This year there are many Christmas activities in Malaga for both children and adults. I am going to review some of the most popular activities in December 2025 and January 2026, so that you can enjoy Christmas with family or children.
There is a large Nativity Scene, music, workshops and a children’s theatre in addition to the well-known and popular Christmas lighting that is inaugurated on 28 November 2025.
Nativity Scene in Malaga
If you are one of those who can’t spend Christmas without a Nativity Scene at home, you can’t miss the one they have made this year in Malaga. This Nativity Scene has an area of 250 square metres and shows a Christmas composition with 1900 figures, some of them moving, and more than 15,000 miniatures for the enjoyment of visitors.
For the creation of this Nativity scene has been taken into account biblical scenes and the representation also has some of the main monuments of Malaga such as the Dolmen of Menga, the Cave of Nerja, the Lighthouse of the Pier, come to find them all!
Location:
Exhibition Hall Entre Edificios of the Diputacion de Malaga (Map)
Schedule:
- Monday to Sunday 10:00 to 21:00 hours, until 6 January 2026. On 24 and 31 December from 10:00 to 14:00 hours. Closed on 25 December, 1 and 6 January.
Nativity Scene in Malaga Cathedral
In addition to the previous Nativity Scene, there is another one since 29 November 2025 in the Cathedral of Malaga. This Nativity Scene occupies 70 square metres and has a marine approach.
It has 400 figures and about 150 animals, all a craft work that has taken more than 35,000 hours of work. If you pay attention you will be able to see some monuments or spaces of Malaga.
- Schedule: From 10 to 2 pm and from 5 pm to 8.30 pm.
- Place: Malaga Cathedral (Map)
- Closed on 24 and 31 December and 5 January afternoons. Closed in the mornings on 25 December, 1 and 6 January.
Living Nativity Scene in Almayate
This year, the Living Nativity Scene in Almayate will not be held in 2025. The next edition is planned for December 2026.
The duration of this Nativity play is just over 2 hours.
Nativity Scenes map
There are other Nativity Scenes organised in the different municipalities of Malaga. Continue reading to know them or have a look at the map we have prepared with the most popular.
The dates or times of some may change from one year to another, so it is an indicative map:
Christmas activities for children and families
During these Christmas days there will be many children’s and family events in Malaga, let’s see some of the activities this year:
Ice skating in Malaga
During the month of December 2025 and until 6 January 2026 there are several ice skating rinks in some municipalities. There are also Christmas villages with a multitude of attractions for children.
This year you can find Andalusia’s largest ice skating rink in the Auditorio Municipal Cortijo de Torres in Malaga, as part of the Parque de Navidad Hielo Azul. Other rinks in Benalmádena (Palacio de Deportes) and Torremolinos (Plaza de la Nogalera, from 10 December to 8 January, closed 25 December and 1 January).
Christmas at Pier One – Muelle Uno
Muelle Uno in the Port of Malaga is usually every year the venue for various activities for all audiences during the month of December, including a Christmas market.
Santa Claus and Christmas Village
Pier One celebrates this Christmas in Malaga with a recreation of a Christmas village where you will find a polar igloo shelter, lake, polar bears and lots of Christmas lights.
As every year, children will visit Santa Claus. The Snow Village at Pier One can be visited free of charge until 5 January 2026.
There will also be a treasure hunt for families from the long weekend in December and storytelling on weekends.
Light show
Every 5 minutes and during the week until the 5th of January 2026 this videomapping show takes place over the Chapel with music and lights in Muelle Uno.
- Monday to Thursday: 6.30 pm to 9.00 pm.
- No shows on 25th December and 1st of January.
Christmas Village in Malaga
Corte Ingles mall organises the so-called Christmas Village in the centre of Malaga which has several typical Christmas attractions for all ages, including Javier Fernández ice skating rink from 4 December 2025 to 6 January 2026:
- Children’s Ferris wheel
- Children’s adventure circuit
- Slide and sledge
- Christmas train
- Ice skating rink
- Snow city
- Carousel
You can find official information here.
Christmas storytelling for children in Malaga
Among this year’s Christmas activities you can find some typical plays that are organised at Sala Tragasueños in Pedregalejo (Avenida Juan Sebastián Elcano, 20). These activities are especially suitable for children aged 4 and over, although younger children have free admission and are sure to enjoy themselves too.
This year a magical black light Christmas storytelling will be presented.
- When: Weekends in December 2025
- Where:
Avenida Juan Sebastián Elcano, 20 (Map) - Price: The price is 7€ per person, and tickets must be booked in advance by WhatsApp: 661 169 975.
Estepona Christmas Program
Christmas comes to Estepona in December 2025 with activities for all ages. Most of the events will take place in the Plaza Antonia Guerrero (map).
- 28th November: Official switch-on of the Christmas lights in Plaza Antonia Guerrero at 7:00 pm.
