Celebrate Christmas in Nerja, Spain

Updated December 1, 2025

Christmas in Nerja 2025/2026 will be bigger than ever, with a program running for over a month and filling the entire town with music, lights, traditions, and celebrations. Perfect for those who live here or plan to visit Nerja during Christmas and New Year!

Since 2015, we have come here almost every year during the days between Christmas and New Year to celebrate Christmas in Nerja — a true Spanish Christmas (which continues until Epiphany on January 6) — as well as New Year’s. We stay until school starts again in Sweden. It’s wonderful to extend the holiday season and enjoy a few days of beach weather, sunshine, and Spanish culture. Evenings in December and January are “Sweater weather,” but the days are usually sunny and beautiful!

Are you celebrating the Hollidays in Nerja?

• Yes, of course!
• Nope, not this year...

Image of Burriana Beach on January 30, 2023

The municipal hall and the entrance to Plaza Espana in December in the evening

Christmas & New Year Program in Nerja 2025/2026 (5 Dec – 6 Jan)

Over 120 activities from December 5 to January 6

We finally have the first preview of this year’s Christmas program in Nerja — and 2025/2026 is shaping up to be one of the most atmospheric and activity-packed holiday seasons ever. On December 1st, Nerja’s local representatives, Francisco Arce and Elena Gálvez, announced that this year’s program will double in size and include over 120 activities between December 5 and January 6.

Christmas celebrations throughout the entire municipality

The festivities will take place across the whole Nerja area:

• Central Nerja

• Maro

• Los Poetas

• Las Protegidas

Both Balcón de Europa and Plaza de España will be filled with Christmas decorations, activities for all ages, and special events throughout the season.

A Spanish Christmas – celebrations continue until Epiphany

It’s good to know that the biggest celebration for children in Spain happens around Epiphany (January 6), when they receive their presents from Los Reyes Magos — the Three Wise Men.

This means that even if you arrive in Nerja after Christmas Eve, there is still plenty to enjoy and lots of festivities left!

(In contrast to Sweden, December 24 is mostly a family dinner, not the main gift-giving day.)

December 5 – Opening of the Christmas season

The Christmas celebrations begin on December 5 with two beloved traditions:

Opening of the Municipal Nativity Scene (Belén Municipal)

Place: Tourist Office at Plaza España

Time: 17:30

Switch-on of the Christmas lights in Nerja

Place: Plaza de España

Time: 18:30

Local traditions & highlights

14 December – Rosario de Campanilleros

A beautiful local tradition dedicated to María Santísima de los Desamparados.

19 December – Opening of the Christmas Park & Christmas Market

Place: Plaza de España

21 December – Belén Viviente (Live Nativity Scene)

Place: Las Protegidas

22 December – Visit from Papá Noel (Father Christmas/Santa) in Maro

Place: Maro

23 December – Christmas Parade / Cabalgata in Nerja

Place: Nerja

New Year’s Eve at Balcón de Europa – 31 December

Nerja invites everyone to a huge New Year’s Eve celebration at the iconic Balcón de Europa.

Music, Fireworks, The traditional “12 grapes” at midnight - A magical celebration by the Mediterranean Sea

Place: Balcón de Europa

Time: tarts at 23:30

This is one of Nerja’s biggest events of the year — free and open to everyone.

The Three Wise Men – 5 January

The holiday season concludes with the traditional Cabalgata de los Reyes Magos, one of Spain’s most cherished traditions.A must-see for families and anyone wanting to experience authentic Andalusian Christmas culture.

On January 6, Spanish children finally open their presents!

More details coming soon

Exact dates and schedules for many of the activities will be published later.

Many restaurants offer special Christmas and New Year’s menus — make sure to book early if you plan to dine out in the evening.

Our suggestions - to do at Christmas in Nerja

At the beginning of December, the tourist office sets up a wonderful nativity scene, worth stopping by and looking at in their large window during the Christmas celebrations.

