Christmas is one of the most special times in Málaga. Visiting the city these days will lead you to experience moments that will remain etched in your memory. That's why you must know everything that this time of year has to offer in the capital so that you don't miss a thing and make these days the most special of the year.

The lights go up, and Christmas begins

If Christmas traditionally begins with the Lottery draw, in Málaga it begins with the switching on of the Christmas lights. This year, the date chosen for the big event is Saturday 26 November. So, this year they will be switched on from 6:30 p.m. to 12 a.m. (weekends until 2 a.m. and 24th and 31st until 6 a.m.)

A total of 16 'Heavenly Angels' take over from the 'Christmas Forest'. Four-metre-high angels will welcome locals and visitors alike, combining effervescent effects, warm whites and pure white full flashes recreating trails that melt as they pass by. They are adorned with glittering dichroic leaves so that they can also be seen during the day.

The music played this year in the light show will be 'Carol of the Bells’ (Libera Children Choir) and 'Jingle Bells' (Herd de lord). There will be three shows each day (except 24 and 31 December), at 7:00 p.m., 8:30 p.m.  and 10 p.m.

Beyond Calle Larios

In addition to the light show in Calle Larios, this year the Palmeral de las Sorpresas, Plaza de la Marina, Muelle Uno and Gibralfaro will take centre stage, becoming points where a drone light show can be seen. The show will depict Christmas images using 120 drones in unison, which will be located in the area of the Cruise Terminal. This show will premiere on 3 December and will be repeated on 4, 6, 7 and 9 December at 8:30 p.m. There will also be a performance on the 23rd at 7:30 p.m.

Video mapping in the Catedral

The façade of Málaga Cathedral's Mocha tower, on the south side, will once again be the protagonist of Christmas in the city, because a video mapping or architectural projection will be projected on it using the latest technology in laser projection. Thus, infographics in 2 and 3 dimensions have been created for the show. The shows will be at 7:00 p.m., 8:30 p.m. and 10 p.m. from 27 December to 4 January, except on 24 and 31 December. The show lasts between 8 and 10 minutes.

These projections will feature nods to the smells and flavours of Málaga, and a soundtrack full of jingle bells, reindeer, tambourines and bells.

On other streets of the city

The streets San Juan, Molina Lario and eleven cross streets of Calle Larios (Sancha de Lara, Don Juan Díaz, Bolsa, Stranchan, Moreno Monroy, Martínez, Alarcón Luján, Manuel Pérez Bryan, Álvarez Fonseca, Marín García and Liborio García) will have a special decoration based on chandeliers. Specifically, there will be 76 three-dimensional chandeliers made up of four faces linked by micro-flash cords.

Along Calle San Juan there will be three different spaces that will recreate a 'Magic Cave', a 'Wicker Sky' and a 'Hall of Spiders' in the form of a light performance.

The Botanical Lights

From 27 November to 8 January, the Botanical-Historical Garden La Concepción in Málaga will once again host the event 'The Botanical Lights', this year with 'Stela', a new light trail that will allow visitors to accompany the Three Wise Men on their magical and surprising journey with the Star of the Orient.

Millions of points of light will illuminate a renovated route over 2.2 kilometres long where more than 20 light installations will transport visitors to such historic places as Persia, Babylon and Bethlehem. At nightfall, the garden will present itself to visitors in a way it has never experienced before.

The show will take place between 6 p.m and 11 p.m., except on 24 and 31 December 2022 and 5 January 2023, when it will be closed.

Christmas in the Cervantes and Echegaray theatres and Soho CaixaBank

The Cervantes Theatre and the Echegaray Theatre present a very special programme for the Christmas season. The Málaga Philharmonic Orchestra, the International Classical Ballet, a zambombá, Rozalén, the ballet Swan Lake and the Extraordinary New Year's Concert form part of the Christmas programme.

For the little ones, the Echegaray Theatre will be the stage for different shows for different ages.

