What’s Christmas in Malaga like? What will be open? What can we see and do? When do the Christmas lights go on? It’s one of the biggest Malaga events and one we get lots of questions on. To answer them, we thought the best thing was to create a Christmas in Malaga FAQs blog post. If the answer to your question isn’t here, let us know and we’ll add it in!
Read more on: https://www.guidetomalaga.com/events-in-malaga/christmas-in-malaga/all-you-need-to-know-about-christmas-in-malaga/
In 2024, the Malaga Christmas lights switch-on will probably be Friday 22 or Saturday 23 November November at 7pm, but this date has yet to be confirmed.
What do the lights in Calle Larios look like?
The 2023 display repeated 2022’s, 16 celestial angels on 32 columns stretched along the entire length of the street. We love this one, particularly as it looks just as good during the day.
Watch this space for 2024’s design!
What about the lights in other parts of Malaga at Christmas?
The Alameda Principal also takes centre stage with a ton of LED lights (270,000 to be exact!) in the ficus trees, which will be on all day and all night. Plus, there are two brightly-lit almond trees.
Apart from Calle Larios, almost 2 million LED bulbs light up Malaga this Christmas – Calle San Juan (parallel to Calle Nueva) has got extra festive this year with golden lighting and an ‘Enchanted Cave’. Christmas chandeliers are also hanging in Calle Molina Lario and the 11 side streets off Calle Larios. Look out for 5 giant trees:
Video-mapping
This cool technique projects 3D imagery onto buildings accompanied by light and sound and this year, Malaga Cathedral’s provides the façade again. You can see Angel of Light on the south tower of the Cathedral.
The display will take place three times every evening at 6.45, 8 and 10pm from 1 December to 4 January (no shows on 24th and 31st December).
Christmas lights in the Botanical Gardens
The Christmas garden returns to the lovely botanical gardens for another year. The 2022 edition is called Stela, A Journey to the East, based on the Wise Men’s journey through Persia, Babylonia and then to Bethlehem. All lighting is LED this year in keeping with the national push to save energy, but expect a stunning show combining the gardens, its monuments and lights.
Cirque du Soleil on ice
When are the lights on?
The lights are switched on every evening over the Christmas period between 6.30pm and midnight (2am Friday to Sunday, 24th and 31st December and 5th January. They’re turned off on 6 January 2025 at midnight, the day after the Three Kings parade.
Many thanks, Follow Guide to Malaga and stay tuned! https://www.facebook.com/GuidetoMalaga
Which days are public holidays in Malaga over Christmas 2024?
Monday 6 January (Epiphany/ Three Kings)
Wednesday 25 December (Christmas Day).
Wednesday 1 January (New Year’s Day).
What will be closed on these days?
All shops, museums and attractions in Malaga. Most bars and restaurants tend to close on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, but many open for Three Kings.
Shops usually close early (e.g. between 3 and 5pm) on Christmas Eve (24 December) and New Year’s Eve (31 December)
Will any restaurants be open on Christmas Day?
Some larger restaurants and those in hotels will be open, but check in advance and book to be sure of a table.
We’re compiling a list of venues open – scroll down to read it.
