Malaga, with radiant sunshine and excellent temperatures!
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Malaga in December
December in Malaga is a special month for many reasons.
While in the rest of Europe the temperatures are freezing, this last month of the year on the Costa del Sol tends to be especially mild.
We enjoy very good temperatures that allow us to wear short sleeves at midday. In fact, it is the best month in terms of temperatures in our non-existent winter.
These temperatures are ideal to be out in the street even after sunset, stroll around and enjoy the magnificent Christmas lights in Malaga, have some churros with hot chocolate, eat some roasted chestnuts, and so on.
Here are some of the many activities and events during this month, enjoy!
Candelight Concerts Malaga
At the Maria Cristina Concert Hall, a 15th century Franciscan monastery located in the heart of Malaga , with exceptional acoustics and unique beauty.
Recently, more and more unique venues in Malaga have joined this experience, such as the Carmen Thyssen Museum and now also the Gran Hotel Miramar.
We can personally recommend this experience of classic concerts and tributes by the light of hundreds of candles.
December Programme
- Tribute to Queen four hands, at Sala María Cristina. 1 December, at 5:45 pm and 7:45 pm.
- Tribute to Coldplay at Gran Hotel Miramar. 10 December, at 7 pm and 9 pm.
- The Nutkracker at Sala María Cristina. 22 December, at 5:45 pm and 7:45 pm.
- Christmas Classics String quartet at Museum Carmen Thyssen. 29 December, at 8:30 pm and 10:15 pm.
- Tickets at the official website of Feverup.
- Where: Sala de Conciertos María Cristina, Museo Carmen Thyssen and Gran Hotel Miramar, Málaga
Candelight Concerts Marbella
- Christmas Soundtracks at the Anantara Villa Padierna Palace, String quartet
- When: 22 December, at 5 pm, 7 pm and 9 pm
- Where: Hotel Anantara Villa Padierna Palace, Marbella
- Tickets at the official website of Feverup.
- How to get there
Symphonic Tribute Harry Potter
Music from the Harry Potter soundtracks performed by the Symphony Orchestra. If you love the Harry Potter Universe, hurry up, tickets are sold out fast!
- Tickets
- When: 3 December, at 5 pm and 7:30 pm and 9:45 pm.
- Where: Palacio de Ferias y Congresos de Málaga
- How to get there
Massimo Giordano, “The sound of Christmas”, Estepona
Massimo Giordano, one of the best tenors in the world, comes to Estepona to present his programme “The Sound of Christmas” at the Teatro Auditorio Felipe VI.
The Italian tenor will sing the most beautiful arias, melodies and Christmas songs, accompanied by piano and a soprano.
- Tickets
- When: 15 December, 8 pm
- Where: Teatro Auditorio Felipe VI, Estepona
- How to get there
“Christmas at Cervantes and Echeragay” Concerts, Malaga
The two great historic theatres in the old town of Malaga have prepared a wide range of concerts, musicals etc. during the festive period from December until Epiphany.
- 7 and 8 December: J. Brahms, F. Schubert
- 14 and 15 December: Christmas F. Mendelssohn
- 22 December: Mozartland
- 22 December: The New Orleans Gospel Stars
- 29 December: The Nutkracker
- Further Information & Tickets
Metallica & Symphony Marbella
Enjoy Metallica songs performed by Scream Inc. accompanied by a symphony orchestra.
The band will perform symphonic versions of the songs immortalised on the 1999 S&M album.
SCREAM INC. is known as one of the best Metallica tribute bands in the world.
- Tickets
- When: 2 December at 8 pm
- Where: Palacio de Congresos y Exposiciones Adolfo Suarez, Marbella
- How to get there
Christmas evening at Lauro Golf
Golf Club Lauro Golf in Alhaurín de la Torre celebrates a Christmas evening with Christmas lights, Christmas tree, Christmas music by The Phoenix Singers singing live, a variety of stalls and hot food and drinks.
- When: 2 December at 7 pm.
- Where: Lauro Golf, Alhaurín de la Torre
- How to get there
Festival Bach – Marbella 2023/24
Cycles of Sol Mayor Organ Concerts in the Encarnación Church in Marbella, with monthly concerts until June 2024.
- Donations are requested to cover expenses.
- When: 10 December, 5 pm: Jesús Sampedro – Professor Organ Conservatorio Superior de Sevilla and Arturo Garralón (Tenor)
- How to get there
Saint Lucia Day Marbella
The Swedish school in Marbella celebrates St. Lucia’s Day with mulled wine and gingerbread tasting.
- When: 13 December at 6.30 pm.
