December in Axarquía - From Christmas Lights, Migas to Midnight Grapes
MORE ADDITIONS TO BE EXPECTED AS NOT ALL HAVE YET BEEN OFFICIALLY PUBLISHED. Work in progress.
Check the Calendar on Homepage, for all Nerja Cultural Centre Events.
As the year draws to a close, the Axarquía lights up with festivals, flavours, and family traditions that fill every village with Andalusian joy. From the sparkle of Málaga’s Christmas lights to the aroma of Torrox’s famous migas, it’s a month to celebrate community, warmth, and local pride. Here’s your Nerja Amigos calendar of what’s happening across December — and into the magical days of January.
28th November - Malaga Christmas Lights
The official switch-on of the 2025 Christmas lights will take place on Friday 28 November 2025. From that evening, the city centre will be bathed in twinkling light right through until 5 January 2026, just before the traditional Three Kings’ Day celebrations. Timings for Light Show daily: 18:30 h 20:30 h 22:00 h
5 December - Christmas Lights Switch On in Nerja
The inauguration of the Municipal Nativity Scene at the Tourist Office at 17.30, with the participation of the Pastoral group from Las Protegidas. Afterwards, the Christmas lights switch-on will take place, which this year will be held in Plaza de España at 18.30, featuring a street parade by Carpa Teatro.
6 December – Día de la Constitución Española 🇪🇸
Spain’s Constitution Day marks the start of the festive season. Offices, banks, and many shops close, and families take advantage of the long weekend for short escapes or early Christmas shopping.
8 December – La Inmaculada Concepción
A national holiday celebrating the Immaculate Conception. Churches hold special services, and towns across the Axarquía officially switch on their Christmas lights. Expect music, choirs, and the first festive markets of the season.
4–9 December – Málaga Fair
A feast for food lovers! Held on the Paseo del Parque, this regional market brings together over 100 producers from across Málaga province — including the Axarquía’s own honey, olive oils, wines, jams, and Christmas sweets. A wonderful pre-Christmas outing from Nerja.
Early December – Lights & Markets Across the Axarquía ✨
By the first week of December, the entire region shines.
Vélez-Málaga & Torre del Mar: “Ciudad de la Navidad” brings daily shows, choirs, and markets to plazas and promenades.
Rincón de la Victoria: its festive programme runs from early December to 5 January, mixing concerts, workshops, and food trucks.
Frigiliana, Torrox, Algarrobo, and Canillas de Albaida: hold charming Christmas markets with local crafts and homemade treats — perfect weekend strolls in the mountain light.
14 December, the Rosario de Campanilleros, in Nerja (more info to come).
19 December - Christmas Market and Park. In plaza de España, the Christmas Park and Market will open, (traditional Christmas carol procession) of María Santísima de los Desamparados will be celebrated.
21 December – Fiesta de las Migas, Torrox 🍳
The most famous December event in the Axarquía! Every year, the Sunday before Christmas, thousands gather in Torrox for a giant celebration of migas — a humble dish of fried breadcrumbs, garlic, and olive oil. Add music, local wine, and laughter, and you have one of the warmest fiestas of the year.
21 December - the Las Protegidas Living Nativity (Belén Viviente) will take place in Nerja ( more info to come).
22 December - Father Christmas (Papá Noel) will visit Maro. ( more information to come).
23 December - the Christmas Parade (Cabalgata) will be held in Nerja. ( more info to come).
24 December – Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) 🎄
Shops and offices close early as families gather for their main festive meal — roast lamb, seafood, and turrón. Midnight Mass (Misa del Gallo) fills the churches, and Nerja’s streets glow softly with candlelight and carols.
25 December – Navidad (Christmas Day) 🎁
A peaceful day in Spain. Most towns are quiet, with families celebrating at home. Enjoy the stillness — a Christmas morning walk along Burriana Beach or the Balcón de Europa is pure magic.
28 December – Fiesta Mayor de Verdiales (Málaga) 🎶
In Puerto de la Torre (just outside Málaga city), this vibrant folk festival fills the streets with pandas de verdiales — musicians in decorated hats playing violins, tambourines, and castanets. It’s joyful, noisy, and deeply Andalusian.
Late December – Belén Viviente on La Maroma 🏔️
High above Alcaucín, hikers climb to La Maroma peak (2,069 m) for a living nativity scene — a mix of devotion, endurance, and mountain spirit. Usually held the weekend before Christmas or just after, it’s a unique Axarquía tradition.
31 December – Nochevieja (New Year’s Eve) 🍇
At midnight, eat twelve grapes — one for each chime of the clock — to welcome the new year with luck and laughter. Join the crowds in Nerja’s Balcon de Europa, for live music and fireworks under the stars.
5 January - Cabalgata de Reyes Magos 👑
The magic continues into January! On the eve of Epiphany, the Three Kings (Los Reyes Magos) parade through every town, throwing sweets to children and bringing Christmas to its true Spanish finale. Nerja’s parade winds through town with floats, costumes, and plenty of sparkle — a night where the magic feels real for everyone, young or old.
🎄✨ December in the Axarquía is a season of togetherness — from migas in Torrox to the shining lights of Vélez, and the final magic of the Reyes Magos.
