Christmas in Granada - Market, Three Wise Men Parade, Nativity Scenes

At Christmas, Granada's streets sparkle with a dazzling display of thousands of lights and festive decorations, creating a magical atmosphere.


The streets are alive with the melodies of Christmas carols as people shop, meet friends, or enjoy leisurely walks with family, all immersed in the enchanting festive atmosphere that surrounds the city.

The Three Wise Men Parade - 5th January

On the January 5th, the Three Kings (Reyes Magos) arrive in town bearing sweets and toys for the children.

Children and many adults take to the streets to receive 'los Reyes Magos' (literally 'the Magician Kings'), who walk the streets promising many gifts for the next day.

It's a spectacular parade with fantastic carriages, music and over a thousand people wearing lovely costumes taking part in it. In Spain, the parade celebrating the arrival of the Three Wise Men is called Cabalgata de Reyes.

Thousands of children and adults enjoy such an amazing display of lights, colors, and music, bearing the cold with a smile while trying to 'catch' some of the sweets and gifts thrown by their Majesties and their pages.

This parade symbolizes the arrival of the Three Wise Men in Bethlehem and is the most special night of the year for Spanish children. It's the night when their Christmas presents arrive.

It departs from the historic centre of the city at 17:30, passes through some of the adjacent neighbourhoods and arrives at the Town Hall around 21:30.

The Three Wise Men Parade Route Map, 5th January

The parade will follow its traditional route through the city: starting at the Centro Cultural Gran Capitan and ending at Granada Town Hall.

New Year's Day - 1st January

The first day of the New Year is a quiet day in Granada, as many people sleep all day, and all shops are closed. It's also very difficult to find a bar or restaurant open.

Like in many other cities around the world, the traditional New Year's Concert takes place in Granada on this day, usually at the beautiful Auditorio Manuel de Falla, located on the hill where the the Alhambra is.

However, on the 2nd of January, the town is ready to celebrate again. This date holds great historical importance for Granada and Spain, and it's a local holiday in the work calendar.

Dia de la Toma - 2nd January

On the 2nd of January of 1492, Boabdil, the last Nasrid king of Granada, delivered the Alhambra and his kingdom to Ferdinand and Isabella, the Catholic Monarchs.

Granada was the last Moorish and Muslim kingdom in the peninsula, and this day marks the close of a very important period in the history of Granada.

Traditionally, celebrations begin at the Capilla Real (Royal Chapel) of the Cathedral, where the Catholic Monarchs are buried.

After the mass, celebrations move to the Town Hall, where the youngest person in the local government raises the city banner from the main balcony.

This historic day has been celebrated in this manner for more than 500 years. However, new voices are emerging among the people of Granada, advocating for a change to adapt the ceremony to present-day practices.

Another ritual, less polemic than the pevious one, used to take place in Granada every 2nd of January. On the top of the most important tower of the Alhambra, the Candle Tower (Torre de la Vela), many women wanted to ring its bell.

According to the tradition if they do so, will get married before the year ends.

The Three Wise Men Parade Times, 5th January

Here are the approximate schedule for the Granada Three Kings Parade, including estimated departure and arrival times.

Epiphany Day (Día de Reyes) - 6th January

On the 6th of January Spain celebrates the Día de Reyes (Epiphany Day), and most families gather at home to eat the traditional Christmas cake called Roscón de Reyes and open the presents they found in the morning.

It's a national holiday, and all the shops are closed in Granada. Additionally, children are on holiday as the Christmas break in Spain lasts until the 7th or 8th of January.

The tradional Roscón is a large donut-shaped cake filled with cream that most bakeries make in Granada. Be careful when you bite into it because this nice cake is filled not just with cream.

Traditionally, a small clay figure and a broad bean are hidden inside it. If you find the little king in your piece, you'll be crowned the king or queen of the day. If you find the broad bean, you'll have to pay for the cake.