- Where: Plaza de la Iglesia de la Encarnación, Marbella
- How to get there
Gastrononic Fair Taste of Malaga
The great gastronomic event returns to Paseo del Parque in Malaga, with the participation of a hundred local producers.
Enjoy tasting and buying the best breads, sausages, wines, potatoes, honeys, olive oils, chocolates, Christmas pastries, cheeses and jams, among many others.
- The Sabor a Málaga Fair takes place every year during the December long weekend, which this year will be from 6 to 10 December.
- How to get there
Queen Tribute Concert Estepona
Recalling the greatest moments in Queen’s history, such as Live Aid, Montreal, Live at Wembley, Queen Forever are the spitting image of Mercury and his band on stage, since their formation in 2015, taking care of the smallest detail in costumes, staging and musical arrangements.
- Tickets
- When: 2 December at 8 pm.
- Where: Teatro Auditorio Felipe VI, Estepona
- How to get there
Ballet Sleeping Beauty Estepona
The International Ballet Company, an acclaimed company made up of soloists from Moldova, Ukraine and Italy among other countries, invites us, as part of its Winter Tour 2023, to enjoy one of the most emblematic works of the classical ballet repertoire, “Sleeping Beauty”.
- Tickets
- When: 8 December at 8 pm.
- Where: Teatro Auditorio Felipe VI, Estepona
- How to get there
Torremolinos Lighting switch-on & activities in December
- The lighting of the Christmas lights in Torremolinos this year takes place on the 1st of December with musical performances in the Plaza Costa del Sol. Prior to this there will be an inaugural parade from Plaza San Miguel to Plaza Costa del Sol and a performance by the Torremolinos Dance Centre.
- On the same day there will also be a zambombá in Avenida Palma de Mallorca, the inauguration of the Christmas Village and the craft market at Plaza de la Nogalera.
- The Park Parque de la Batería will host a Christmas concert ‘The Nutcracker’ on 9 December.
- On 16th December there will be a Living Nativity Scene in the Botanical Garden Molino de Inca from 11 am to 2 pm. And in the Plaza Federico García Lorca at 12 midday there will be the annual solidarity Toy Run by Komando Amimoto.
- As a great novelty this year, the Christmas Park will be installed at the Fairgrounds from December 22nd to January 7th.
- On the 24th of December in Plaza Costa del Sol there will be a Flash Mob in charge of the classical dance academy of Carmen Crespo. In the evening there will be a zambombá at Plaza San Miguel.
- How to get to Plaza Costa del Sol
Christmas lights switch on in Marbella
Marbella will switch on its Christmas lights on Friday 1 December. The lighting will be similar to that of 2022, with the musical spectacle of the “angel trumpeters” at Plaza de los Naranjos.
Christmas activities in Miramar Fuengirola
Under the slogan “Christmas Station”, the Fuengirola shopping centre will be transformed into an old train station that will transport visitors to a world full of fantasy.
The activities will take place until 5 January 2024.
Some of the activities
Christmas Village until 24th December and visit to Father Christmas.
Christmas Theatre during the weekends and every day from the beginning of the Christmas holidays there will be different plays.
Children’s workshops
360º photo point. Visitors will be able to take fun 360º themed photos with lots of snow.
- For more information and opening times, visit the Miramar Website or the centre’s official App.
- How to get there
Christmas Market Hotel Kempinski Estepona
On Saturday 2 December the traditional Christmas market and Christmas tree lighting will take place at the Kempinski Hotel from 1 pm until 8 pm.
This year, the Christmas Market is expanding and adding new and fun things for the whole family: Stalls with gastronomic delicacies, such as local honey, sweets, handmade chocolates, roasted coffee and of course wines and olive oils to handicrafts, beautiful jewellery and Christmas gifts.
This year will also see an increased children’s area, with more stalls, biscuit decorating, sand art and a bouncy castle, from a visit from Father Christmas.
The market will be open from 1 pm until 8 pm, with choirs singing at different times of the day. Father Christmas will be there from 2 pm until late.
Open to the public. Recommended parking areas are Laguna Village, pedestrian access along the promenade, or parking on Mare Nostrum street, where there is plenty of public parking, as parking in the hotel grounds can become congested in the early afternoon.
- When: 2 December, from 1 pm to 8 pm
- Where: Hotel Kempinski Estepona
- How to get there
Christmas Programme Estepona
1 December, 7 pm Switch on of the Christmas lights.
2 December, 11 am to 5 pm Christmas Fair organised by The Anglican Church, American Club of Estepona ACE. C/ San Roque, 69
6 December, at 12 noon St. Nicholas arrives at the Fishing Port
From 11 to 29 December Charity Christmas Market at the Casa hermandad, Calle Veracruz
13 December at 5 pm Sweet Christmas Encounter with Sabor a Málaga and Pastorals in Plaza Antonia Guerrero.
In addition, during this month a large number of concerts and performances take place in Estepona which you can find in our December Calendar of Events.
