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

Children can enjoy Christmas Holidays in Benidorm, normally there are lots of special activities provided: 2020 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 

Christmas Events 2020

2020 - Benidorm town hall gives the green light to a range of 15 concerts and shows especially for kids over the festive period, they will be put on between the 5th December and 3rd January, under the strictest conditions of health security in the auditorio Julio Iglesias del Parque de l'Aigüera., by the town hall.  The event is being called 'Benidorm Christmas Dreams'

The main innovations of this programming, which will replace the children's entertainment activities that used to be done in previous years in the Plaza de la Navidad, 

Prices from 2€ to 10€, with numbers strictly limited.

The only activities that will be free of charge are the two concerts that will offer the Societat Musical L'Illa de Benidorm and the Musical Union of Benidorm, on December 6th and 13th.

Christmas and New Year in Benidorm  

The Ice Rink - Normally open from Late November/early December to 6th January There will be NO ice Rink this year.

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 to 6th January TBC

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.

CHRISTMAS´HOUSE and WONDERFUL NATIVITY SCENE . At Casa- Museo Hort de Colón, TBC
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.

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 

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.

December 27th -  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.

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Christmas and New Year in Benidorm 

NEW YEAR

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 - CANCELLED

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.

January 5th – CANCELLED

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.

This years 3 kings events will be slightly different.  Benidorm will recreate in the Parque de l’Aigüera the story ‘The story of the Magi from the East. 5 themed areas linked to the main characters or scenes of the story such as Herod, the shepherds, the Christmas Star, the Royal Camp and the Nativity. The site can be visited on January 3rd, 4th and 5th, with the maximum guarantees of sanitary security.

These are ticket only events.  Get your tickets HERE Price 1.50€ (This amount will cover the cost of managing tickets and controlling capacity).

Visiting hours are: Mornings from 10:00 hrs to 14:00 hrs / Afternoons from 17 :00 hrs to 21:00 hrs.

To ensure safety, only 6 tickets can be purchased per purchase operation.

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January 5th

The Three Kings parade 18.00 CANCELLED

Departure from elche park. Tour: AV. Almond Trees, c / Mars, c / Venus, c / Ruzafa, c / Herrerías, PL. Dr. Fleming and PL. From SS. MM. Kings of Spain.

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!

THE WEATHER

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

WINTER STARTS 21st

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