Whats on in Alicante 15–21 December is now properly festive, with Christmas markets, concerts, late-afternoon tardeos, live music, fairs and all the reliable weekly favourites still ticking along underneath it all. This week mixes the obvious Christmassy things visitors want to see with the everyday events locals actually go to — which is exactly how it should be.
Whats on in Alicante 15-21 December – Christmas Events, Concerts & City Life
🎄 Giant Nativity Scene & Christmas Displays – Town Hall Square (Centro)
You really can’t miss this one. The Belén Monumental in front of the Town Hall is the main Christmas centrepiece in Alicante, with huge nativity figures and a constant flow of families and evening strollers passing through the square. It’s one of those places everyone ends up at least once in December.
Where: Plaza del Ayuntamiento (Centro)
When: Daily throughout December
Official info: Website
🎅 Santa’s Grotto & Small Christmas Fair – Plaza Séneca (Centro – Old Bus Station Square)
Plaza Séneca, the square of the old bus station, hosts both Santa’s grotto and a small children’s Christmas fair. It’s firmly aimed at families with younger children, but the real bonus here is the excellent bar and terrace right next to the play area, which is extremely popular with locals. Children play, adults sit with a proper drink — it’s a very civilised arrangement.
Where: Plaza Séneca (Centro)
When: Daily through December
🎡 Rabasa Christmas Fair – Recinto Ferial (Rabasa)
A full-scale winter fairground with large rides, food stalls and light displays – this is proper Spanish feria territory rather than wooden chalet nostalgia.
Dates: 28 November – 19 January
Hours:
- Weekdays: 17:00–24:00
- Fri/Sat/eves of holidays: 17:00–01:00
- Sundays & holidays: 11:00–01:00
Where: Recinto Ferial de Rabasa (large space near San Vicente del Raspeig)
Getting there: Bus lines L04, L07, L09, L11. Taxis from the centre are quick and painless.
Official info: Website
🎄 Low-Key Christmas Market – Paseo Federico Soto (Centro)
This is a small, relaxed Christmas market, focused mainly on handmade jewellery, soaps and craft gifts. It’s not one for big appetites or fast action, but it does the job nicely if you’re after a few small Christmas presents.
When: Daily throughout December
Where: Paseo Federico Soto (Centro)
🌰 Roasted Chestnuts & Churros – All Over the City
In December, roasted chestnut sellers and mobile churros vans appear all over the city. The Spanish never need much encouragement for churros, but Christmas takes things to another level. If you’ve never tried hot roasted chestnuts before, it’s well worth spending a couple of euros on a small paper cone — simple, warming, and very much part of the season.
✨ Christmas Lights & Main Tree – Luceros & Constitución
This isn’t really an event as such, but it’s part of the background to everything else this week:
- Plaza Luceros looks especially good with the palm trees wrapped in lights
- The main cone-shaped Spanish Christmas tree stands on Avenida de la Constitución (not a real tree, sadly, but still impressive enough)
🎧 Tardeos Navideños – Plaza de Toros (Plaza España)
The Christmas tardeos turn the bullring into a huge afternoon social space with food trucks, bars, DJs and live tribute bands. These events often drift gently from afternoon drink into full-blown evening.
When: Thursday to Sunday throughout December
Hours: From around 16:00 into the night
Where: Plaza de Toros (Plaza España)
Website: Website
🎶 Advent Concert – “Ensueños de Invierno” – Virtuós Mediterrani (Centro)
A refined, candlelit Advent concert by the chamber orchestra Virtuós Mediterrani, staged at the elegant Real Liceo Casino overlooking the Explanada. A lovely way to ease into the week.
When: Monday 15 December – 20:00
Where: Real Liceo Casino (Centro, Paseo Explanada de España 16)
🎼 University of Alicante Christmas Concert – ADDA (Campoamor)
The University of Alicante orchestra and choir perform their annual Christmas concert at ADDA — proper festive classical music in one of Spain’s best concert halls.
When: Wednesday 17 December – 20:00
Where: ADDA (Campoamor)
Website: Website
🎼 Conservatorio Óscar Esplá Christmas Band – ADDA (Campoamor)
The Conservatorio’s Christmas band concert follows the night after — excellent student musicianship and a festive programme.