Cheese Fair Popi Estepona
The annual gastronomic event at this time of year is almost a tradition in Estepona.
From 14th to 17th December a new edition takes place for lovers of local gastronomy, with stands with cheeses, nuts, wines, oil and pâté.
- When: from 14 to 17 December, from 11 am to 9 pm.
- Where: Calle Terraza Estepona
- How to get there
Charity bazaar Marbella
The Caritas Christmas Bazaar is one of the most important charity events held in Marbella. This year it takes place from the 30th of November to the 3rd of December in the Palacio de Congresos.
There will be numerous stalls with Christmas items, jewellery, clothes, accessories, decoration, etc., as well as several restaurants, raffles and entertainment area.
- When: from 30 November to 3 December, from 11 am to 10 pm.
- Where: Palacio de Congresos, Marbella
- How to get there
Game Party Fuengirola
Video game lovers will have an appointment in Fuengirola on the 2nd and 3rd of December at the Casa de la Cultura with virtual reality, video games, a motor area with driving simulators, arcade games, as well as exhibitions and video game programming workshops.
There will be stands for Play Station 5, Play Station 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox, as well as a gamers’ area, and an area dedicated to motor games with two sets of cars with steering wheel, pedals and seats, as well as virtual reality and arcade games.
Access is free of charge.
- Further information at the Event website
- When: 2 and 3 December, Saturday from 11 am to 10 pm and Sunday from 11 am to 9 pm.
- Where: Casa de la Cultura Fuengirola
- How to get there
Dramatised night-visits at the Automobile Museum
Historia Viva Málaga has set up dramatized visits at night to the Automobile and Fashion Museum in Málaga. Visitors can learn about the history of historic cars through relevant characters.
Among these characters are Agent 007, who is renewing his licence to kill, or Amelia Earhart, the first woman aviator to cross the Atlantic, Coco Chanel or Salvador Dalí.
During a tour lasting an hour and a half, these characters will bring the public closer to the art and fashion of several centuries.
- Tickets at the Website or by contacting via telephone or WhatsApp at 607 285 570, indicating the activity and day chosen, a full name, number of tickets and a contact telephone number.
- When: The first Friday of every month (as long as the museum’s calendar of events allows) and in two sessions: 7.30 pm and 9.30 pm.
- Where: Automobile and Fashion Museum in Malaga
- How to get there
Imagine Theatre Soho Málaga
In the central Soho Theatre in Malaga we will be able to enjoy a circus play with acrobatics and humour. A family show that talks about imagination, dreams, family and time.
Cirque des Sens is an international contemporary circus company that combines the strength of the performers and acrobats with a multidisciplinary concept with the aim of creating innovative shows, mixing new technologies with the energy of traditional circus-theatre to transport the spectator to a magical universe.
Circus, theatre and dance merge to create highly emotional, highly visual works for all audiences.
- When: 6 December 2023 to 7 January 2024. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 7:30 pm. Fridays and Saturdays 5:30 pm and 8:30 pm. Sundays 6 pm.
- Further Information & Tickets
- How to get there
Christmas at the Museum Carmen Thyssen Málaga
The Museum Carmen Thyssen in the old town of Malaga has prepared the whole month of December and until 7 January with free activities and concerts. A Nativity scene is also on display in the courtyard.
Thursday 7 December (7.30 pm): Christmas Choir “Pan con aceite” (Bread with oil).
Wednesday 13 December (7.30 pm): Christmas Choir “Discantus”.
Friday 15 December (7.30 pm): Christmas Choir “Voces para el recuerdo”.
Tuesday 19 December (7.30 pm): Christmas Choir “Malagueña Sinfónica”.
Wednesday, 20 December (7.30 pm): CAF
Thursday 21 December (7.30 pm): Christmas Choir “Voces para el recuerdo”.
A Christmas carol in the English Cemetery of Malaga
The historic Protestant cemetery of Malaga has also prepared activities during the Christmas season based on Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.
From 1 December to 4 January, you can enjoy this wonderful 19th century garden of the English Cemetery with spectacular illumination.
Come for hot chocolate and mulled wine, listen to carols from the period, meet the miserly Mr Scrooge and the ghosts of Christmas. Or buy a present at the Christmas market.