- 16th December: Christmas Sweets Competition.
- 17 December: Christmas Market with craft stalls, books and typical gastronomy in the Orquidario Botanical Garden Park (until 6 January 2026, from 18.00 to 23.00 hours from Monday to Thursday, and from 12.00 to 00.00 hours on weekends and holidays).
- 17 December: Free performances and concerts starting on 17 December at 20.00.
- 19 December: Concert ‘Christmas Wishes’ by mezzo-soprano Clarice Williams and play ‘A Christmas Carol’.
- 23 December, at 8 p.m. Santa Claus arrives at the Christmas Market.
- 28 December at 20.00: The Nutcracker Moscow Ballet. Tickets in advance at tafestepona.com and Viajes Carrefour.
- 31st December: The party and fun moves to the Plaza del Reloj at 23.00 (map), where the New Year’s Eve Party will take place. There will be fireworks and musical performances.
- 3 and 4 January: From 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., the Royal Postman will be at the Christmas Market collecting letters addressed to the Three Wise Men from the East.
Full programme here.
Marbella Christmas Program
Marbella has organised a very complete Christmas programme with many activities for family and children. It starts on 28 November 2025 with the lighting switch-on.
Children’s activities and shows
From 28 November Christmas in Marbella starts with children’s parties in the Paseo de la Alameda and parades through the old town.
The Royal Postman will be available at the Plaza de la Alameda from 13 December 2025 and will be available until 24 December. In the same place we will find the Three Wise Men from 27 December 2025 to 4 January 2026.
Christmas Parades and Living Nativity Scene
There will be a multitude of Christmas parades that children will certainly enjoy:
Cavalcade of the Three Wise Men along Avenidas Ramón y Cajal and Ricardo Soriano on 5 January 2026.
New Year’s Eve in Marbella
The closing of the year starts at midday for the little ones. There will be a children’s party so that the children can say goodbye to the year and at midnight the party will be in the same place for the adults. In past editions it took place in the Plaza de la Iglesia.
Torremolinos Christmas Program
In Torremolinos Christmas starts on 6 December 2025 with the switching on of the Christmas lights by Luz Casal.
The typical Christmas market will be available from 6 December 2025 to 5 January 2026.
The Battery Park has an ice skating rink and bouncy castles for the little ones this year. The so-called Christmas Park will be open from 6 December 2025.
Nativity Scene of Torremolinos
Located on the ground floor of the town hall of Torremolinos is this Nativity Scene that has more than 500 small figures and a neat decoration.
It can be visited from Monday to Friday from 9.00 am to 1.30 pm and from 5.30 pm to 7.30 pm (24 and 31 December 2025) and is closed to the public on 25 December 2025 and 1 January 2026.
Fuengirola Christmas Program
28th November: This year Christmas in Fuengirola starts on 28th November 2025. It will be from 5:45 pm with the Municipal Nativity Scene in the Plaza de los Reyes Católicos.
6.30 pm, the official opening of the exhibition ‘The Magic of Christmas’ will take place in the City Museum.
7.30 pm, “one of the most awaited moments: The official lighting of the artistic Christmas lights at Plaza de España”.
8.30 pm: The Christmas Market in Fuengirola begins and will be open until 21 December 2025 in the Plaza de la Constitución.
Other Christmas activities
If you want to go Christmas shopping and enjoy the Christmas atmosphere of the province you can take a look at the list of Christmas markets in Malaga this year. Some highlights: Mercadillo del Paseo del Parque (28 November – 6 January), Mercado de Navidad at Muelle Uno, Feria Sabor a Málaga, Mercado Artesanal de La Merced.
However if you prefer to find some typical Christmas activity outdoors you may prefer ice-skating in Malaga. It is an activity for everyone, although you have to be well prepared, in the article I’ll tell you more.
You can also visit MIMA Malaga, a children’s fair with all kinds of activities for children of all ages, including ice rink, climbing wall and more. By what I’ve been told they love enjoying this space where they will make many new friends their age. (Typical dates: 26 December – 4 January, check official site).
During one week in December (15th to 21st) there will be a traditional Andalusian patio competition with musical performances and a festive atmosphere for all audiences. From theatre performances for children to flamenco evenings and tasting of typical products.
Remember in Malaga the Night of the Three Kings with a parade and much fun for children on the 5th of January 2026.
Transport during Christmas
If you want to visit any of the events and Christmas activities then you can use the public transport or another means of transport. Due the popularity of those places during this season, I can recommend malagatransfer.co.uk; it is a private transfer service that will pick you up when you decide and return at the time you request for a fair price. You can have fun without transport worries.
If you are driving your car, you can use any of the public parking available.
More useful information
If you are planning to visit Malaga in winter you may find the next article useful. We offer you other activities not related to Christmas and a guide on everything you need to know about the months of December and January in Malaga.