Other Main Leisure and Entertainment Areas in Granada

Traditional Flamenco - Fun Way to Celebrate Christmas

To experience how Christmas is celebrated in Andalusia, attend a flamenco show accompanied by instruments such as the tambourine or the zambomba.

This popular festival has been celebrated here since the 18th century and is known for its spontaneity and joy.

The main instruments are the zambomba and the tambourine, hence its name, although everyone joins in using improvised instruments like the bottle of anise or palm branches.

Some of the recommended places in Granada are Flamenco Show at La Soleá or Flamenco Show La Alboreá.

Many events take place in the streets of Granada during these days: Christmas concerts, traditional Christmas markets, Nativity scenes (belenes), and the New Year's Eve party in front of the Town Hall.

Thousands of people gather there to eat the traditional lucky grapes (doce uvas de la suerte) and celebrate the New Year together.

Leisure activities in Granada are concentrated around Plaza Bib Rambla, Paseo del Salón, and Plaza del Humilladero, where visitors can enjoy a variety of attractions, including an ice skating rink, a sledding ramp, and zip lines.

This Christmas, Paseo del Violón will also offer special holiday activities, with a giant Ferris wheel installed in front of the Palacio de Congresos.

These attractions will begin operating on Friday, December 29, 2024, and will remain open until January 7. The operating hours will be from 11:00 to 15:00 and 17:00 to 21:00.

Children and adults enjoy visiting the many Nativity scenes (belenes) that spring up all over Granada competing for recognition and awards from the Town Hall.

In Spain, traditionally, Christmas gifts are exchanged on the 6th of January, Epiphany Day.

Nativity Scenes (Belenes), 15 December - 6 January

Each year, the Town Hall organizes a contest to promote this tradition and awards the best 'Belenes' in town according to three categories: artisanal, traditional, and popular.

This visual representation of the birth of Jesus is a tradition dating back to the thirteenth century or even earlier.

If you are interested, visit some of the approximately 30 Nativity Scenes in Granada. The following map shows their location.

And if you wish to set up your own belén at home, visit the Christmas market at Plaza Bib-Rambla.

Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve

Christmas Eve (Nochebuena) - 24th December 2024

During the day, friends and colleagues might meet to have a drink and tapas. In the evening, people gather at home to enjoy a meal with their families. This celebration holds great importance for families during Christmas.

It's typical for many relatives to come together around the table, celebrating by singing carols, enjoying drinks, and indulging in a plentiful feast.

All shops close earlier on this day. However, bars, clubs, and pubs open later at night, inviting people to go out after the family dinner to dance and enjoy the night.

Some people like attending the traditional midnight mass "misa del gallo" wich takes place at different times in each church.

You have to check the timetable at the church in the days leading up to the event. There is a very beautiful 'misa del gallo' at San Pedro and San Pablo church church by the river Darro.

It's celebrated with the choir of the Hermandad Rociera de Granada, and they sing flamenco carols during the mass.

Christmas Day (Día de Navidad) - 25th December 2024

On Christmas Eve children may receive some gifts, but the traditional day for the gifts is the Epiphany Day on the 6th of January.

The Reyes Magos (the three wise men) bring gifts to children the previous night.

Christmas Day is a national holiday in Spain and all shops are closed. It´s a day to relax and rest from the excesses of the previous night.

New Year's Eve (Nochevieja) - 31st December 2024

The Spanish tradition says that on New Year's Eve, at the stroke of midnight, one must eat a grape for each chime of the bell. This is believed to guarantee plenty of good luck for the New Year.

Across the country, celebrations kick off at the main squares of towns, such as Puerta del Sol in Madrid, right in front of the Town Hall's clock, where everyone gathers to eat the grapes together.

This special moment is broadcasted by all channels, and families gather around the television to eat their twelve grapes together.

Granada is no exception, and on New Year's Eve, the Town Hall organizes a big party at at Plaza del Carmen with live music and fireworks.

Long before midnight, party bags known as 'cotillón,' containing twelve grapes, party hats, masks, blowers, etc., are distributed among the people.

