Streets decorated and illuminated with spectacular artistic lighting, outdoor markets with typical products and squares with live music. This is Christmas on the Costa del Sol. A destination where tradition and avant-garde are mixed, and with an intense cultural activity that offers leisure alternatives for all audiences.
Theatre, music and dance at Christmas
On 17th December, an original review of Shakespeare's classic 'Hamlet' arrives at the Cervantes Theatre.
For music and dance lovers, the Royal Russian Ballet will stage 'The Nutcracker' and 'Swan Lake' on the 19th and the 20th December respectively. Then, it is the turn of the traditional flamenco style Christmas carols, interpreted by the Andalusian artists Encarni Navarro and Maria Jose Santiago.
On 2nd January, this stage will host the Malaga Philharmonic Orchestra, which will offer its New Year's concert. Two days later it will pay homage to Walt Disney at the Edgar Neville Auditorium, with themes from 'The Beauty and the Beast', 'Pocahontas' and 'The Little Mermaid'.
The rhythm of Christmas
The Christmas atmosphere will also take over the Echegaray Theatre on 18 December with the performance of ‘Malaga de Camara’. But if you are looking for some local music, don’t miss on days 21, 22 and 23 'La zambomba de mi patio', a flamenco Christmas sound accompanied with joyful dancing.
On these special days, different churches of the Costa del Sol organise performances of sacred music and carols. The most outstanding event is the Christmas concert of the Cathedral of Malaga, which blends vocal and instrumental pieces.
The Costa del Sol, pure spectacle
The calendar of the Ciudad de Marbella Theatre for these dates includes a Christmas Concert on 10th December, 'Swan Lake' a week later and the musical 'Tarzan' on the 29th and 30th. Of the same genre is the version of 'Alice in Wonderland' that will land in the Felipe VI Auditorium of Estepona and on 2nd January.
In Mijas, Las Lagunas Theatre will host a dance gala on 16 December, and the performance of 'A Christmas Tale' on the 18th. Very near, in Fuengirola, the Gospel Factory Choir will perform on the 17th in the church of El Carmen, while on the 23rd the Municipal Band of Music will perform in the Palacio de la Paz with its Christmas Concert.
The 'Zambomba Flamenca' on 10 December, is another opportunity to see these typical performances of the Andalusian Christmas. The ‘Navidad Internacional' show will take place a week later and will put the soundtrack to the festivities at the Vicente Espinel Theatre of Ronda. Also in Velez-Malaga, music will take centre stage, this time with the Flamenco Festival "Juan Breva" at the Teatro del Carmen on the 17th of that same month.
Singular Purchases
As typical as carols are the Christmas markets that are installed in the towns and cities of Malaga. Those of the Paseo del Parque and Muelle Uno, in Malaga capital, beside those of Torremolinos, Fuengirola, Mijas or Marbella which also are a must. Another is the Ronda market, which is located next to the Bullring and the Tajo.
At the craft markets you will find all sorts of handmade pieces, which can be the perfect gift for these dates. Besides this there are also stalls of typical food products and articles of these dates ... not forgetting the traditional figurines of the Nativity scene or instruments such as tambourines and “zambombas”, a Christmas instrument typical of Spain.
