If you are lucky enough to be in Nerja over the Christmas period there are many things to see and do whilst you are here. The Christmas illuminations can be seen on the Balcon de Europa, Plaza Cavana, Calle Pintada and Diputacion and also on the approaches to the town and in some of the squares.
As well as the traditional Christmas on the 24th/25th December the Spanish also celebrate Three Kings on January 5th & 6th, when the three wise men arrived in Bethlehem with gifts for the baby Jesus and this can be seen depicted in the many Belens (nativity scenes) around the town, including the municipal Belen in Calle Cristo (number 14, open from 10am to 2pm and 5.30pm to 9.30pm) and the Church’s Belen in El Salvador church on the Balcon.
Christmas Eve
For most Spaniards, there are three main stages to Christmas, starting with Christmas Eve (Nochebuena) which is very much a family affair. The evening may start at home but often ends up with a party in a hotel, club or disco with friends and family. It is likely that every generation of the family is represented. The party will go on all night. Cava (a fizzy champagne) is the most popular drink at Christmas with millions of bottles being sold.
Christmas Day
This is a fiesta day in Nerja, so all banks and shops are closed, probably to recover from the night before. Christmas Day in Nerja is one of the quietest of the year, but many restaurants offer a Christmas Day menu, although you should book well in advance.
New Years Eve
As usual there is a large free party on the Balcon de Europa from 11pm with live music by Los Hados Negros. There will be a bar, but you can also bring your own Champagne and don’t forget the grapes to eat at Midnight.
The Three Kings
The next important day is the 6th January or Three Kings Day (Los Reyes). This is the day that the Three Kings arrived in Bethlehem, it is also the most important day for the children as the Three Kings in effect replace Father Christmas for Spanish children (although Santa is becoming popular). There is always a parade through the streets on the 5th of January starting at 5pm from Verano Azul park and ending at the Balcon, with the Three Kings throwing sweets to the crowds.
Report With Photos
What’s On
There is a free Christmas concert by Cale Nueva at 5.30pm on the Balcon de Europa on Monday 22nd December 2014.
The Church of El Salvador on the Balcon de Europa will have Midnight Mass sung by the Parish Choir on Christmas Eve.
The state-run El Gordo (the fat one) lottery will be drawn on December 22nd. Tickets are available from the lottery ticket office on Calle Cristo. The televised draw will be on in all the bars and restaurants in Nerja in the morning.
For the children, there will be a parade with Father Christmas starting at the town hall (where the Tourist Information office is) at 5pm on the 23rd. The route is (subject to confirmation) plaza Cavana, calle Carmen, Pintada, Angustias, plaza de la Ermita, calle Granada, plaza Cavana and Paseo Balcón de Europa
There are also various children’s shows on in the Nerja Cultural Centre (in Spanish) plus of course the Municipal Nativity Scene in the Sala Municipal on Calle Cristo until the 6th of January is a must see.
On Christmas Eve there is open air Carol Singing on the Balcon de Europa at 4pm.
Nerja’s Municipal Band will be holding a free concert on the Balcon de Europa to celebrate their 25th Anniversary. The event will take place at 1pm on Sunday the 28th of December 2014, conducted by José Pedro Almendro del Pino. The concert follows on from Saturday’s sold out performance in the Cultural Centre.
The music will cover a variety of different styles from classical to jazz
There is a Christmas cakes competition at Plaza de España on the 28th at 4.30pm and a children’s gymkana on the 22nd at 10am.
Abraham Mateo will be performing in Plaza de España (behind the town hall/tourist information) on Tuesday 30th of December. The concert starts at 8pm and is free of charge.
New Years Eve will see the traditional party on the Balcon from 11pm, with live music.
The Nerja Cultural Centre (on Calle Granda) has a series of Christmas concerts – call in at the Cultural Centre for more information and tickets to see what is on in the cultural centre over the festive period.
The Royal Postman will be collecting letters for Father Christmas on the 3rd of January in Plaza de España at 5pm and handing out gifts and sweets to the children.
On the 5th of January Los Reyes (the Three Kings) will parade through the streets of Nerja starting from Parque Verano Azul at 5pm, to celebrate the arrival of Spanish Christmas.
You can also pick up a leaflet “Navidad 2014/2015” at the tourist information office with all the Christmas events listed.
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