CHRISTMAS 2020 IN MARBELLA
Christmas 2020 is here! Spanish holiday season begins with the Feast of Immaculate Conception (December 8th) and ends with Three Kings’ Celebration (January 6th). This year, usual activities are modified to reduce the spread of COVID-19 to keep our families, friends and communities healthy and safe. EL PAIS informed “a meeting of central and regional authorities ended with no consensus over the government’s plan”.
At Christmas ‘all roads lead home’. Spain will enjoy family meal and reconnecting with close friends from December 23 to January 6. Not Andalusia. On December 24 – 25 our government allows to gather 10 family members (including children), but not friends; for remaining Christmas season, maximum 6.
MARBELLA CHRISTMAS MARKET
From December 18, people can travel from one Andalusian province to another (movement to other regions restricted). Families cannot go on Christmas and New Year vacation for a week, as usual. Apart from this, there is still a lot to do! A modification to the rules allows hospitality establishments to keep their doors open until half an hour before the scheduled curfew of 1.30am on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve. You can celebrate the festive season at one of luxury hotels. Many restaurants offer X-mas Brunch. Many events are happening (Gospel Choirs, Breakfast with Santa, Buffets, Santa Claus Gift Distribution, Christmas Dinners, Brunches, etc.). In Internet you can discover Events near you and get your tickets booked. Bars and restaurants must close from 6pm and can reopen from 8pm to 10.30pm.
Don’t forget that we are living on the ‘Costa del Golf’. Some local golf clubs offer Christmas Tournaments (Torneo de Navidad).
RIO REAL GOLF – CHRISTMAS TOURNAMENT
Christmas Markets.
As always, people decorate their homes and Christmas trees. You can visit Christmas Markets (Mercadillo Navideño) in Marbella and Puerto Banús. This year the famous port also has a Christmas village with wonderful activities for children.
MARBELLA CHRISTMAS MARKET
Christmas Lights.
If you have “relatives” to visit in Malaga you can enjoy a festive atmosphere of famous Calle Larios Lights. Do you know that the company responsible for Christmas lighting in Malaga also provides lighting for New York’s Fifth Avenue, Las Vegas, Dubai and Hong Cong? Traditional Light and Music Shows are cancelled but stunning Malaga Lights are there already! Beautiful lights are also installed in Puerto Banús, San Pedro (Calle Marques del Duero) and Marbella (Avenida Ricardo Soriano).
MARBELLA CHRISTMAS MARKET
Christmas National Lottery.
For generations, Christmas in Spain has been linked to a lottery El Gordo (Fatty), the world’s oldest and biggest lottery. This year is not an exception. The families and employees buy a complete lottery number and share it. Many Spaniards give lottery tickets as a Christmas gift.
MARBELLA CHRISTMAS MARKET
New Year’s Eve (Nochevieja).
Unlike Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve is usually celebrated with friends. On December 31st crowds of people in Spain swallow traditional 12 “lucky grapes”, one at each of 12 bell strikes of Madrid’s Puerta del Sol tower clock, and raise a glass of cava. This year on 31 December and 1 January the assembly ban is set at maximum of 10 people (family only).
MARBELLA CHRISTMAS MARKET
Epiphany / Tres Reyes Magos.
Children may receive small gifts on Nochebuena (December 24) or Día de Navidad (December 25) but they wait for Three Kings’ arrival who leave gifts on January 5th and 6th. Santa Claus (Papa Noel) is a secondary character of Christmas feasts.
Marbella’s mayor Ángeles Muñoz informed that, as a great novelty, the traditional Parade will take place on January 5 in a “static format” on Av. Ricardo Soriano. The circuit will be fenced and strict hygiene-sanitary security measures will be taken. From December 17 the attendees have to book in advance via municipal department of Fiestas telephone (952 768 756).
MARBELLA CHRISTMAS MARKET
‘Perlas del Mar’ team wishes everyone a very safe Merry Christmas and hopeful Happy New Year!
Stay with us in the coming year!
SOCIAL MEDIA VERSION
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