You can consult the complete programme for these dates here

For its part, the Soho Caixabank Theatre is staging Godspell The Musical, a play produced by Emilio Aragón and Antonio Banderas, the theatre and Estudio Caribe, originally conceived and directed by John-Michael Tebelak and with music and new lyrics by Stephen Schwartz, until 8 January. It is a Tony-nominated musical theatre classic from the 1970s, now transported to 2022.

Museums for Christmas

Christmas takes on a new dimension in Málaga's different museums. Free concerts, children's activities, special nativity scenes and workshops are just some of the experiences that await you at the city's cultural venues over the Christmas period. Keep an eye on the museums' websites, which you can consult on our website and our calendar of events.

Special markets

The street markets are one of the most important events in Málaga at Christmas time. One of them is the Muelle Uno Christmas market, one of the biggest and most famous in the city. Focused on families and children, there are different activities for everyone to enjoy.

This open space hosts Christmas stalls with Christmas products, clothes, accessories, handicrafts, local sausages and food, among others.

Stay tuned to their social networks to make sure you don't miss anything.

The other market par excellence at Christmas in Málaga is the one in Paseo del Parque. Located in this central area of the city, strolling around it and browsing the dozens of stalls that are set up there is a must for the visitor.

Crafts, books, figurines and Christmas decorations, food stalls, clothes and other surprises await you here.

In addition, on Saturday 10 December, Alcazabilla Street will host the 13th United Against Cancer Solidarity Market, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Nativity Scenes Route

Nativity scenes are part of the Christmas tradition in our country and in Málaga, they take on special importance. Up to thirty nativity scenes are on display to the public throughout the city. The Municipal Nativity Scene, which can be seen in the Patio del Ayuntamiento, leads the list of Nativity Scenes in Málaga. This recreation can be seen in the Patio del Ayuntamiento from 3 December to 6 January, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Keep an eye on our calendar to make sure you don't miss any of them this year.

In La Alameda

The Alameda of Málaga will also be the setting for various performances this year. On the 1st of December, at 7:30 p.m., it will be the turn of Virginia Gámez, with 'Turrón y cuenta nueva' (Nougat and a new account). At the same time on the 2nd, the Málaga Brass Band will perform and on the 3rd, also at the same time, it will be the turn of the Pasacalles La Carpa with 'Iluminando Estrellas' (Illuminating Stars).

Music is a must

There is no Christmas without music and in Málaga the traditions have been maintained over the years. This year the historic centre is hosting several zambombás that you can't miss. On Friday 9 December, at 7 p.m., Alejandro Estrada will be in the Plaza de Félix Sáenz. On Saturday 10, in the same place, it will be the turn of the Ballesteros Family. For their part, the Plaza de la Merced will be the setting, on Wednesday 21 December at 7 p.m., for the performance by the Alarcón Sisters. The zambombás will be brought to a close by the Ortigosa Brothers, who will perform on Thursday 22 December at 7 p.m. in Soho-Tomás Heredia Street.

And from zambombás to pastoral work in the centre. On 14 and 15 December it will be the turn of the Pastoral Isabel López Mayorga and on 20 and 21, of the Pastoral CC. Renfe. Both will perform in Calle San Juan, Plaza Félix Sáenz, Calle Nueva and Plaza de las Flores. On the other hand, Plaza Uncibay, Granada Street, Plaza del Carbón, Molina Lario and Plaza del Obispo will be the stage for the Pastoral Santa Cristina on the 16th and 22nd of December, from 6 p.m.to 8 p.m.

On 18 December, at 6 p.m., it will be the turn of the Pastorales de la Federación Malagueña de Peñas, who will perform in Alcazabilla Street, Plaza de la Merced and the Cervantes Theatre.