Nativity scene Nerja tourist office

The Christmas lights on the Balcón de Europa

Picture of the big Christmas tree on the Europa balcony in December

Christmas park and market in Plaza España, where children can jump in bouncy castles and buy cotton candy, and much more! Tip! Bring cash if you go to the "Christmas park" up in Plaza Espana. The attractions (for children) usually cost between 1-2 euros. In addition to attractions for children such as bouncy castles and fake ice skating rink, so there is candy, cotton candy and more to buy. Some day in December, the "royal postmen" will come to take the children's letters to the three wise men. There are usually performances and long lines of children for these royal postmen.

The nativity scene (with live actors) outside the Nerja church (the first year we saw this it was a little baby playing the baby Jesus - they really all go in).

Parade with Santa Claus (23 Dec) around Nerja's streets and squares.

New Year's party at the Balcon de Europa. There are a lot of people and serving of drinks in the square and more.

We have always loved taking the kids to the Three Wise Men parade on January 5th. Bring a small box or bag to collect sweets in. The three wise men have sweets for the children which they throw out from their mammoth parade floats.

Foto från visitanerja.es

Traditions and important dates in Spain around Christmas

Christmas in Spain: A Season Full of Traditions

If I were to compare Christmas celebrations in Spain to those in Sweden (I love Christmas), it can be said that Spain has a much longer holiday period. Christmas Eve is more family-focused, while Epiphany (January 6) is more gift-centered.

December 8 – La Inmaculada Concepción

Christmas officially begins on December 8 with La Inmaculada Concepción (The Immaculate Conception). This is an important Catholic holiday, especially celebrated in Seville, where La Danza de los Seises (the dance of the choirboys) is a tradition that fascinates many.

December 22 – La Lotería de Navidad

Spanish Christmas wouldn’t be the same without the grand Christmas lottery, El Gordo (The Fat One). Almost everyone in the country participates, and the drawing is broadcast on TV and radio for several hours. El Gordo is a collective celebration, and winners often share their prizes with family and friends.

December 24 – La Nochebuena

On Christmas Eve, families gather for a festive dinner, often featuring dishes that vary by region but typically include classics like lamb, ham, and fish. It’s a time to be close with family and friends, often accompanied by Christmas music in the background.

December 25 – La Navidad

Christmas Day in Spain is traditionally quieter, celebrated with close family. While gifts are sometimes exchanged on this day, many people wait until January 6, when the Three Kings bring presents.

December 31 – La Nochevieja

New Year’s Eve in Spain is similar to Sweden, but with one unique and important tradition: eating twelve grapes—one for each chime of the clock at midnight. If you manage to eat all twelve in sync with the chimes, it is said to bring good luck for the coming year.

January 5–6 – Los Reyes Magos (The Three Kings) Moved to January 4th (instead of the 5th). The program remains unchanged.

The holiday season reaches its climax with the Epiphany celebrations, when the Three Kings, Los Reyes Magos, arrive bearing gifts. On January 4th, grand parades (Cabalgatas) are held, during which the Kings throw candy to children. On the morning of January 6, children open their presents.

Spanish Christmas Traditions and Symbols

Belén (Nativity Scene)In almost every Spanish home and in many public spaces, you’ll find Belén—a detailed nativity scene depicting the birth of Jesus. Many nativity scenes are incredibly elaborate, including entire villages and characters like shepherds and animals.

La Misa del Gallo (Midnight Mass)Many Spaniards attend Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve, called La Misa del Gallo. The name, which means "The Rooster’s Mass," comes from the legend that a rooster crowed on the night Jesus was born. This is a solemn ceremony that many participate in.

Turrón and PolvoronesChristmas sweets are a must! Turrón is an almond nougat that comes in various forms—both soft and hard. Polvorones, crumbly almond cookies, are also popular.

(We love Turrón but aren’t as fond of Polvorones 😊)

See you at Christmas in Nerja 2025/2026!