December Christmas Newyear Costa Blanca
What to see and do during December, Christmas and Newyear on the Costa Blanca? The Marina Alta region, on Spain’s beautiful Costa Blanca, transforms into a magical setting during the Christmas season — offering residents and visitors the chance to experience its charming Christmas markets, light festivals and enjoying Christmas vibes in the old towns.
What to see and do during your December holidays on the Costa Blanca?
1. 
Christmas markets
The Christmas markets in Marina Alta are a wonderful opportunity to discover the true essence of this special time of year. As you stroll through the stalls, you’ll find a wide variety of artisanal products, from handmade Christmas decorations to delicious local specialties and gourmet treats.
12–14 December | Finestrat
Enjoy a lively Christmas Market with themed decorations, festive parades, Christmas characters and children’s entertainment.
14 December | Llíber
A cosy Christmas Market offering gifts, seasonal crafts, Christmas songs, delicious food and a magical visit from Santa Claus.
14 December Christmas Fair – Ràfol de Almúnia
The Christmas Fair takes place from in Sant Francesc de Paula Square. The market day features a variety of fun workshops for the whole family, storytelling, and stalls selling typical and homemade products.
20 & 21 December | Teulada
The Christmas Market will be held in Plaza de la Constitución and Avenida Santa Caterina in Teulada. Visitors can enjoy a festive Christmas atmosphere with Christmas items, stalls selling local products, Christmas decorations, and a program of activities for the whole family, including fun children’s workshops.
21 December | Benitachell
At C/ Major & C/ La Pau. A charming Christmas Market with festive stalls, holiday decorations and a warm seasonal atmosphere.
December | Denia
During the December holiday long weekend, Denia hosts a lively Christmas Market at c/ La Vía featuring local shops and artisans offering gift items and Christmas-related products. Enjoy interactive workshops , storytelling sessions, festive craft demonstrations and a special visit from Santa Claus.
December | Ondara
Around El Prado and the Bullring (Plaza de Toros). Discover a charming Medieval Market featuring artisan stalls, themed entertainment, traditional crafts and a unique historical Christmas ambiance.
And also:
Alicante’s Christmas Market along the Explanada
Benidorm’s Festive Zone (El Pueblo)
Jávea artisan market Sunday 11:00 – 14:00 at the harbour
Altea’s old-town stalls
2. Music & Concerts
In December, the Marina Alta fills once again with charming recitals, Christmas concerts held inside historic spaces, charity events, and performances by young musical talents trained in local conservatories and schools.
You’ll be able to enjoy piano, chamber ensembles, choirs, Puccini tribute opera, music bands, and seasonal performances that resonate with the cultural magic of the region.
Calp
Christmas concert
Sunday 14 · 8:30 p.m. Sunday 21 · 8:30 p.m.
Nuestra Señora de las Nieves Parish Church
Swan Lake – Classical ballet Thursday 11 · 7:00 p.m. Jaume Pastor i Fluixà Cultural Center
€35
Benissa
Christmas Concert – Benissenca Choir Saturday 13 · 7:00 p.m. Taller d’Ivars Art Center €10 · 
Advance tickets and at the box office
Tosca Ensemble Saturday 27 · 8:00 p.m. Convent Free
Dénia
‘Zambomba flamenca solidaria’ Friday 19 · 8:00 p.m. Teatre Auditori €5 · 
By No ni na (Casa de Andalucía)
Christmas Concert Saturday 13 · 8:00 p.m. Centre Social Free (until full capacity is reached)
By the Orfeó de Dénia
Gata de Gorgos
Christmas Concert Saturday, December 20 · 7:30 p.m. Casal de la Música
Performed by the Youth Band and the Unió Musical Gata
Christmas Concert Sunday 21 · 8:00 p.m. Sant Miquel Arcàngel Church
Performed by the Youth Choir, CODA Gospel, and CODA Band
Jávea/ Xàbia
Opera and piano recital – Tribute to Puccini Saturday 13 · 8:30 p.m. Església de Sant Bartomeu Free With Laura Cruz & Victoria Marco
Christmas concert Sunday 21 · 11:00 a.m. Convento de las Agustinas Free By Ars Nova and Petit Ars
Passejades Nadalenques – Young music from CAM Xàbia Sunday 21 · 12:30 p.m. Historic Xàbia
By the CAM Xàbia Youth Band and Orchestra
Teulada – Moraira
Christmas Concert Sunday 14 · 5:00 p.m. Moraira Church Square Organized by the Teulada Moraira Lions Club
Christmas Choir Concert Friday 19 · 8:00 p.m. St. Catherine Martyr Church With the Teuladina Choir and choirs from the Mestre Berenguer Conservatory
Christmas Concert Saturday 20 · 9:00 p.m. Verge dels Desamparats Church With the Teuladina Choir and Professional Choir
3. Wander through the holiday lights
Spanish towns love Christmas lights—really love them. Streets, plazas, palm trees, and promenades get covered in bright festive displays. At the end of November, early December all villages switched on their holiday lights.
