What to do at Christmas time in Granada 

 

If you are thinking of visiting Granada during the Christmas season, you have already made a good choice.

 

In this article you will find a list of activities you can do in Granada during Christmas time.

 

Granada is amazing all year, but at Christmas time could be even better, there are a lot of traditions during Christmas time that you can read in that article.

 

The streets became a combination of lights, colors, people, and activities.

 

This year, Granada’s festivities follow the slogan “Vive la Navidad, vive Granada”. 🌲🎄

 

Many people come for skiing but, with the snowy peaks of the Sierra Nevada as a backdrop, all the festive lights and seasonal attractions combine to make the city a magical place to visit at this time of year.

 

Do not miss these Christmas activities in Granada!

 

Christmas lights

 

Granada switched on its Christmas lights on 1 December. The big switch-on illuminated Granada with more than two million LED bulbs.

 

The lights will be visible in all these busy streets: Plaza del Carmen, Fuente de las Batallas, which will have 3D illuminated figures and a walkable star; Reyes Católicos, with 16 arches of light; Recogidas, with 18 arches of light; Bib Rambla, which will have some thirty special motifs in the shape of bears and rockets, or Carrera de la Virgen, where there will be 14 arches in the shape of a butterfly wing in white and red. In the latter two places, there will also be large decorations, such as a 20-metre fir tree or special porticoes for traffic.

 

Other places in the Centre will also have special lighting. This is the case of Ganivet, Mesones, Puentezuelas, Zacatín, Elvira, San Antón and Pescadería, with different motifs and colours.

Nativity Scenes

 

One of the most popular traditions in the city is to visit ‘’Belenes’’ (portals of Bethlehem).

 

Nativity scenes can be found all over the city. It is a Christmas tradition that goes back centuries, and every year there is a competition, organised by the town hall, to find the best Nativity Scene.

 

This year 2023, I recommend you visit the following:

 

• Municipal Nativity Scene. It is located in the courtyard of the Town Hall of Granada. It can be visited from Thursday 14th December until 4th January, from Monday to Sunday from 11:00 to 14:00 and from 17:30 to 21:00. The opening hours are different on the 24th from 11:00 to 14:00 and from 17:30 to 19:30, on the 31st from 11:00 to 14:00 and on the 1st and 2nd of January from 17:30 to 21:00.

 

• Traditional Nativity Scene. Located in the Plaza del Humilladero. It can be visited from the 1st of December until the 6th of January during business hours.

 

• Traditional Nativity Scene. Located in the Carrera de la Virgen, inside the El Corte Inglés department store. It will be available for visits during business hours from 23 November to 6 January.

Christmas Concerts

 

One of the Christmas activities in Granada are the Christmas concerts. You can find concerts of all kinds. The most outstanding are the following:

 

• 14 December. Christmas Concert by the Municipal Music Band, in the Isabel la Católica Municipal Theatre at 18:00 and 20:00.

 

• 15th December: Candlelight. “Tribute to Queen” in the Carmen de los Mártires at 19:00 and 21:00. 15 December.

 

• 15 December: Patrimonio Flamenco Otoño. “Zambomba Flamenca en el Sacromonte” in La Chumbera at 21:00.

 

• 15 December: Patrimonio Flamenco Otoño. “Zambomba así canta Graná en Navidad” in the Chumbera at 21:00.

 

• 15 and 16 December: Ciudad de Granada Orchestra. “Participative Messiah” in the Manuel de Falla Auditorium at 19:30.

 

• 17th December: Piano with flavour. Soprano Sabina Puértolas and Rubén Fernández Aguirre, in the Manuel de Falla Auditorium at 12:00.

 

• 20 December: “Navidad con Habichuela y amigos” with Habichuela nieto in the Isabel la Católica Municipal Theatre at 21:00.

 

• 21st December: City of Granada Orchestra. “Popular Christmas Carols of the World” in the Manuel de Falla Auditorium at 18:00 and 20:00.

 

• 22 December: Family Christmas. Greatest Hits of Pop and Cinema, in the Manuel de Falla Auditorium at 19:00.

 

• 22 December: Autumn Flamenco Heritage. “Villancicos de Sacromonte” in the Chumbera at 21:00.

 

• 23 December: Autumn Flamenco Heritage. “Zambomba flamenca de los Heredia” in the Chumbera at 21:00.

 

• 29 December: Granada is Music. “La troupe flamenca cantes y bailes para despedir el año con alegría” in the Chumbera at 21:00.

 

• 2nd January: New Year’s Concert. Orquesta Filarmonía Granada, in the Manuel de Falla Auditorium at 19:00.

Christmas markets in Granada

 

Christmas markets are already a tradition throughout Europe, so the wonderful city of Granada is not far behind.

 

Granada has its main Christmas market in Plaza Bib-Rambla, the central square of Granada and the starting point to visit the city center.

