Last updated 6 November 2026. Every 2026 date in the confirmed sections is taken from an organiser or venue page. Municipal 2026 dates (lights, market, Santa, zambombas, Three Kings) are not yet announced; dates from the 2025–26 season are labelled as such.
Christmas in Marbella mixes Spanish tradition with sunshine: lights in the Old Town, nativity scenes, markets, family lunches with Santa and restaurants that host Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. This guide pulls it all into one page. Use the sections below to jump to what you need.
Jump to: Confirmed events · Christmas Eve · Christmas Day · Lights · Markets · Santa and kids · Nativity scenes · Trees and decorations · Three Kings · FAQ
Confirmed Christmas events for 2026
| Date | Event | Where |
|---|---|---|
| 12 Dec, from 11:30 | Living Nativity and Christmas Market | Parroquia Virgen Madre, Nueva Andalucía |
| 15 Dec, 20:00 | Collegium Musicum Christmas concert (free, donations welcome) | Church of the Encarnación, Marbella Old Town |
| 19 Dec | Lunch with Santa & The Grinch | Jack’s Smokehouse, Puerto Banús |
| 24 Dec | Christmas Eve dinners, see below | Alberts, NOMAD, Cibo |
| 25 Dec | Christmas Day lunches and dinners, see below | Alberts, NOMAD, Jack’s, Leone |
See every event in our full Christmas events calendar. Looking just along the coast in Mijas Costa? Our Costa del Sol events page also lists the Max Beach Christmas programme.
Christmas Eve in Marbella: 24 December
Christmas Eve, Nochebuena, is the main family night in Spain. Confirmed for 2026:
- Alberts Bar & Grill, Cabopino: three-course menu, €65 per person, from 20:00, live music by The Soulmates.
- NOMAD, Nueva Andalucía: Sleigh The Night: Santa, Mrs Claus and the elves in NOMAD’s dinner-show setting, à la carte.
- Cibo, Marbella Golden Mile: Italian à la carte dinner with live music by Paula Rigel.
More in the Christmas Eve in Marbella directory.
Christmas Day in Marbella: 25 December
- Alberts, Cabopino: Bublé & Friends: special Christmas menu, €95 per person, from 13:00, with live music by Peet Rothwell.
- NOMAD, Nueva Andalucía: Christmas With All The Trimmings: €120 per person, live music by Austin & Lil J.
- Jack’s Smokehouse, Puerto Banús: regular à la carte menu, plus an optional prepaid set menu (two courses €37, three courses €45; children under 12 €16 and €20), with live music by Eli Hernandez.
- Leone Brasserie, Puerto Banús: Christmas Day Turkey Special: roast turkey with all the trimmings, €28 per person.
Compare them all on our Christmas Day in Marbella page.
Christmas lights in Marbella and San Pedro
Christmas traditionally starts with the switch-on of the lights, around Avenida Ramón y Cajal and the Old Town in Marbella, and on Avenida Marqués del Duero in San Pedro Alcántara. The 2026 dates have not been announced yet. Last season (2025), Marbella switched on on Saturday 29 November, with a parade from Plaza Santo Cristo and a zambomba at 20:00, and San Pedro on Friday 28 November. Do not treat those as 2026 dates.
Once the lights are on, a good evening walk starts at Plaza de los Naranjos, follows the pedestrian streets to Parque de la Alameda and ends at Avenida del Mar.
Christmas markets
- Marbella: last season the council’s main market was on Avenida del Mar (28 November 2025 to 5 January 2026, generally 12:00 to 22:00). 2026 dates and location are still to be confirmed.
- San Pedro: a Christmas street market with local business associations was held on 13 December 2025; nothing is announced for 2026 yet.
- Nueva Andalucía (confirmed): the Christmas Market at the Living Nativity on 12 December 2026.
- Wider Costa del Sol: Fuengirola’s market is confirmed for 26 November to 20 December 2026.
Details and updates: Christmas markets in Marbella.