Don’t miss:
The Alicante Esplanade lights and festive fairground
Benidorm’s illuminated Old Town streets
Calpe’s lit-up old quarter
Even small villages create magical atmospheres perfect for evening photos. Just stroll around the old towns of Benissa, Jávea or Altea to enjoy the Christmas atmosphere.
4. December 22 – El Gordo Lottery
‘El Gordo‘ is Spain’s most famous lottery, dating back to 1812. First thing in the morning everyone tunes into the radio listening to the children from San Idelfonso School calling out the winning numbers, eagerly waiting to hear if their lucky lottery ticket has won them millions. ‘El Gordo’ (the big one) has been generous to the Costa Blanca on numerous occasions!
And if you don’t win this ‘Sorteo de Navidad’ Christmas lottery, you can always try your luck again in the New Year with the ‘Loteria de el Niño’ on January 6th!
5. Experience Spanish Christmas
Experience Spanish ChristmasChristmas starts at the evening of the 24th of December. Many people go to church for a traditional Christmas mass. Afterwards they enjoy food and drinks with their family. Christmas Day is often celebrated with their family too. And it’s all about food and drinks!
Traditional Spanish holiday dishes include:
- Turrón (nougat)
- Roscón de Reyes (a ring-shaped sweet bread)
- Cava (Spanish sparkling wine)
- Seafood feasts—lobster, prawns, clams, and more
Many restaurants offer special Christmas menus, mixing Spanish traditions with international favorites. It might be crowded so make sure you got a reservation.
6. December 28 – Día de los Santos Inocentes
‘Día de los Santos Inocentes’ is Spain’s equivalent to April Fool’s Day, so expect light-hearted pranks from family, colleagues, friends and the media! The tradition hails from the Old Testament, and marks the day of the Massacre of the Innocents.
7. New Year’s Eve on the Costa Blanca
New Year’s Eve on the Costa BlancaCelebrate Nochevieja the Spanish way. New Year’s Eve might be a little different than you’re used to in Northern Europe. Less fireworks and more food. Often people go to the beach or coastal area for celebrating New Year’s Eve
In Spain, New Year’s Eve (Nochevieja) is all about:
- Dressing up
- Eating a delicious dinner
- Spending time with friends and family
- And… eating 12 grapes at midnight—one for each chime of the clock for good luck!
You’ll find grape packets sold everywhere. We can tell you it’s really a challenge to eat them all on time!
Most Costa Blanca towns host public celebrations with live music, DJs, and fireworks.
Great spots for NYE festivities:
- Alicante: Plaza del Ayuntamiento
- Benidorm: Levante Beach fireworks & giant party
- Torrevieja: Plaza de la Constitución
- Calpe: Plaza Mayor
- Altea & Jávea: lively old-town gatherings
Expect dancing until late (or early!).
8. Tres reyes | Three kings
Tres reyes | Three kingsJanuary 5 – Eve of the Three Kings’ Day
January 5th is the eve of ‘3 Kings’ Day’. This is the morning of Spain’s second Xmas lottery ‘Lotería del Niño’, so called because later today an important event takes place, it’s the most magical night of the year, when the Three Royal Magi followed the star to baby Jesus.
Spain celebrates the occasion with colourful street parades and children watch in awe as the three Kings arrive – Melchior, Gaspar, and Balthazar passing by in their ornate carriages, or riding camels, and most likely accompanied by Santa too!
January 6 – Epiphany or Three Kings’ Day
On Three Kings’ Day ‘Dia de los Reyes Magos’ children, and adults across Spain, excitedly wake up on this bank holiday morning to loads of presents. It’s a day to spend with the family.
Finish off the festive season on the Costa Blanca with afternoon tea and a slice of traditional ‘Roscón’, a large sweet bun ring sprinkled with sugar and candied angelica. Baked inside there will be a hard haricot bean – the person who finds this foots the bill – and a lucky ceramic King for the fortunate one.
The plain bread cakes are often cream-filled nowadays, and there are even bakeries which conceal prize tickets inside the dough as a publicity gimmick.