Marbella is a wonderful place to get into the festive spirit under sunny skies. Marbella offers a unique blend of Mediterranean glamour and festive tradition. By visiting a Christmas market in Marbella, you’ll enjoy sunshine, palm trees, and seaside promenades decorated with twinkling lights.
It’s so beautiful this time of year! The Old Town transforms into a magical setting with elaborate decorations, nativity scenes, and family-friendly activities. As well as that, there are two Christmas markets in Marbella center, near the Old Town, and also in Puerto Banus. Expect artisan crafts, gourmet food, festive lights, and seaside charm from the 28th of November to the 6th of January.
We’re delighted to say that it’s now even easier to find out what’s happening, when and where. This year, they have launched a digital agenda so you can find all the information you need online and in English. Check it out on Te Vienes
Christmas Markets in Marbella in 2025/2026: Key dates and locations
Between the 28th of November 2025 and the 6th of January 2026 you can visit Christmas markets in Marbella, with the Banus market opening slightly later, on the 6th of December.
There are two locations for Christmas markets of note in Marbella –
Parque de la Alameda & Avenida del Mar: Located in the heart of Marbella you’ll find a wonderful Christmas market, filled with artisan stalls, ornaments, and seasonal treats under sparkling lights. This launches on the 28th of November at 12.00, under the theme “The Elf Factory”. The best place to stay if you’re most interested in this market, is the Old Town, which is magical this time of year.
Puerto Banús Marina: For the first time, the Christmas magic comes to Puerto Banus and there’s a stylish market with wooden huts, gourmet food stands, and festive activities set against luxury yachts and Mediterranean views. This runs from the 6th of December to the 6th of January. You can combine shopping in the designer boutiques, visiting the market and enjoying great nightlife too by staying in a holiday rental in Puerto Banus.
Read on to discover what’s going on!
Alameda Park & Old Town
You’ll find the main Christmas market in Marbella’s Alameda Park, opposite the Old Town, as well as in the Old Town itself, and down the Avenida del Mar towards the sea. It opens on the 28th of November, and continues until the 5th of January, when the Three Kings come to town and there’s a big parade in Marbella.
The pretty park, with its fountain, lush vegetation and the boulevard with Dali sculptures will be transformed into a winter wonderland. There will be wooden chalets lining the boulevard and filling the park, selling a wide range of artisan and local products which make great gifts, as well as seasonal treats to enjoy. As well as the stalls, there will be lots of activities and performances over the Christmas period such as carol singing, children’s workshops, and festive entertainment, all illuminated by over two million LED lights.
It’s definitely worth exploring Marbella Old Town as part of your visit. The historic center is transformed with elaborate lights, nativity scenes, and festive displays across plazas and narrow streets. Smaller stalls and pop-ups complement the main Alameda market, offering local crafts and traditional Andalusian Christmas goods and there are loads of great independent shops, galleries, bars and restaurants to toast to the festive season.
The Alameda Park and Old Town markets are the heart of Marbella’s Christmas celebrations, combining artisan shopping, festive food, and dazzling lights in a Mediterranean setting. It’s a great family holiday option with plenty of activities for children alongside chic shopping and dining for adults.
Puerto Banús Christmas Market
The Puerto Banús Christmas Market 2025 runs from 6 December 2025 to 6 January 2026 at the Muelle de la Ribera, transforming Marbella’s luxury marina into a festive wonderland with artisan stalls, gourmet food, and family entertainment. This is Puerto Banús’s first artisanal Christmas market, making it a new highlight of Marbella’s festive calendar, where the iconic waterfront lined with designer boutiques and yachts will be a focal point for Christmas shopping.
Like in Marbella, there will be wooden huts and artisan stalls selling crafts, toys, handmade ornaments, jewelry, and festive décor. There will also be gourmet food trucks to complete the experience, where you can dine on local delicacies, international street food, mulled wine, and sweet treats.
This will be a more luxury experience than central Marbella, as befits the marina’s glamorous backdrop, but there’s still plenty of family fun and entertainment on offer, such as carol singing, live performances, seasonal workshops and meet and greet sessions for the kids to see Santa.
We can’t wait to see the market stalls set against yachts and palm trees illuminated by twinkling lights, offering a unique Mediterranean twist on the traditional Christmas market! This is going to be an awesome place to do your Christmas shopping!!
