Christmas in Granada: The Best Plans for This Holiday Season
The charm of the Nasrid city, already remarkable in itself, is multiplied by the magic of this season. Christmas in Granada offers a unique opportunity to enjoy this Andalusian destination even more intensely thanks to its wide-ranging Christmas programme. Different shows, a nativity scene route, and a wide variety of activities for children and adults alike will delight both locals and visitors during the festive season.
Music, theatre, skating… Christmas in Granada with countless activities
Christmas invites people to go out and enjoy the atmosphere in the streets in a special way. The appeal of these days spreads through the streets filled with lights and the typical Christmas illuminations, which in Granada began on 2 December. The perfect excuse to take a stroll through the city centre and, while you are at it, do some shopping.
And a perfect place for that is the traditional Christmas market set up in Bib Rambla Square, one of the epicentres of Christmas in Granada. There will also be another market at Puerta Real, surrounding the Fuente de las Batallas. Both will be open until 6 January from 11:00 to 14:00 and from 17:00 to 21:30 every day. They will be closed on 25 December and 1 January.
Ice rink in Bib Rambla Square
This central square will also host one of the main attractions of Christmas in Granada: the ice rink. A place to enjoy a pleasant skate on a surface of 435 square metres, measuring 29 x 15 metres. Opening hours will be from 16:00 to 22:00 on school days, and also from 10:00 to 14:00 on holidays.
Plaza del Humilladero: another epicentre of Christmas in Granada
Another place where the Christmas festivities will take centre stage is Plaza del Humilladero. Several of children’s favourite activities will be concentrated here. This spot will host attractions such as a 30-metre Ferris wheel, swings, a Christmas carousel, zip lines and a large sledding slope.
Light and sound show in Plaza del Carmen
In addition to the traditional illuminations with more than 2.5 million points of light, Plaza del Carmen will host a light and sound show. A dome of stars, balls and curtains of light will light up to the rhythm of music. There will be three performances each day: at 19:00, 20:00 and 21:30.
“The Nutcracker”
Among the different Christmas shows in Granada, one of the main events will be the performance of the classic ballet “The Nutcracker” at the Exhibition and Conference Centre. It will be performed by the Kyiv Ballet, and part of the ticket price will be donated to UNICEF’s cause in Ukraine. It will take place on 29 December at 20:30.
This venue will also host other entertainment such as El Cantajuegos, for younger children, on 2 January in two sessions: at 12:30 and 17:00. Or the “Grand New Year’s Concert” performed by the Strauss Festival Orchestra, on 4 January at 21:00.
The Nativity Scene Route, a Christmas classic in Granada
There are many nativity scenes that can be visited in the Nasrid city during these days. Both the City Council and the Federation of Brotherhoods and Confraternities organise their own competitions that encourage the people of Granada to set up nativity scenes.
One of the must-see ones is the one installed at the San Juan de Dios Museum, in the Casa de los Pisa (Convalecencia Street). In this area, you can also visit the Traditional Nativity Scene at the Carmelite Museum-Monastery. The city’s brotherhoods also devote themselves to this tradition and usually set up their own nativity scenes: La Borriquilla, El Nazareno, El Cristo de los Favores, La Humildad, La Aurora or El Despojado are brotherhoods that create their own displays. Some neighbourhood associations do the same, such as the one in Bajo Albaycín, on Zafra Street.
Another of the most visited is the one set up by the City Council itself in Plaza del Carmen. It is organised by the association Amigos del Belén. In this way, both the neighbourhoods and the centre of Granada encourage people to visit these displays and, at the same time, enjoy the city and also go out to enjoy the great tapas scene in Granada.
Where to park at Christmas in Granada
It is clear that the Christmas period is for walking through the most central streets and leaving the car safely parked. Finding parking can become almost impossible, even in car parks, which are usually full on these dates. For this reason, it is advisable to book in advance so that nothing spoils your date with Christmas in Granada. On our booking portal you can do so for our Hermanos Maristas car park, which is located just a 10-minute walk from Bib Rambla Square, one of the key points of Christmas in Granada.
