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Santa's House, located in Séneca Square. Miriam Gil Albert
Complete Christmas 2024 Programme in Alicante: Events and Timings

Complete Christmas 2024 Programme in Alicante: Events and Timings

The City Council organises over 60 events in the festive programme

José Vicente Pérez Pardo

Alicante

Jueves, 28 de noviembre 2024, 14:12

The Alicante City Council has scheduled 60 events for the Christmas festivities, which will commence on 29th November with the extraordinary lighting in front of the Constitution Avenue tree and conclude on 5th January with the Three Kings Parade.

'Feel the grandeur of Christmas' is the slogan chosen by the Alicante City Council to encompass the activities organised by all municipal areas, which have been dedicated to a comprehensive programme.

Lighting of Ornamental Lights

Alicante will light up its Christmas lights this Friday, 29th November. The traditional event that will illuminate every corner of the city will have a solemn character in tribute to the victims and those affected by the DANA. The City Council will place the button for turning on the Christmas lights of Alicante on Constitution Avenue, next to the giant Christmas tree. At 7 pm, the button will be pressed to light up the 120 streets of the city centre and neighbourhoods.

The City Council has installed over 2.5 million low-consumption LED lights spread across a total of 120 streets in Alicante city centre and its neighbourhoods, with more than a thousand decorative motifs such as arches, garlands, signs, elements on lampposts, and trees.

The city's streets feature 468 arches, 102 double lampposts with 204 motifs, 365 single lampposts, 29 'Happy Holidays' signs, photo spots like a ball at the Principal Theatre and influencer bear at Montañeta Square, and 73 illuminated natural trees; in addition to the giant 18-metre Christmas tree on Constitution Avenue that will offer light shows during its lighting.

Christmas Fair in Rabasa

The Alicante Christmas Fair will also open this Friday, 29th November, just like Santa's House. As usual, it will be set up in the Rabasa venue, on Játiva Street. The attractions, including the Ferris wheel, bumper cars, sweet stalls, and tombola, will be active until 19th January.

Many novelties are coming to the Alicante Christmas Fair. One of them will be missed, as the attractions bid farewell to the 'Ratón Vacilón', which will not lift its cars this year and will launch its laughs in Alicante. This small roller coaster has accompanied several generations of Alicante residents during fair afternoons, providing great doses of adrenaline and fun in equal measure.

The departure of the 'Ratón Vacilón' has paved the way for the installation of two new attractions at the Alicante Christmas Fair. These are two roller coasters, the Jet Star with a classic route, thrilling drops, and fast turns only suitable for the most adventurous; and the Hype Energy, perfect for those who love dizziness.

Santa's House in Séneca Square

Santa Claus brings forward his trip to the city of Alicante. The Christmas protagonist will land with his sleigh in the city this Friday and will live for almost a month in the house that the City Council has set up in Séneca Square, where he awaits the visit of thousands of children.

Santa's House will open its doors this Friday, 29th November at 7 pm to welcome its first visitors. Santa's elves will remain at the door, ushering in the various groups that, with prior appointment, gather at the infrastructure.

The reservation system opened last Wednesday, 20th November, and a week later all appointments are fully booked, according to the municipal website. These are distributed in different shifts until 24th December without interruption, with breaks at midday.

San Nicolás Procession

On 6th December, after a religious ceremony, the procession in honour of San Nicolás, patron saint of Alicante, will depart at 11:45 am from the Co-Cathedral. After passing through Labradores Street, San Cristóbal Square, and Primo de Rivera Street, it will head down the Rambla to reach the Town Hall Square, where the mayor, Luis Barcala, will deliver the City Vote.

Giant Nativity Scene in Town Hall Square

One of the first major points of interest will be the inauguration of the Giant Nativity Scene, which is listed in the Guinness Book of Records, scheduled for Saturday, 7th December. An hour earlier, a preliminary show will take place in the square between Rambla de Méndez Núñez and the Esplanade. The enormous Nativity Scene, up to 14 metres high, is the work of Hogueras artist José Manuel García Esquiva 'Pachi' and his team.

In numbers, the Giant Nativity Scene of Alicante is the most popular Christmas event in the Valencian Community on Google, according to a study conducted by the SEO agency agenciaseo.eu for the Innovative Companies Cluster for Tourism of the Valencian Community (Adestic) on the interest generated online by the Valencian Community during the Christmas holidays at a national level. In this search niche, the Giant Nativity Scene of Alicante appears with 30,790 queries, followed by the Valencia Parade with 24,610.

Ice Rink in Port Square

Christmas in Alicante also brings some changes, as will happen with the new location of the ice skating rink. The infrastructure will move from the bullring to Port Square. The inauguration of the Alicante ice rink will be celebrated on 5th December with its opening in Port Square.

