12 Ways to Spend Christmas in Marbella 2024

The weather might not drop, but you can still enjoy the festive spirit of Christmas in Marbella. With plenty of things to do for families and couples, this is a wonderful way to spend your holidays. Plus, Christmas in Spain is longer than in most other European countries, so let’s look at how you can spend your winter holiday in Marbella!

• Table of contents
• Christmas in Marbella
• When is the Christmas season in Marbella?
• 12 Ways to Spend Christmas in Marbella
• Important Information about Christmas in Marbella
• Enjoy Christmas in Marbella
• FAQs

The winter holiday season in Marbella is filled with lively traditions, a cozy atmosphere, and a pleasant coastal vibe.

Whether you want to visit Spain to escape the cold weather or you’re looking for ways to spend your first Christmas in Marbella – we’ll go over everything you need to know.

In this article, we’ll talk about what to expect during the Christmas season, things to do, as well as ways to fit in with the locals.

If you need support finding a home where you can spend Christmas in Marbella, just reach out to our team.

The Christmas season in Marbella usually opens during the first week of December, and will last until January 7th.

In Spain, people celebrate the following holidays:

• Christmas Eve (Nochebuena)
• Christmas (Navidad)
• New Year’s Eve (Nochevieja)
• New Year’s Day (Año Nuevo)
• Epiphany (Día de los Reyes Magos)

So if you’re coming from another area in Europe, you’ll be in for a surprise, as the Christmas season extends into January!

Photo by Dani Barbaran

Whether you’re looking for cozy lights or want some winter sports – you’ll be able to find it in Marbella.

There are tons of things to do in Marbella, but Christmas time gives the city a special glow. So let’s look at the best way to spend your holiday in the Mediterranean. 

1.     Explore the City

This goes for travelers and residents alike. Especially during the evening, the city becomes a wonderful sight to see. With lights strung up throughout the city’s plazas, it’s the perfect time to explore the historic center.

You can see the Christmas lights strung up throughout the historic center and on the alameda.

Plus, while many people think otherwise – oranges are actually a winter fruit. This means that the Plaza de Los Naranjos is filled with bright, citrusy oranges, giving the city an extra special dash of color.

2.    Go Skiing

One of the best ways to spend Christmas in Marbella is by taking part in all the outdoor activities!

Head to the nearby Sierra Nevada Ski Resort to make the most of this winter wonderland. It’s the preferred ski station for anyone living in the Costa del Sol. It is a short drive away from the city – only about 2.5 hours away. So even though Marbella is known for the sunny, mild climate – the nearby mountain gives you the option to enjoy the snow if you choose!

Prefer escaping the cold weather? Enjoy the sunny weather and golf in Marbella instead!

Regardless of your preference – heading into the outdoors is one of the best ways to spend Christmas in Marbella.

3.    Enjoy a Sunshine-Filled Holiday

Speaking of the weather, Marbella is one of the best places in Spain to enjoy a coastal holiday.

If you love the idea of a beach-themed Christmas, then Marbella is the right spot for you. Because while the water may still be too cold for swimming, that doesn’t stop you from enjoying the crystalline coastline.

Here are a few beach activities you can do to spend your Christmas holiday in Marbella:

• Walk by the port
• Go sailing
• Rent a catamaran
• Enjoy a Christmas Eve dinner on the beach

4.   Try the Local Cuisine

Spain is famous for its gastronomy, and the Christmas season brings in several traditions.

Head to the best restaurants in Marbella for an authentic taste, or try out the many bakeries to enjoy the Christmas sweets. Traditional desserts like polvorones and mantecados are a must-try!

In Spain, it’s also common to eat roasted chestnuts, which many street vendors will sell. You can also try a variety of different chestnuts at the Tostón Navideño, a well-loved tradition that’s unique to Marbella.

So make sure to enjoy all the traditional Christmas recipes like the locals do!

5.    See the Belénes

Spain has a long-standing tradition of creating elaborate nativity scenes during the Christmas season. Small parishes, the city’s cathedral, schools, and even some local shops will set up a nativity scene for people to look at.

In Marbella, it’s also a tradition to see the “Living Nativity Scene” set up in the Paseo de la Alameda. This is an open-air play performed by children and family members, organized by a local dance academy.

So we highly recommend exploring the city and going inside open churches to see the nativity scenes. They are an artful display of the local culture and traditions.

Photo by Ben White

6.   Go Shopping

What better way to take part in the Christmas spirit than to go shopping for presents!

We typically recommend going to El Corte Inglés for an easy, one-stop shop for all of your presents. But don’t forget to go to smaller, boutique shops to look for other unique and artisanal gifts.

If you’re looking for Christmas-themed souvenirs, the city also hosts a Christmas market. Here you’ll be able to find lots of gift ideas! The Christmas markets usually open the first week of December and will stay open until January 7th.

How to get there. 

7.    Get Lucky with the Lottery

If you really want to spend Christmas in Marbella like a local – then you have to participate in the lottery!

The Christmas Lottery is an enormous event celebrated all throughout Spain. With the earnings going to charitable causes, this is a wholesome tradition with the chance to give a few lucky people a very special Christmas present.

