There’s something truly magical about the Christmas market Marbella experience.
While much of Europe is deep in winter, Marbella sparkles under bright sunny skies, with palm trees and the Mediterranean providing a stunning backdrop for elegant festive lights.
As a local English-speaking estate agency, we at PCC Property don’t just work on the Costa del Sol, we live here. Christmas is one of our favourite times of year, a time when the town’s glamorous atmosphere becomes genuinely warm and festive.
We’ve put together our insider’s guide to the Christmas market in Marbella and all the surrounding events for the 2025/2026 season. Here’s what to see, do, and experience, from the main attractions to the secrets only the locals know.
The festive season kicks off with the grand light switch-on in late November and runs until the all-important Three Kings’ Day on 6th January.
Here are the key locations for the best Christmas market Marbella experience.
Market / Event | Location | Dates (2025 – 2026) |
Marbella Christmas Market (Main) | Alameda Park & Avenida del Mar | 1st December 2025 – 6th January 2026 |
Puerto Banús Christmas Market | Plaza Antonio Banderas | Early December 2025 – 6th January 2026* |
San Pedro Magical Park | A. Serrano Lima Sports Complex | Expected Early December – 5th January* |
The Three Kings’ Parade | Marbella & San Pedro Centres | 5th January 2026 |
Dates for the Puerto Banús and San Pedro events are usually confirmed by the local town hall (Ayuntamiento) in mid-November. While the main Christmas market Marbella dates are set, we always recommend checking official sources before you visit!
Marbella offers a series of festive experiences, each with its own unique character.
This is the heart of Marbella’s traditional Christmas. The lush Alameda Park hosts charming wooden chalets, making up the central Christmas market Marbella residents love. Here you’ll find handmade gifts, artisan foods, and festive decorations. It’s also home to Santa’s Grotto (Casa de Papá Noel), where children can hand-deliver their wish lists.
From the park, stroll down the beautifully illuminated Avenida del Mar and into the winding streets of the Old Town (Casco Antiguo). Make your way to the Plaza de los Naranjos (Orange Square) to see the town’s main Belén (Nativity scene)—a deeply rooted Spanish tradition.
For a Christmas market Marbella experience with a dash of glamour, the Puerto Banús Christmas market in Plaza Antonio Banderas is a must.
Set against the backdrop of super-yachts, this festive market features high-quality craft stalls, international food, and children’s attractions.
Sipping mulled wine while browsing for unique gifts, with the marina’s dazzling lights all around, is an experience that feels uniquely Marbella.
If you’re visiting with family, the Magical Christmas Park in San Pedro (just a 10-minute drive) is non-negotiable.
While not a traditional Christmas market, Marbella’s festive offering for families is centred here. It’s a wonderland complete with a synthetic ice-skating rink, a Christmas train, festive rides, and a spectacular sound-and-light show.
Want to move beyond the main stalls? Here are our tips to experience the festive season just like a local.
Forget generic market food.
The real taste of a Spanish Christmas is found in the cafés and stalls around the Christmas market in Marbella.
Do as the locals do and stop in the Old Town for a thick, rich churros con chocolate.
It’s the perfect festive treat.
Also, be sure to buy a box of polvorones and turrón (a type of nougat)—no Spanish home is without them.
This is a truly special Andalucían tradition.
A Zambomba is an impromptu, joyous gathering where friends and family sing flamenco-style villancicos (carols) to the sound of a traditional drum.
You’ll often stumble upon them in the small squares of the Old Town, offering an authentic festive spirit you won’t find anywhere else.
Keep an eye out for announcements for the La Virginia Christmas Market.
This “locals’ secret” takes place in the incredibly picturesque, flower-filled village of La Virginia (within Marbella). It usually happens on one day in early December and is the perfect Christmas market for finding unique, artisanal gifts.
Yes!
The Christmas market Marbella offers is a wonderful experience spread across several locations.
It combines traditional Spanish stalls in the Old Town, glamorous stalls in Puerto Banús, and a full Magical Park for families in San Pedro, all connected by stunning Christmas lights.
This is the best part. You can expect mild, often sunny weather with average daytime temperatures around 17°C (63°F).
You’ll need a jacket in the evening, but you can often enjoy a drink on a sunny terrace during the day.
It is festively busy, with a wonderful, safe, and family-friendly atmosphere.
It’s not uncomfortably crowded, but there’s a fantastic buzz in the air, especially in the evenings and on weekends as residents and visitors alike come out to enjoy the Christmas market.
Absolutely.
If you have an evening to spare, the 45-minute trip to Málaga city is highly recommended.
The light show on Calle Larios is world-famous. Many Marbella residents make a special trip just to see it.
From the traditional charm of the Old Town’s festive stalls to the glamorous sparkle of Puerto Banús, the Christmas market in Marbella offers a unique blend of festive spirit and sophisticated sunshine.
From all of us at PCC Property, we wish you a wonderful festive season.
We live and work here, and there’s truly nothing like it.
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We take care of everything, so you can focus on enjoying the magic.
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