 

From 17th November to 5th January, you can enjoy the traditional market of handmade nativity scenes that every year floods the streets with Christmas atmosphere and good food. Without a doubt, a visit to this traditional market is not to be missed.

 

In addition, this year in Puerta Real, around the Fuente de las Batallas, you can find the Christmas Craft Market. Here you will find stalls with gift items, local products, handmade articles, typical Christmas sweets, etc.

 

The opening hours of both markets will be from 11:00 to 14:00 and from 17:00 to 21:30 from Monday to Sunday.

Visit the ‘’Cartero Real’’ to give him the letter

 

Towards the end of December, the little ones can enjoy visiting the “Cartero Real”. This Christmas activity usually takes place in the Town Hall of Granada, located in the Plaza del Carmen. It is the Spanish equivalent of Santa’s Grotto. One of the three Wise Men is ready to accept your Christmas list from the 19th of December until the 4th of January.

 

The opening hours will be from 11:30 to 14:00 and from 17:30 to 20:30 every day. The following days will have special opening hours. 25 and 31 December from 11:30 to 14:00 and from 17:30 to 19:30 and on 1 and 2 January from 17:30 to 20:30.

 

As a novelty, this year the Heraldo de Sus Majestades de Oriente will announce the arrival of the kings Melchor, Gaspar and Baltasar on the 3rd of January by means of a parade through the Nasrid capital.

 

Cabalgata of The Three Kings

 

Another very Spanish tradition you can experience while in Granada over the holidays is the Cabalgata which is a grand parade that takes place in the city center on the night of 5 January.

 

This year we are bringing back the traditional route, starting in Gran Capitán Street and finishing in the Plaza del Carmen.

 

This is a magical night: people of all ages all over Spain take to the street to greet the Three Kings and children enjoy this night as the best of the year.

 

The day after, all the children receive presents from the Three Kings, so to see them the night before makes this date a special day on the calendar.

Granada Christmas Sweets

 

The Spanish celebrate Christmas by eating lots of Shellfish. The main meal on Christmas Eve is often turkey or lamb.

 

Chocolate and Churros, of course, are the best Christmas breakfast for an indulgent start to the day. Sweets are typical too, particularly Marzapan figures and lots of almond nougat, which they call turron. ‘’Polvorones’’ and ‘’mantecados’’ are popular as well.

 

But, undoubtedly, the best homemade Christmas sweets are those of the convents. If you want to order online, it is now possible to order directly from the Real Monasterio de la Madre De Dios de las Comendadoras De Santiago or go directly to the Monastery located at Calle Santiago, 20.

Ski next to the city of Granada

 

During Christmas time, skiing is another of the most popular options to do in Granada.

 

Over the Christmas Holidays, the Sierra Nevada Ski Station is open. Choose to stay there or just head up on a day trip from the city. If you choose to drive up, check road conditions. Some parts of the road may need chains depending on the weather.

New eve in Granada

 

New Year’s Eve is one of the best moments of the whole year. The nostalgia of the year gone by coupled with excitement for the year to come makes New Year’s Eve (called ‘’nochevieja’’ in Spain) one of the most highly anticipated fiestas of the season.

 

Every year the people of Granada gather in the Plaza del Carmen to celebrate the New Year to the sound of bells and music.

 

This year, there will be a distribution of cotillion bags and grapes, fireworks and a verbena enlivened by the group “El beso de Judas”.

 

While some choose to ring in the new year in the comfort of their home, others gather in the city center to celebrate with friends.

 

No matter where you celebrate, there’s one thing everyone on New Year’s Eve in Spain and also in Granada does together: eat the ‘’uvas’’. The traditional 12 New Year’s grapes are eaten at the stroke of midnight, one for each chime of the clock.

 

Don’t forget to make a wish!

Have fun in the ‘Christmas Town’ of Granada

 

This is a perfect plan if you are planning to come to Granada at Christmas time with the kids.

 

The city has inaugurated a large area of Christmas attractions on the Paseo del Salón. It will be open from 1 December to 6 January, from 11:00 to 14:00 and from 17:00 to 21:00.

 

This village will bring together all kinds of facilities, but especially focused on children. There will be zip lines, carousels, adventure park, Christmas train, jumping, sledging, ice rink, ziz-zag slide and skating rink.

 

In addition, the whole family will be able to enjoy a 30-metre Ferris wheel on the Explanada of the Palacio de Congresos.

Come to enjoy Christmas activities in Granada

 

I totally recommend you to visit Granada during Christmas time. The city is a different experience that you cannot miss!

 

Finally, if you are thinking of visiting Granada, let me be your hostess!

 

I’m a tourism professional and official tourist guide for more than a decade. I am a specialist in Granada’s historical and artistic heritage.

 

With me, you can discover monuments, neighborhoods, and the lives of historical characters as a local.

 

I also invite you to click the link below to download my free Ebook with all you need to know before visiting Granada.