CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR IN BENIDORM

CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR IN BENIDORM

Christmas and New year are special times here in Benidorm, there is always lots going on for both children and adults.

Generally there is lots of live entertainment in town, this year may obviously be different.   To find out who is performing When and Where use the Whats On Guide, which is updated on a daily basis.

Hotels Recommended for Christmas and New Year

Find Special menus for Christmas and New Year HERE - Please note these are not generally published until quite late in the year.

Children can enjoy Christmas Holidays in Benidorm, normally there are lots of special activities provided: 2021 may be different due to Covid Restrictions, information will be updated when details are officially announced.

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Christmas and New Year in Benidorm 

The events below are from 2021 and just to give you an idea, obviously this was during COVID19 so events will be back to normal for 2022, the schedule for this year will not be released until at least late October 2022

The Ice Rink - Normally open to 6th January 

The rink is usually open in the mornings until 14.00 then again in the afternoons from 17.00 until late, mornings are the quieter sessions but its prettier in the evenings with all the lights!  Boots  Hire is available and included in the hourly price - Please wear long trousers and gloves or you wont be permitted to skate.

Christmas market - Elche Park, from early December 4th to 6th January 

Traditional Christmas Market (Mercat de Nadal), organized by the Festival Committee, where you can buy traditional and local products from the area and typical of Christmas.

Belenes of Benidorm (Nativity scenes) - From Saturday, December 4th to Thursday, January 6th, 2022

Monumental Belen at Plaza S.S.M.M. The Kings of Spain, 1.

Traditional Belen performed by the Belenist Association of the Lower Marina in the Town Hall, Plaza S.S.M.M. Los Kings of Spain,1.

Belén ACR The Boat in C/ Tomás Ortuño 62

Belen House of Andalusia C/ Mercury No 4

CHRISTMAS HOUSE and WONDERFUL NATIVITY SCENE  At Casa- Museo Hort de Colón

Opening times: from 10:30 to 13:30h and from 17:00 to 20:00h, except on the 24th and 31st of December and 5th of January 2020 (from 10:30 to 13:30h). CLOSED on the 25th December 2020 and 1st of January 2021.

House of Christmas - From Saturday, December 4th to Thursday, January 6th, 2022. With Santa's visitation on December 18, 19, 22, 23 and 24 (morning only)  House-Museum of the Garden of Columbus.

Saturday, December 4th 

17:30 Musical show "PUZZLE KIDS" Auditorium "Julio Iglesias", Parkque de l'Aigüera.

19.30. Christmas Square Opening Show. Pl. SS. M.M. Kings of Spain

20.30 and 21.30 - Levante Beach, Drone Flight show, illuminating the sky with spectacular figures, a unique event.  Each display will last around ten minutes, in the area between calles Juan Rodríguez and Bilbao. The beachfront road in the area will be closed for the event. The town hall has reminded people that masks must be worn in large concentrations of people.

Saturday, December 11th

16.30  MAGIC DREAMS musical show

18.30 MAGIC DREAMS musical show - Auditorium "Julio Iglesias", Parkque de l'Aigüera.

Sunday, December 12th

12.00  -  Christmas concert of the Musical Society "L'Illa" in Benidorm.  Auditorium "Julio Iglesias", Parkque de l'Aigüera.

17.30 pm. Christmas concert of the Musical Society "La Nova" in Benidorm. Auditorium "Julio Iglesias", Parkque de l'Aigüera.

Saturday, December 18th

1730  Paula Dalli concert “MAGIC CHRISTMAS”, accompanied by the Symphonic Band of the Societat Musical “La Nova” of Benidorm. Auditorium "Julio Iglesias", Parkque de l'Aigüera.

Sunday, December 19th

12.00  Benidorm Municipal Dance Conservatory Christmas Festival.  Auditorium "Julio Iglesias", Parkque de l'Aigüera.

Tuesday, December 21st

17.30 pm. Safe Pillar Dance Studio. Auditorium "Julio Iglesias", Parkque de l'Aigüera.

December 21st – Hogueras, which literally translates to ‘bonfires’. During this celebration, the winter solstice (the shortest day of the year) is celebrated. A typical event which takes place is people jumping over fires to protect themselves from illness in the upcoming year.

Christmas and New Year in Benidorm 

Wednesday, December 22nd

18.30 - Boggie Block Dance Studio.  Auditorium "Julio Iglesias", Parkque de l'Aigüera.

December. 22nd - Most Spanish will be glued to the TV watching the children calling/singing out the numbers and prizes of the Lotería de Navidad, which is likely the most followed Spanish lottery during the entire year.

December 24th – In Spain, Christmas Eve is called Nochebuena and marks the most important family meeting of the year. People usually spend the late afternoons and early evening with friends for a few drinks and tapas, then head back home to enjoy a nice family dinner. After their evening meal, the whole family will go to church for the traditional midnight Mass or “Misa Del Gallo”, which in a devoutly Roman Catholic country is much more than a ‘Carol Service’ event and holds great significance as an important part of Christmas.