It’s also common to purchase a lottery ticket as a gift for a loved one. Then, the winning numbers are announced on December 22nd, with a huge event to accompany it.

8.   Eat Grapes on New Year’s Eve

Make sure to celebrate the new year like the locals do! During the last minute of the year, you’ll head to the plaza de la Iglesia de la Encarnación to listen to the countdown.

The Spanish tradition is to eat 12 grapes during this last minute, eating a grape each time a bell chimes.

And it can be more difficult than it seems! We recommend buying seedless grapes for an easier experience.

9.   Go to the Cabalgata

On the night before the Three Kings Day, a very important parade takes place. This is the event that Spanish children are waiting for all year!

A large parade (cabalgata) will take place through the streets of Marbella. This involves the Three Kings marching through the city and throwing candy at the crowds.

It’s a fun, energetic, and heartwarming event that’s perfect for families. So if you’re coming with your family – or you just want to get into the Spanish Christmas spirit, make sure to spend some time seeing the cabalgata.

Photo source,  Area Costa del Sol

10.  Listen to Christmas Carols

Associations in the city center organize a Christmas Carol competition each year in Marbella. This means you’ll hear lovely songs throughout the city.

While you may hear some Christmas carols throughout the entirety of the month, the specific time and dates for the competition changes each year. So make sure to keep an eye out for this family-friendly event.

It’s certainly one of the most festive ways to spend Christmas in Marbella!

11.   Indulge Yourself

Want to warm up, relax, and have a truly elegant holiday? Then make sure to enjoy some of the best Spas in Marbella.

This is the perfect way to get rid of any holiday stress and find some rejuvenating time to yourself.

Here is a quick list of some of great spas in Marbella:

• Villa Padierna
• Six Senses at Puente Romano
• Finca Cortesin Spa
• Marbella Club Thalasso Spa

12. Malaga Christmas Lights

The lovely city of Málaga is only about 1 hour away from Marbella. This makes it easy to go enjoy the beautiful light displays throughout this city.

Walk around this seaside city and make sure you head through Calle Larios. Here, you’ll have a lovely light show that makes you truly appreciate Christmas in Andalusia.

Then once you’re done exploring the Christmas ambience, make sure to go have dinner at one of their top restaurants. As Málaga is a relatively global city, you’ll have plenty of options to choose from.

Photo source, Visita Malaga

If this is your first Christmas in Marbella, then there are a few things you should know to make sure you have a lovely holiday.

While this winter festival is celebrated throughout nearly all of Europe, there are some traditions that are particular to Spain. So let’s look at some important information so you don’t have any last-minute Christmas disasters!

Check the Supermarket Hours

Many of the supermarkets will be open during Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, but they may be closed on December 25th and January 1st.

Make sure you check each supermarket for their holiday hours. Especially if you plan on having a holiday dinner in your home, you might need to plan in advance!

Need help finding a home in Marbella? Just reach out.

Embrace the Lengthy Season

The Christmas season in Spain is much longer than it is in other countries. The season extends until January 6th.

This means that schools are often out for nearly 3 weeks, and some businesses will also close during this time. While restaurants will usually remain open, it’s normal to see other businesses be closed.

We recommend embracing this time of rest. It’s a wonderful way to shift, focus on time with your family, and take advantage of the beauty of living in Marbella.

Make Reservations Early

Planning on going out for dinner while you’re in Marbella? Then make sure to make a reservation!

This goes for normal occasions too, not just for days like the 24th or 31st of December. Since many people will have big reunions with friends or dinners with colleagues, it’s common for restaurants to fill up fast in December.

Plus, since the weather is generally quite nice during December, it’s common to see people dining outdoors as well! So even if you’re looking to grab a drink near the beach, you might not have a table!

So if you’re planning on a special night out with a group of people – make sure to make a reservation first.

Gift-Giving in Spain is Different

Traditionally, people gave presents on the Epiphany (Three Kings Day), rather than on Christmas.

These days, many families will give presents on both holidays. But this helps explain why Three Kings Day is so important in Spain! Some family’s now may choose to have a smaller present on Christmas, then have the more important presents on January 6th.

Another fairly common tradition is the amigo invisible. This Secret Santa tradition has different rules depending on the individual — but it is common to get into a gift-giving event for colleagues, as well.

Regardless, you’ll see people’s generous spirit come out during this time, so make sure to join in on the festivities!

We hope you have a wonderful Christmas in Marbella with your family. There are plenty of activities to take part in. Sunshine, delicious foods, and lots of traditional events make the holiday season extra special in Marbella.

If you want to experience the magic of Marbella every Christmas, make sure to reach out to our team. Our expert team will help you find the perfect home in Marbella.

And if you have any questions, feel free to reach out here.

Photo by Marbella Club Hotel via Traveler

What is the best thing to do during Christmas in Marbella?

The best thing to do is to explore the city center lit up with Christmas decorations.

Is Marbella good for Christmas?

Yes! There are plenty of activities, rich cultural traditions, and a mild climate that makes it easy to enjoy the outdoors.

Is Marbella warm during Christmas?

In the city, daily temperatures average around 10º, typically with sunny weather.