The 9 best things to do at christmas in Malaga
You can visit Malaga at Christmas for many reasons. For example, because you have family in our city and you come to visit. Or, simply, you come for sightseeing. There are many people who choose our coast because the weather at that time of year is much nicer. To give you an idea, the minimum temperature does not usually fall below 10 degrees Celsius, and it usually reaches 20 degrees Celsius.
Well, if you are one of those lucky ones who will be visiting us soon, you will surely want to know some of our best Christmas plans. Read on, which one do you plan to join us for?
The night-time illumination
The Christmas lights in and around Calle Larios are a spectacle well worth seeing. As you’ll probably be shopping in the area, you’ll have the chance to see what they’ve done this year. Nothing less than reproducing the domes and stained glass windows of our cathedral. It’s certainly a far cry from last year’s much more minimalist illumination. But this year’s lighting far exceeds all expectations. We highly recommend it.
Muelle Uno Christmas market
There are numerous Christmas markets all over the city (and the province: don’t forget the one in Fuengirola), but the one in Muelle Uno is particularly convenient. Located in a completely pedestrianised area, you can enjoy the numerous stalls where you can buy anything from gifts to Christmas decorations. Every day, from 10 am to 10 pm, until 7 January.
Concert in the cathedral
On 20 December, at 8 p.m., the Advent concert will take place in the cathedral. All classical music lovers will be amazed to hear, on this occasion, pieces by Maestro Iribarren, in an event in which Unicaja, the CEM Foundation and the Victoria Foundation have collaborated. This is another way of experiencing Malaga at Christmas, which will delight those who enjoy it in a more spiritual way.
The best nativity scenes
There are numerous nativity scenes to be seen in the city: the one in the cathedral and the one in the Town Hall are just a few examples. But there are many more. If you are interested in this type of artistic display, here you can see all the ones that are worth mentioning. You’ll also find the times and days when they are open to the public. By the way! There is even a living one, which can only be seen for a few hours on 17 December.
Malaga at Christmas, if it’s with children, it’s called MIMA.
Fun, sporting and educational activities are the plans you can find at MIMA (Malaga Children’s Fair). This event is organised every year during the school holidays at this time of year, and the influx of visitors is brutal. It is located in the Palacio de Ferias y Exposiciones de Málaga, and it is the best possible plan for the little ones to have a great time. Children from 4 to 12 years old pay, and the price is 8 euros (adults pay half price). But take a look at the website, because there are reduced rates for groups.
By the way, both the Picasso Foundation and the museums Russian Museum Collection and Centre Pompidou will be present with fun workshops at MIMA.
Special activities in the museums
Malaga’s museums are also stepping up their efforts on these dates and are preparing special activities, especially for children. Do you want to see some of them?
Spray-painting and wire crafts in the Russian Museum Collection
The Collection of the Russian Museum St. Petersburg/Malaga presents a continuous workshop, organised in several artistic zones. In each of them, children will be introduced to different concepts related to Christmas and different creative techniques will be used. Among them, spray painting, wire or installation. If you feel like it, you can come along on 26, 27, 28 and 29 December, and from 2 to 4 January, from 12 to 14 and from 17:30 to 19:30.
Modern art with the family at the Pompidou
From 27 December to 4 January, the Centre Pompidou Malaga has programmed special sessions for families around the world of Blobterre, the imaginary world that simulates a forest in the museum’s space for young audiences. There, children, always accompanied by their parents, will be able to enjoy and play with the creation of the artist Matali Crasset, who proposes an urban space in which nature is integrated. The mediators will lead these sessions from 5 to 7.30pm
Ice skating
Ice skating is one of the most fun activities for young and old alike. And yes, in Malaga there are places to skate on ice. Of course, artificial ice. Next to El Corte Inglés, there are several icy attractions for the whole family to enjoy. In addition to skating, there are also ice slides where you can slide down on huge floats.
Tasting the typical sweets of Malagas
In addition to the turrones or the roscón de Reyes, at Christmas time in Malaga you can find sweets with designation of origin… or almost. Because they are local products and Christmas tastes different with them. It is very common for any shop, bar, hotel… to offer you a sweet for free. But if you fancy trying some of ours, either in a café or with your family, at home or in your hotel, take note.
Borrachuelo, a sweet with centuries of history
Borrachuelo is typical of our province. It is similar to a pestiño (a fried pastry covered with honey or sugar), but with a filling. The most typical fillings are sweet potato powder (a kind of delicious vegetable cream) or angel hair. Like most Christmas sweets, it is not exactly light, so you have to make room for it.
Roscos de vino: a touch of muscatel
Muscatel or Pedro Ximénez, both sweet local wines. Roscos de vino have become popular nationwide, but the ones made here are incredible. Don’t miss the opportunity to try them in cafés in the city centre or buy them in one of the best pastry shops in the capital. You won’t have any trouble finding them, but if you want to make a gift for someone, you can find both borrachuelos and roscos at Zoilo (Calle Granada, 65). And, of course, of unbeatable quality.
A daytime stroll along the beach
If the weather is good -and it usually is-, a very appetising and atypical plan at this time of year is to take a stroll along any of our beaches. You can opt for a barefoot stroll along the sand or walk along the promenade and take the opportunity to have breakfast on a terrace. Or for a midday snack. Between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m., approximately, the sun is at its highest and we usually get to wear short sleeves when the sun shines, something very un-Christmas-like but incredibly original at this time of year!