Christmas in San Pedro
There’s one more place we’d recommend you visit to enjoy a spot of Christmas shopping and really get into the spirit of the holidays, and that’s San Pedro de Alcántara, which is between Marbella center and Puerto Banus. It’s a great place all year round and really magical at Christmas!
The fun begins on Friday 28th of November with a Christmas parade through the streets, leaving the main square Plaza de la Iglesia at 18.30. This is followed by the light switch on at 20.00.
The 2025/2026 Christmas programme hasn’t been released yet, but there’s usually a festive market, concerts, New Year’s Eve celebrations, and the traditional Three Kings parade. It has a family friendly atmosphere, and the central square and surrounding streets look beautiful when they are sparkling with lights. The town center (Plaza de la Iglesia and surrounding streets) becomes the hub of activities from late November through early January and boast some fantastic bars and restaurants too. Keep an eye on the Delegacion de Fiestas Instagram account if you’re staying in a holiday rental in San Pedro.
Key dates for your Christmas Market Visit to Marbella
The key dates for Marbella’s Christmas markets in the 2025/2026 season are: lights switch-on on Saturday 29 November 2025, main market at Avenida del Mar & Alameda Park from 28 November 2025 – 5 January 2026, and Puerto Banús artisanal market from 6 December 2025 – 6 January 2026.
It all starts with a parade through the streets of Marbella on the evening of Saturday, 29 November 2025, which leaves the Plaza Santo Cristo at 18.30 and brings Christmas magic to Marbella’s Old Town. There will be performances from local dance schools and then at 20.00 on Avenida Ramón y Cajal, the Mayor presses the button to illuminate over two million LED lights and there’s a Zambomba Flamenca performance.
It’s the official start of the Christmas period in Marbella and the market will have been open since the previous day.
Beware – This is a popular event, so expect crowds!
Please note that the market in Puerto Banus opens one week later, on Saturday, 6 December 2025.
If you’re travelling with kids, build in a weekend, and check out the calendar so they can enjoy workshops and Santa visits.
One of the highlights of the festive calendar happens here when many people are taking down their trees! The festive finale for Spanish children doesn’t happen on Christmas Day, but on the 6th of January, when they open their presents from the Three Kings. The arrival of “los Reyes Magos” is celebrated with a fantastic parade through Marbella on the evening of the 5th of January 2026 and is a highlight of Spanish Christmas tradition.
Who enjoys the Christmas Markets in Marbella?
Marbella’s Christmas markets are designed for everyone: families with children, couples seeking romance, food lovers, culture enthusiasts, and luxury shoppers. The blend of Andalusian tradition and Mediterranean glamour makes them appealing to locals and international visitors alike.
Children love the festive workshops, Santa Claus visits, and the Three Kings parade. Safe, lively plazas like Alameda Park and Plaza de los Naranjos offer family-friendly entertainment and there are interactive activities such as carol singing and craft-making to keep younger visitors engaged.
But a trip to Marbella at Christmas isn’t just for the kiddies! Couples will love the romantic strolls through the Old Town’s illuminated streets and Avenida del Mar’s light displays and cozy evenings with mulled wine, tapas, and artisan shopping. A pre-Christmas getaway to Marbella is perfect for couples who want a festive yet glamorous Mediterranean escape.
Food & Wine Lovers will be in heaven at the Marbella Christmas markets. Sample Spanish Christmas sweets (turrón, polvorones) and gourmet delicacies on the stalls, in the bakeries and restaurants. In Puerto Banús there are also food trucks and local stalls offering both traditional Andalusian flavors and international bites. We’d suggest you combine your trip with a visit to one of the five Michelin starred restaurants in Marbella for the ultimate foodie experience.
Shopaholics and anyone looking for some unusual Christmas gifts will really love a trip to Marbella for some retail therapy. You can pick up handmade ornaments, jewelry, ceramics, and festive décor, alongside luxury gifts, designer items and gourmet products. A trip to Marbella during the holidays is a great way to find unique presents while enjoying the festive atmosphere.
Christmas Market in Marbella: Frequently Asked Questions
Do you still want to know more about our fabulous Christmas markets? We’ve got you covered! Here are answers to the most frequently asked questions about these festive events.
What can you buy at the Marbella Christmas market?
You can buy artisan crafts, handmade ornaments, jewelry, festive décor, gourmet food, Spanish Christmas sweets, toys, and luxury gifts. The markets blend traditional Andalusian products with international flair, making them perfect for both unique souvenirs and elegant presents.
