Marbella may not have snow and frost during the Christmas period but it is still a very festive place to be, with lots of activities for both kids and adults that will get you into a merry mood. Whether you choose to spend an evening walking through the town centre taking in the Christmas lights or take your children to Santa’s Grotto, Christmas can be as magical in Marbella as anywhere else in the world.

Traditionally, Christmas time begins with the switching on of the Christmas lights in Marbella and San Pedro town centres. This usually takes place on the 1^st of December and special celebrations continue during the evening with Santa’s Grotto opening in both places and hot chocolate and donuts being served for that sweet treat on a chilly winter night.

The festive events continue throughout December all over town with concerts, carol services and Christmas bazaars or fayres where you can buy Christmas presents, holiday baskets and a host of other items. From around the 15^th December the Palacio de Congresos in Marbella turns into a winter wonderland with their annual ice rink – skaters of all ranges and ages can enjoy some holiday fun!

If you are in Marbella with children then take a trip to La Cañada where they can meet the jolly, red-suited man himself from the 1^st December to the 26^th .  Also remember to help your children prepare their letters to Santa early so they can drop them off to Santa’s Grotto in Parque de la Alameda in Marbella – they will receive a reply so be sure to put their names and addresses on the letters too!

With Christmas parties to attend, most women (and of course certain gentlemen too!) will enjoy a little pampering and will want to look their best for Christmas Day. Lots of salons along the coast offer special Christmas packages at great prices so you are preened and ready to hit the town for a few pre-Christmas and New Year cocktails.

On the big day itself, if you don’t fancy slaving over a hot stove for most of the morning then many of the restaurants in Marbella offer the traditional Christmas three course lunch at very reasonable prices – try La Casita and The Playwright for some gourmet cuisine. Or, if you don’t fancy turkey with all the trimmings then some of them offer Scandinavian, Spanish and other Mediterranean alternatives – head to Garum and La Plaza for a taste of something different.

Once the Christmas celebrations are done and dusted it’s time to look forward to the New Year and those fabulous New Year’s Eve celebrations that take place all over Marbella. From small intimate dinners at some of the finest restaurants including The Beach House, Nueva Kaskada, Casamono and Morelli’s, to big, extravagant parties at the top bars and clubs such as Suite, Bono’s Beach and Hard Rock Cafe there is always something to do to celebrate the start of a brand new year. The town halls also put on celebrations in Marbella, San Pedro and Estepona with fireworks, music and the traditional lucky grapes at midnight.  

If you are feeling a little delicate on New Year’s Day after one too many glasses of champagne the night before then head to Tikitano or Julie’s for a sumptuous brunch that will have you feeling brand new again!

Once Christmas and New Year is finished around the rest of the world in Spain the party continues as the Spanish celebrate Three Kings Day on the 6^th January. Typically this day is celebrated as the day the three kings brought gold, frankincense and myrrh to baby Jesus and because of this a lot of Spanish children will receive their presents on this day instead of Christmas Day. It is a National holiday so much of Marbella closes for this special day but many restaurants and bars host special events for adults and children.

If all this festivity isn’t enough and you really are craving some snow at Christmas then don’t forget the ski slopes of Sierra Nevada are just a couple of hours drive!

Jessica White, My Destination Marbella
December 2011