December 25th – Christmas Day is celebrated as a national holiday in Spain, so all the shops are closed. This day is not celebrated as the typical ¨day for presents¨ as that day occurs on the 6th of January when the Three Kings bring the presents for the children, but more of a day to relax and spend time with families. There is typically a big lunchtime meal with the family and friends.

Saturday, December 26th

17.30 Musical show "TRIBUTO FROZEN 2" Adventure in the concert.  Auditorium "Julio Iglesias", Parkque de l'Aigüera

December 27th 

Camp of SS. M.M. The Wizard Kings of the East. From Monday, December 27th to January 6th, 2022 Aigüera Park

Children can leave a letter for the wise men in the Christmas Square. On January 3, the Royal Postman arrives in Benidorm to announce the arrival of the Three Kings of the East.

December 28th –The day of Santos Inocentes (Holy Innocents) is celebrated much like another Western holiday, April Fool’s Day. This holiday finds children and adults playing practical jokes on each other. This is a fun day to run wild and play some pranks on your friends and family.

Christmas and New Year in Benidorm 

NEW YEAR

Friday, December 31st

Great Year End Party. Levante Beach CANCELLED - This will now be limited to a fireworks display of about ten minutes in the Levante area, but there will be no stage, music or animation as initially planned to be organized jointly with hoteliers and entertainment venues of the city in the vicinity of Bilbao Street.

December 31st–In Spain, New Year’s Eve is called Noche Vieja (old year). The party stays at home for many until midnight, as it is a tradition to eat 12 grapes, one at each chime of the clock. Tradition has it that anyone who manages all 12 grapes, without choking, will have 12 months of prosperity – it’s not as easy as it sounds, but it’s fun to have a go! After the grapes and Cava, the party begins and goes on well into the next morning.

Another other strange tradition in Spain during New Years is to wear red underwear.

The red underwear should be given to you and is to be worn on New Year´s Eve; this is to bring good luck for the upcoming 12 months. All over the shopping centers, markets, and stores you will find red underwear being sold before New Year’s. The tradition dates back to the Middle Ages when it was prohibited to wear red as it was associated with witchcraft, the devil and blood. However the people would instead wear red underwear that couldn’t be seen as they believed that red was a symbol of life especially during the dark winter months.

BENIDORM´S NEW YEARS EVE PARTY

January 1st– This public holiday is generally reserved for recuperating from the festivities from the night before. Most shops are closed and people tend to stay at home and recover.

Saturday, January 1st

17.30 pm. Musical Show "BANGLE" Auditorium "Julio Iglesias", Parkque de l'Aigüera.

Sunday, January 2nd

12.00  Benidorm Musical Union Symphony Band New Year Concert featuring Marlene Aquino. Auditorium "Julio Iglesias", Parkque de l'Aigüera.

January 5th 

There are parades and processions throughout Spain during the evening where participants receive sweets and candies thrown from the floats. After all the excitement outdoors, and just before going to bed, children traditionally leave their shoes out (not their stockings here!) so that the Three Kings can leave gifts – just as they did with the infant Jesus.

January 5th

The Three Kings parade 18.00 

Benidorm recovers the usual tour of the Cabalgata de Kings, with a final in the auditorium Julio Iglesias.  The parade will leave at 18.00 o'clock from Parque de Elche along Avenue of Los Almendros, Marte streets, Venus, Ruzafa and Herreriias, Plaza de SSMM Reyes de Spain and Parque de l'Aigüera to the Julio Iglesias auditorium.

The number of participants in the parade is reduced this year.

COVID certificate is required to access the auditorium and masks must be worn, due to health regulations the Kings of the East will not perform the usual gift distribution and No candy will be thrown during the parade.

The Julio Iglesias auditorium will open at 17.00 - In accordance with health regulations, the 3 Kings will not perform the usual distribution of gifts among children

January 6th –This date marks the Feast of the Epiphany, which is when the Three Kings arrived in Bethlehem. Much like Christmas Day around the rest of the world, this is the most important day for Spanish children. In the morning, they will awake to find that Los Reyes Magos (The Three Kings) have brought them gifts. Families typically start the day on 6th January with a huge breakfast that includes a large, ring-shaped cake called “Roscon de los Reyes”. The traditional sweet treat comes with dried fruits and two surprises hidden inside – the person who finds the ‘prize’ becomes King or Queen for the day, while whoever finds the unlucky ‘bean’ pays for next year’s cake!

FIND SPECIAL CHRISTMAS AND  NEW YEAR MENUS HERE  - Please note these are not generally available until quite late in the season

THE WEATHER

Please Note all these temperatures are taken in the SHADE as all Spanish weather forecasts are.

WINTER STARTS 21st