We continue to add performances with the concerts of the 'Music at Christmas' series, which will be held in the Plaza de la Constitución with the collaboration of the Fundación Musical de Málaga:

Tuesday 13th  December
6:45 p.m. Mediterráneo Group
8:15 p.m. Zambombá Rosi de Alva

Wednesday 14th December
6:45 p.m. Zambombá of Encarni Navarro
8:15 p.m. Aurora Guirado sings to Christmas

Thursday 15th December
6:45 p.m. Zambombá Blanca Trillo
8:15 p.m. Hermandad del Rocío Choir

Friday 16th December
6:45 p.m. Zambombá Familia Vargas
8:15 p.m. Son de Málaga Choir

Saturday 17th December
6:45 p.m. Zambombá Flamenca Antonio de Verónica
8:15 p.m. Málaga Tubas Group

Sunday 18th December
6:45 p.m. Enaguas Group
8:15 p.m. Zambombá Rocío Alva

Monday 19th December
6:45 p.m. María Lozano in Christmas
8:15 p.m. Zambombá Manuel de la Curra

Tuesday 20th December
6:45 p.m. Promúsica Orchestral Project
8:15 p.m. Pastoral Peña Tiro Pichón

Wednesday 21st December
6:45 p.m. Málaga Jazz School
8:15 p.m. Ad Libitum Choir and Martín Tenllado Conservatory Youth Choir

Thursday 22nd December
6:45 p.m. Navidad del Revés. La Pili Theatre
8:15 p.m. GYM Victory

Friday 23rd December
6:45 p.m. Gospel IT
8:15 p.m Cruz de Humilladero Band

Theatre at Christmas

On Thursday 22nd and Friday 23rd December, 'Events with History' brings you 'Andersen's Dramatised Storytelling,' with performances at 7 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

The meeting point is the Acera de la Marina (Statue of H.C. Andersen). Groups of 25 people (registration info@eventosconhistoria.com; phone 667428233 or Whatsapp 674022580.)

Verdiales Festival

Every 28th December, the fairgrounds of the Puerto de la Torre neighbourhood in Málaga host the Fiesta Mayor de Verdiales. This event brings together groups of Verdiales from all over the province to celebrate a special day of singing and dancing.

This event, declared an Asset of Cultural Interest in 2010, has been held for more than 50 years to promote the recovery and dissemination of this cultural heritage. This day commemorates the dates on which the pandas took the money collected during Easter to the hermitages to contribute to their upkeep.

The event will take place in the Andrés Jiménez Díaz Park Auditorium at 12 p.m.

But if you want to start warming up, on Saturday 11 December, in the Paseo del Parque, there will be the meeting 'Verdiales en Navidad,' from 1 p.m.

New Year's Eve Bells

On 31 December, the Plaza de la Constitución in Málaga welcomes all those who wish to celebrate the beginning of the New Year.

Cavalcade of the Three Wise Men

The little ones have their Big Children's Christmas Party in the Plaza Enrique García Herrera-Calle Camas on Saturday 17 December from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., with the musical 'Cantapelículas,' by the company Dani Cantos.

On the other hand, the Emissary and the Royal Postman of Their Majesties the Three Wise Men will be in the Plaza Enrique García Herrera-Calle Camas on Saturday 17 December. The Three Wise Men will be in the Plaza de la Constitución on 2, 3 and 4 January, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., to collect letters from the little ones.

The afternoon of 5th January is the most special Christmas afternoon for the little ones at home. Their Majesties the Three Wise Men from the East arrive in Málaga to preside over a parade that will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2023, after passing through the Cathedral.

Eleven floats and five parades will fill the streets of the city with joy, light and colour, and thousands of kilos of sweets will be handed out.

At 5:30 p.m., Their Majesties will arrive at the Town Hall and, at 6 p.m., the Cavalcade is scheduled to depart from Málaga Town Hall itself.

There will be an offering by Their Majesties and a living Epiphany by Events with History, on the steps of the S.I. Cathedral, as well as a concert by the Escolanía del Orfeón Universitario de Málaga, at the end of the parade.

The agenda will be updated periodically with new events. It is recommended to consult the organisers' website, as the programme may be altered.'

Share your #NavidadMalaga2022 on social networks.

During the Christmas holidays we encourage you to share your photo on social networks tagging the official profiles of Málaga Tourism with the hashtag #NavidadMálaga2022. We'd love to see your photos!