Highlights include –
- Handmade ornaments & decorations: Traditional Andalusian designs, wooden figures, and festive baubles.
- Jewelry & accessories made by local artisans
- Ceramics & pottery
- Toys & children’s gifts: Wooden toys, puzzles, and festive games.
- Textiles & clothing such as scarves, shawls, and handmade garments
- Food & Drink including traditional Spanish Christmas sweets, cheeses, cured meats, olive oils, and wines from Andalusia, mulled wine and hot chocolate. There’s also international street food in Puerto Banús, with food trucks offering global flavors.
What’s the weather like in Marbella at Christmas?
Don’t expect the tropics! But Christmas in Marbella is mild and sunny compared to northern Europe, with daytime highs around 15–20 °C and cooler nights near 6–10 °C. Expect mostly clear skies, occasional rain showers, and plenty of outdoor-friendly weather.
If you like your sea swimming, it’s possible, but chilly with the water temperature around 16–17 °C.
Marbella’s climate makes it perfect for outdoor Christmas markets and evening strolls under festive lights. Nights can feel chilly, so a jacket is recommended, but daytime often allows for light clothing.
Is the Marbella Christmas market crowded?
Marbella’s Christmas markets can get crowded—especially during the lights switch-on ceremony on 29 November and weekend evenings in December. However, compared to Málaga’s famous markets, Marbella is generally more relaxed, with manageable crowds and a family-friendly atmosphere. Expect crowds on Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve, and the Three Kings parade (5 January 2026). However, you can usually find a quieter space just outside the main area.
If you’d prefer a quieter Christmas market experience, then weekdays and afternoons before sunset are great times to visit. Heading into the Old Town is also a good idea if you don’t like the crowds. Although when it’s busier, there’s more buzz and festive spirit, with music, laughter, and families enjoying the decorations.
How long do the Christmas markets in Marbella last?
Marbella’s Christmas markets in the 2025/2026 season last for just over five weeks, running from the end of November until early January.
Avenida del Mar & Alameda Park market opens the day before the Christmas lights switch on – at 12.00 on Friday, 28 November 2025 and the final day is Monday, 5 January 2026.
Puerto Banús Christmas Market (Marina) opens Saturday, 6 December 2025 and closes on Tuesday, 6 January 2026.
There will also be a smaller selection of stalls in Old Town Marbella throughout December 2025, with peak activity around Christmas week.
The markets span the entire festive season, from the light switch-on ceremony through to the Three Kings parade on 5 January 2026. This means visitors can enjoy them whether they come for Christmas shopping in early December or for New Year’s Eve and Epiphany celebrations.
Are there other Christmas markets near Marbella?
Yes. There are quite a few Christmas markets along the Costa del Sol, with some springing up for a day or two. The two most impressive Christmas markets outside of Marbella are in Malaga City (famous for its light displays) and in Fuengirola.
The Fuengirola Christmas Market 2025 runs from 27 November to 21 December in Plaza de la Constitución, offering artisan crafts, festive food, concerts, and magical snowfall. There are 17 wooden cabins set up in the main square, and it’s beautifully decorated to create a winter wonderland. There’s even artificial snowfall every Saturday evening, creating a magical Christmas atmosphere and plenty of holiday cheer. The market is part of a wider programme including live music, children’s workshops, and cultural events, so it’s well worth a daytrip. You can check what’s going on via the Town Hall’s Agenda.
Malaga City complements its famous light show with two Christmas markets which run between the 28th of November and the 6th of January. There’s the Paseo del Parque Market on the central road through the city, which is lined with traditional wooden stalls with crafts, ornaments, and festive food. There’s also a great Christmas market in Muelle Uno (Malaga Port), which is a chic waterfront market with gourmet food, artisan gifts, and live entertainment. We’d highly recommend a day trip up to Malaga over Christmas, the lights are spectacular, and there’s plenty to see and do. However, people travel from all over the region to see the lights, so get their early in the day to ensure you get parking, or get a private transfer to take the stress out of the experience! Here’s a great guide to Malaga at Christmas from Guide to Malaga.
We hope this guide to Marbella’s Christmas markets has inspired you to get planning your festive getaway. We have a wide selection of luxury villa rentals in Marbella which would make the perfect home from home for the holidays. Browse the website to see the full selection or contact us to discuss what would suit you best.
Happy Holidays!!!