- Closed on 15, 24, 25 and 31 December and 1 January. Admission 5€.
- How to get there
Artisan Market La Merced
A new edition of this popular craft market in the heart of Malaga takes place on the 3rd of December from 11am to 7pm.
It’s the ideal occasion to pick up some original gifts, enjoy a stroll and then have a drink in one of the many bars located around the Plaza de la Merced.
- When: 3 December from 11 am to 7 pm
- Where: Plaza de la Merced Málaga
- How to get there
Christmas Markets & Activities in Malaga
If you are in Malaga and the Costa del Sol at this time of year, you will surely also love the Christmas markets that take place in the province.
- Find them in our special edition Christmas Markets Malaga 2023.
Christmas Garden in the Botanical Garden of La Concepción
We are very pleased that this year the Christmas Garden back.
From 1 December to 7 January we can enjoy this beautiful night-time spectacle where the Botanical Garden of La Concepcion is transformed into an enchanted forest of lights and sounds.
Millions of points of light will illuminate a circular path approximately 2.2 kilometres long and transform one of the most beautiful and important tropical gardens in Spain into a magical ocean of splendour.
We were there last year and are looking forward to seeing it this year. It will have a different theme, called Stela: The Journey of the Star of the East.
- We recommend you take a look at our article The Christmas Garden with all you need to know to plan your visit, first hand, don’t miss it!
- 24 and 31 December and 5 January closed.
- The event will be held from Monday to Sunday with daily tours, starting at 6:30 pm and the last one at 9:30 pm.
- The Christmas Garden will be open from 1 December to 7 January 2024 from 6:30 pm to 10:30 pm.
- Tickets can be purchased exclusively through the official Website.
- How to get there
Public transport:
Bus: 2, 15 minutes’ walk
Malaga Tour: 91, from the Automobile Museum and Train and Bus Station
New Year Chimes in Malaga
As is traditional, thousands of locals and visitors gather each New Year’s Eve at Plaza de la Constitucion in Malaga to bid the year goodbye to the sound of the bells. The centre of the city, lit with Christmas motifs, is one of the most beautiful places to say goodbye to 2023 and welcome 2024.
After the bells, attendees can enjoy live music and dance until dawn. The Night owls will be able to see the first dawn of the year while they take a typical chocolate with churros.
- When: 31 December
- Where: Plaza de la Constitución
- How to get there
Popular festivals in Malaga in December
Purple carrot festival, Cuevas Bajas
This town has specialized in growing a rather peculiar purple carrot. Every first Sunday of December it pays homage to this vegetable, together with a tasting of migas.
There is also a market with local products, children’s activities and live music.
- When: 3 December 2023
- Where: Cuevas Bajas
- How to get there
Celebration Virgen de los Rondeles, Casarabonela
In this village in Sierra de las Nieves takes place this centuries-old tradition at night, starting at 10 pm.
On December 12, on the eve of Saint Lucia, Casarabonela celebrates the Fiesta de los Rondeles.
It is an emotional journey through the town by the light of homemade torches, accompanied by Christmas carols from the pastorals.
The tour ends at dawn, with tastings of tostones with oil, fritters and hot chocolate.
- When: 12 December, from 10 pm onwards
- Where: Casarabonela
- How to get there
The weather in Malaga in December
December in Malaga is the winter month par excellence on the Costa del Sol. It is generally a month with very little rain and very stable and sunny weather.
The mornings and evenings are cool but mild and are ideal for strolling on the sea promenades, drinking coffee in the sun on the terraces, enjoying spectacular walks at sunset and not least the beautiful Christmas illumination of the municipalities, eating chestnuts or churros and hot chocolate.
Morning lows are around 10ºC and daytime highs can be well into the 20ºC range.
Many locals are in the habit of bathing all year round, although the water is cold (around 17ºC). This month is also ideal for practising a large number of outdoor sports, discovering white villages and the wonderful nature we have.
December in Malaga is undoubtedly our favourite winter month!
What clothes to bring to Malaga in December?
- It’s best to dress like an onion, especially if you’re going to be out all day
- Thick jacket or mackintosh and a thick jumper for the evenings
- Low shoes or even sandals if you like
- Long-sleeved and short-sleeved T-shirts
- Sunglasses
Spending the winter on the Costa del Sol
Are you toying with the idea of escaping the cold for a season?
Here we have prepared lots and lots of good reasons to spend the winter in Malaga!
Poll: Will you be coming to Malaga this Christmas?
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Christmas Activities & Christmas Markets Malaga 2023/2024;)
Christmas Garden La Concepción Málaga 2023;)
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