When: Thursday 18 December – 20:00
Where: ADDA (Campoamor)
Website: Website
🎤 TRIVOX Christmas Concert – Il Divo Style (Centro)
Popular vocal group TRIVOX, very much in the Il Divo style, bring their Christmas concert to the Palacio de Congresos for an evening of big festive vocals and familiar seasonal melodies.
When: Friday 19 December – Evening
Where: Palacio de Congresos, Colegio de Médicos (Centro)
Facebook: Facebook
🎸 Malmö 040 – Live Indie Rock – Baltimore Live (Port)
Barcelona indie band Malmö 040 bring their “Los de Siempre” tour to Alicante for a full live show down at the port.
When: Friday 19 December – 21:00
Where: Baltimore Live – Sala Marmarela (Port)
🎄 Christmas Concert – Basílica de Santa María (Old Town)
A special Christmas concert in the outstanding surroundings of Alicante’s oldest church.
When: Saturday 20 December – 21:00
Where: Basílica de Santa María (Casco Antiguo)
🌊 Christmas Swim – Playa del Postiguet
The annual Christmas sea swim returns to Postiguet this Sunday morning. Registration is already closed, but it’s great fun to watch from the promenade with a coffee — or something a little stronger — while others do the hard work.
When: Sunday 21 December – 09:30
Where: Playa del Postiguet (Postiguet)
🏛️ Museums & Indoor Attractions (Perfect for Cooler Days)
Mercado Central de Alicante (Centro)
The Mercado Central is always worth a wander: fresh fish, fruit, jamón, chocolates and a full sensory overload of real Alicante food culture.
Where: Av. Alfonso X El Sabio (Centro)
Website: Website
MACA – Museum of Contemporary Art (Old Town)
Modern art in a beautiful historic building right next to the Santa María church.
Where: MACA (Casco Antiguo, Plaza Santa María 3)
Entry: Free
MUBAG – Fine Arts Museum (Old Town)
The elegant provincial art museum housed in the Gravina Palace.
Where: MUBAG (El Barrio, Calle Gravina 13–15)
Entry: Free
MARQ – Archaeological Museum (Campoamor)
One of Spain’s best archaeology museums with excellent permanent galleries and changing exhibitions.
Where: MARQ (Campoamor)
Water Museum – Pozos de Garrigós (Old Town)
A small but atmospheric museum set inside old underground water deposits.
Where: Museo del Agua (Casco Antiguo)
Entry: Free
✅ Regular Weekly Events (15–21 December)
Monday – Language Exchange – El Gato Cool
Centro, Calle Santos Médicos 4
A friendly, long-running language exchange with a good mix of locals and internationals.
Tuesday – Cardio Walk to the Castle
16:30 – Start: Plaza del Carmen (Old Town)
A steady uphill walk to Santa Bárbara with views as your reward.
Wednesday – Pub Games – Jendrix Rock Bar
19:30 onwards – Mercado area
Board games, cards and relaxed mid-week socialising.
Thursday – Open Mic – El Gato Cool
20:00 – Centro
Music, poetry and the occasional moment of unexpected bravery.
Thursday – Bachata Pre-Party – Parabarap
Centro, Calle Virgen de Belén 18
Free bachata dancing pre-party every Thursday night.
Friday – Jam Session – The Robin’s Pub
Raval Roig, Calle Virgen del Socorro 66
Live jam session with rotating musicians — always a good night.
Saturday – Beach Volleyball – Postiguet
15:00–17:00
Open, free winter volleyball sessions on the sand.
Sunday – Language Exchange – Altabirra
Calle Antonio Galdo Chápuli 13
Relaxed Sunday evening language exchange with a loyal crowd of regulars.
🚶 Self-Guided Walking Tour of Alicante
If you want something flexible this week, the self-guided audio walking tour of Alicante is still one of the best ways to explore the Old Town and castle area without being tied to a group.
Tour: Spain’s City of Light – Alicante’s History and Highlights
Link: https://voicemap.me/tour/alicante/spain-s-city-of-light-alicante-s-history-and-highlights
