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Preparations for the Christmas festivities are in full swing here in Andalusia. Many of the decorations in cities and towns are already in place, including in the historic centre of Málaga. And the fact that work to install the lights is already almost complete can only mean that the opening day for the lighting of all the lights is near. Every year, thousands of people come to Málaga to enjoy the Christmas lights and the special atmosphere it brings with it, together with their families.

There are also more and more activities in the old part of the city, from shows to festivals, concerts, zambombas or the famous stalls in the Paseo del Parque. A good reason to plan a visit in December or January as it really is a pleasure to walk through the city in the evening.

Once again, the Calle Larios in the heart of the city center will become an enchanted forest full of fairies. As every year, at 18:30, 20:00 and 21:00 there will be several shows in which a choreographed light show performs a ´dance´ of lights to the accompaniment of various Christmas carols. This year, this light and music show will be unveiled on Friday 29 November. There will also be a video mapping next to Málaga Cathedral and a forest of lights in the Alameda Principal.

The La Concepción Botanical-Historical Garden in Málaga, one of the city's most emblematic natural areas, is also once again organising its traditional Christmas show of lights and music. This year it will take place under the title: Ilusión, la Navidad tiene muchas caras, pero un solo corazón (Illusion, Christmas has many faces, but only one heart). This light show also starts on November 29 and runs until January 6. Visitors can choose from several time slots from 18:30 to 21:30, with shows every 30 minutes. Each time slot is limited to a maximum of 400 people. The show is closed on 24 and 31 December.

Tickets can be bought on this website or by calling 951 55 21 21 30 and on the show's official website lucesdelaconcepcion.es.

Between 30 November and 15 February 2025, the Parque del Oeste in Málaga will host a show inspired by the traditional Chinese Lantern Festival, which marks the end of the Chinese New Year. Tickets for this event are now available through the official website festivaldelaslinternasmalaga.es and through the El Corte Ingles website. Tickets have a special introductory price of €14. After the pre-sale, ticket prices vary from day to day, between €15, €18 and €20.

Malaga's Cervantes and Echegaray theatres will be two of the main venues for Christmas concerts and zambombas (Christmas celebrations). During the month of December, the program ‘Christmas in the Cervantes and Echegaray’ will be held, featuring artists such as Miguel Poveda, Encarni Navarro, María José Santiago, José Mercé, Joana Jiménez. Also scheduled are the shows ‘De tal palo’, ‘Los tres reyes’, or the specil New Year's concert.

In the center of Málaga city alone, there are some 20 stalls (belenes) but you'll find one in every village. Another highlight is the traditional (living) Christmas stable installed every year by the Málaga municipality in the Plaza de la Constitución. In addition, the city's fraternities organize a route of spectacular Christmas barnes from their fraternity houses to the main museums in the city center.
 
From the end of November, it is also already possible to visit the many Christmas markets where all kinds of Christmas goodies, sweet treats and other craft merchandise can be found. These can be visited until Epiphany on 6 January. Especially for the little ones, there is a ‘Christmas village’ in Málaga near the El Corte Ingles department store, including an ice-skating rink, merry-go-round and other attractions, as well as a churros crane. Great fun for adults too, especially if you combine it with a visit to the department store. 

Although there is no confirmation of it yet, nor was there one last year, but it is expected that also in 2024 the area around the port of Málaga will be the scene of a technological show combining light, creativity and magic.

In short, should you be near Málaga in the next six weeks, a ´nightly´ visit is well worthwhile.