Santa and family Christmas
- Confirmed: Lunch with Santa & The Grinch at Jack’s Smokehouse (19 December), and the children’s programme and Royal Postman at the Nueva Andalucía Living Nativity (12 December).
- Municipal visits: in 2025 Santa arrived in San Pedro on 16 December and in Marbella on 17 December. 2026 dates have not been announced.
All family plans are listed under Christmas for kids in Marbella.
Nativity scenes and traditions
Belenes, nativity scenes, are central to Christmas in Andalusia. Marbella’s municipal belén was inaugurated near Paseo de la Alameda in 2025, with further displays in local churches, and San Pedro also hosts several. The 2026 locations and opening hours are still to be confirmed. What is confirmed is the Living Nativity with live animals at Parroquia Virgen Madre on 12 December.
On 15 December the choir and orchestra of Collegium Musicum Costa del Sol perform a Christmas concert at the Church of the Encarnación in Marbella Old Town (20:00, no ticket, donations welcome). Zambombas, flamenco-style Christmas singing, took place in 2025 on Avenida Nabeul in Marbella (19 December) and on Avenida Marqués del Duero in San Pedro (18 December); 2026 dates are pending.
Read more: Nativity scenes and belenes in Marbella.
Christmas trees and decorations
For a real tree, start with Viveros Guzmán Marbella Verde (Marbella East) and confirm stock before you go. For artificial trees, lights and ornaments, Leroy Merlin Marbella in La Cañada is a practical start; Maisons du Monde and El Corte Inglés are good for decorative collections. Seasonal stock and prices change, so check with the shop.
Guides: Christmas trees · Christmas decorations · Christmas shopping.
Three Kings: 5 January
The Cabalgata de los Reyes Magos is traditionally held on the evening of 5 January in Marbella and in San Pedro. In January 2026 Marbella’s route used Avenida Ricardo Soriano and Avenida Ramón y Cajal. The route and time for 5 January 2027 have not been announced.
What is the 2026 council programme likely to include?
Last season’s municipal programme (2025–26) also had a nativity-scene opening, a Cáritas Christmas bazaar, Santa’s arrivals, zambombas, a Christmas treasure hunt in the Old Town, children’s events in San Pedro and a Christmas park in San Pedro between 29 December and 4 January. These are past-season examples, not 2026 dates. We will add what is announced.
Office Christmas parties
Planning a team dinner? See our page on office Christmas parties in Marbella.
Frequently asked questions
When do the Christmas lights come on in Marbella in 2026?
The official 2026 date has not been announced. Marbella switched on on 29 November in 2025 and San Pedro on 28 November.
Where is the Christmas market in Marbella?
In 2025–26 the main municipal market was on Avenida del Mar. The 2026 location and dates are to be confirmed. A Christmas market also runs on 12 December 2026 at the Living Nativity in Nueva Andalucía.
What Christmas events are confirmed for children in Marbella?
The Living Nativity and Christmas Market in Nueva Andalucía (12 December), Lunch with Santa & The Grinch at Jack’s Smokehouse (19 December).
Where can I buy a Christmas tree in Marbella?
Try Viveros Guzmán (Marbella East) for real trees and Leroy Merlin Marbella (La Cañada) for artificial ones, and confirm stock first.
Are there free Christmas activities in Marbella?
Walking the lights is free, and the Collegium Musicum concert on 15 December has no ticket (donations welcome). Some other activities need payment or registration.
When is the Three Kings parade in Marbella?
Traditionally on 5 January. The 2027 route and time are to be confirmed.
Quick answer
What is confirmed for Christmas 2026 in Marbella?
So far: the Living Nativity and Christmas Market in Nueva Andalucía (12 December), the Collegium Musicum Christmas concert in Marbella Old Town (15 December, 20:00), Lunch with Santa & The Grinch at Jack's Smokehouse (19 December), and Christmas Eve and Christmas Day dinners at Alberts, NOMAD, Cibo and Jack's Smokehouse. The municipal lights, market, Santa and Three Kings dates have not been announced yet.
Looking for festive dinners and family events instead? See Christmas events in Marbella.