Celebrations continue all night long, first on the streets and then at pubs, clubs, discos and private parties.

At dawn, just before heading home, it's customary to have hot chocolate with 'churros' to follow the tradition.

Christmas Illumination

Christmas Lights in Granada

During the weekends, the streets of Reyes Católicos and Gran Vía to Cárcel Baja will be closed to traffic.

The Christmas lights in Granada will shine from November 30 to January 7. In the city center, the lights will be on from 6:30 PM to 1:00 AM from Monday to Thursday, and until 3:00 AM on weekends and holiday eves.

On Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, the lights will stay on until 5:00 AM.

Christmas Lights in the Neighborhoods

In the neighborhoods, the lights will have a shorter schedule, turning off at midnight from Monday to Thursday, and at 1:00 AM on weekends and holiday eves.

On Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, the lights will remain on until 3:00 AM.

Once again this year, there will be a spectacular light show and carols in the Plaza del Carmen, in front of the Town Hall, three times a day: at 7:30 PM, 8:30 PM, and 9:30 PM.

Christmas Shopping - During All Christmas

There are several areas of Christmas shopping in Granada. Major clothing brands like Zara, H & M, Mango, Promod, and others are located near Puerta Real.

There are also many small and very interesting original shops. Undoubtedly, you should visit the following streets: Recogidas, Reyes Católicos, Zacatín, Mesones and Alhóndiga.

If you're looking for toys, there is an interesting shop called Eureka on Calle Alhóndiga.

Christmas Market, 1 December - 6 January

Every year, during the month of December until the 6th of January, the traditional Christmas market takes place in Plaza Bib-Rambla.

You can find traditional Nativity figures and everything you need to decorate your home at Christmas.

There is also a market around Puerta Real selling traditional Christmas sweets made by nuns in local convents, wooden toys, and various types of crafts like leather, ceramics, silver, and more.

Christmas Lottery (La Lotería de Navidad) - 22nd December

Another Spanish Christmas tradition is the Christmas Lottery, 'La Lotería de Navidad,' which is the biggest of the year.

It is drawn on December 22nd, and people usually follow the event on TV or on the radio if they are working. It's a classic tradition.

If you have a chance to watch it, you will see why it's very entertaining, even if you can't understand a word. This is the first day of the school holidays and marks the beginning of the season.

If you are lucky, you can win millions of euros. Tickets cost 20 euros, if you buy them in the official shops, or 25 euros if you buy them somewhere else.

Everybody is hoping to win the biggest prize, 'el gordo,' which is 400,000 euros per ticket. However, there are a total of 1,807 prizes.

It's very common for people to share different numbers with friends, colleagues, and family. Additionally, many shops, associations, charities, etc., sell small shares or participations of a number that they have acquired.

Usually, Spanish people spend an average of 70 euros on the Christmas Lottery.

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The oldest in Spain

The AlcoyThree Kings Parade is the oldest in Spain, documented as far back as 1885. And without a doubt, it is also the best.

In Alcoy, they would take a stroll around the town

The oldest recorded representation of the Three Wise Men in Spain took place in Granada. While the parade in Alcoy may have involved a walk around the village, the original idea and its execution were first realized in Granada.

Too much advertising

The candies, all with advertising, and even the floats themselves are covered in ads... They could include more Disney characters and throw different types of sweets instead of focusing so much on advertising. It would make the experience more enjoyable for everyone, especially the children.

Just have a good time

The parades are for children to enjoy and have a good time, that's the most important thing. It doesn't matter which one is older or more fashionable; these are pointless debates. And whether the candy has advertising on it doesn't matter either.

Christmas in granada

Absolutely amazing at Christmas, we have been coming for the past 3 years for Christmas and the new year and we love it.been coming here for 15 years, 12 in the summer which is also amazing but we love December as it’s not as hit and we can explore. Love love love Granada, it’s our favourite place on earth.