The 10 places to celebrate Christmas in Spain span giant illuminations, edible Christmas displays, life-size nativity scenes, and sweet‑tooth pilgrimages. The country is a Christmas stocking of unusual events and mouthwatering delicacies.
What is the best city in Spain to spend Christmas?
Spain does Christmas in all sorts of ways, so the “best” spot depends on your mood. You'll find citywide lights, festive markets, ice rinks and late‑night sparkle. For something cosier, check out a beautiful live nativity, or tuck into turrón at a Christmas sweet fair.
Vigo
Vigo goes all‑out each winter, with kilometres of LEDs, fairground rides and a city centre that feels like a theme park after dark. The 2025 Christmas light switch‑on takes place on Saturday, 15th November, with an impressive 12 million lights across the city.
Sierra Nevada
Spain might not be the first place that comes to mind for snow enthusiasts, but it boasts a surprising array of ski resorts perfect for families. Sierra Nevada is a handy Christmas base if you fancy lights and snow in the same trip.
The resort’s festive calendar usually includes night skiing on El Río, a 2.2-mile snow-covered trail that winds around the picturesque Mulhacén, Spain's highest peak. For thrill-seekers, the Maribel track runs parallel to El Río at a higher altitude, offering stunning views and an exciting challenge when the snow conditions are right. Beyond skiing and snowboarding, you'll find children’s workshops and a lively Three Kings parade in early January.
Málaga
No list of the best cities in Spain for Christmas would be complete without Málaga. Málaga has gained global acclaim thanks to the breathtaking display of Christmas lights.
Málaga’s switch‑on lands on Friday, 28th November 2025 on Calle Larios, with three light‑and‑sound passes most nights. The cathedral’s “Manto de Estrellas” mapping will also be a highlight, as well as the drone shows over the port, and the Paseo del Parque Christmas Market.
Barcelona
Barcelona keeps its Christmas rooted in Catalan traditions—spot the cheeky el caganer figures at the Fira de Santa Llúcia Christmas market by the cathedral. Then admire the city’s sleek street décor that glows even before dusk. The main Three Kings parade rolls through town on the evening of 5th January.
Estepa
Estepa smells of almonds and cinnamon in December. In fact, the town is famous for being the first in Europe to switch on its lights, 52 days before Christmas Day on Friday, 7th November 2025.
This town in the province of Seville is the home turf of traditional Spanish Christmas treats like mantecados and polvorones. Visit the factory shops and the Museo del Mantecado for a bit of context between tastings. Every year, the sweetmakers create replicas of famous Spanish monuments out of chocolate.
Madrid
Madrid is a timeless destination for Christmas, consistently ranking as one of Spain's top places to celebrate the festive season. The citywide switch‑on is scheduled for Saturday, 22nd November 2025, with lights across hundreds of streets and the showpiece tree in Puerta del Sol.
The Plaza Mayor market and the Naviluz bus routes are Christmas highlights in Madrid, and don't leave without tucking into churros with hot chocolate at San Ginés.
Arcos de la Frontera
Arcos stages one of Spain’s most evocative live nativities, turning the whitewashed old town into a living Bethlehem for a single afternoon in December.
Since its debut in 1983, this event continues to grow in grandeur each year, attracting over 20,000 visitors in just one afternoon. This year’s "Belén Viviente" will take place on Saturday, 13th December 2025. Expect to see donkeys, sheep, horses, open fires, and more than 500 actors in full costume.
Rute
Rute, in the province of Córdoba, is a sweet tooth’s day out, anchored by the immense chocolate nativity crafted by Galleros Artesanos. Spanning more than 600 square feet and made from over 3,000 pounds of chocolate, sugar, and marzipan, the tradition has been going on for over 20 years.
Don’t miss a visit to the Museo del Anís, dedicated to Rute’s traditional liqueur, and enjoy a mantecado while mingling with the many tourists exploring the city.
Jijona
Jijona in Alicante is turrón country. The sweet taste of almonds and honey has been coating the mouths of many for more than 500 years. Jijona's iconic Christmas Fair is a showcase for nougat makers and other festive bites. This year, it takes place on the 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th of December.
Córdoba
Córdoba’s December feels intimate: warm lighting in the historic centre and a clutch of traditional belenes dotted around museums and civic buildings.
The city's main Christmas market, located in Plaza de las Tendillas, runs from 15th November until 6th January. It features over 20 stalls selling artisan goods, Christmas decorations, and festive treats like turron and polvorones. In addition to the market, you can enjoy live nativity scenes, Christmas parades, and performances of traditional Spanish carols.
Christmas travel in Spain 2025: lights, long weekends and where people go
Spain’s festive season really gets moving around the December long weekend. Expect busier trains, pricier hotels and packed old towns, especially in bigger cities. Unsurprisingly, Madrid is the most popular destination in Spain at Christmas. However, it is followed closely by the Canary Islands, which are a popular choice for those seeking Spanish winter sun.
If you’re chasing sparkle, plan your Christmas holiday around the best Christmas lights in Spain 2025. And check Spain's Christmas traditions before setting off, so you're not met with festive events or rituals that take you by surprise.
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