If the company in charge of the ice skating rink decides to continue with the same offer as in the last Christmas, the schedule could be from Monday to Friday from 4 pm to 10 pm, while on weekends and holidays it would be extended from 12 pm to 10 pm, just like during the holiday weeks. Last year's price included 30 minutes of rink time starting at six euros.

Nativity Route

The Municipal Nativity Scene changes location this year, instead of the traditional one, which is the foyer of the Alicante City Hall. This Christmas, it can be seen in the Séneca Space from 4th December at 6 pm. On the same day, at 7:30 pm, the Nativity Scene set up by the Association of Nativity Scene Makers will open its windows for the first time in La Montañeta Square.

Another of the most visited nativity scenes, that of the Major Board of Brotherhoods and Easter Week Confraternities, will begin to be visited at the El Portalet Palace (Labradores Street), from the afternoon of Saturday, 30th November. The most significant part of the nativity scene activity is completed on Tuesday, 3rd December with the presentation of the book 'Popular Alicante Nativity Scenes', published by the Association of Nativity Scene Makers.

Festivities for the Little Ones

The Children's Christmas Fair, which can be enjoyed until 7th January, the exhibition 'Little Shoes and the Christmas Alphabet', located in the Séneca Space, just like the Municipal Nativity Scene, which will be inaugurated on 4th December -6 pm-, will complete the leisure offer of this consolidated Christmas space.

The Tramway Engineer's Chalet and the bandstand will be the venues for a double activity on 7th December. The first, from 11 am, will host the children's workshops 'Juggling and Circus for Christmas', 'A Pom-Pom on Your Tree', and 'Puzzle the Christmas'. In the second, from 12:30 pm, the concert 'A Day in the World of !Pi-Epi A¡' will be performed.

The Department of Social Welfare organises the mini-marathon 'Steps that Count' in the Colonia Requena neighbourhood on Thursday, 12th December. The start is scheduled for 4:30 pm and at the conclusion, there will be a snack on Cuarzo Street. On Friday, 13th December, in Argel Square, the Project Coordination Service has scheduled the carol festival 'The School Brings Christmas to the Square' in which students from Lo Morant, Lucentum, Emilio Varela, and Gloria Fuertes will participate.

Special Bus Line

A special bus line will be enabled from 23rd December until 6th January 2025, operating between 9 am and 10:30 pm. The head will be located on Óscar Esplá-Estación Avenue. It will continue along Reyes Católicos -Capuchinos- Street, Montañeta-Soto, Teatro Street, Rambla-San Fernando (which will not be operational during cuts on the Rambla), and Luceros Square.

Tuesday, 17th December is the scheduled day for the activity 'Stories Come to School for Christmas', organised by the Project Coordination Service-North Zone Integral Plan, to approach the 'Els Xiquets' nursery school. And for the integrated centre 'Sargento Vaíllo' to host the intergenerational Christmas craft workshop. The children from the community social centres will be the protagonists of the musical 'The Magic is in You', coordinated by the Department of Social Welfare.

A children's screen printing workshop where Christmas cards and tree decorations can be made, under the title 'Create Your Christmas Bag', will be available in the exhibition hall of the Fish Market from 26th to 28th December. Additionally, on the first of these days, a Christmas karaoke; on the second, 'magic with Malastruc'.

The children's show 'My Christmas Plan', which in the same place, will be offered by the QuimiRock company, on Sunday, 29th December, at 12 pm. Half an hour later, Laura Palmer will headline a children's concert at the Fish Market.

Fairs and Workshops

Federico Soto Promenade will once again host the Christmas market and the Antique and Second-Hand Book Fair, starting from 1st December. If the first will close its doors on 6th January, the second will do so on 8th January. They will coincide, in dates, with the Cascaruja and Porrate Navideño, which will open from 20th to 24th December.

Another of the Christmas workshops, 'Make Your Christmas Greeting with Canva', organised by the Edusi office, will be held at the Sargento Vaíllo Integrated Centre, from 9th December. On the same day, visits to the nativity scenes and Christmas decorations located in the municipal senior centres are scheduled. From 11:30 am to 1 pm on 23rd December in the cloister of the old House of Mercy, a Christmas craft workshop has been organised, which will have a second session three days later. On 26th and 27th December, they will also arrive at Argel Square. And on the same day, 27th, the 'Mañanavieja', in the cloister of the old House of Mercy.

The municipal libraries will become a reference in Christmas 2024-25. From Monday, 16th to 30th December, a workshop for making Christmas cards and boots, and another for Christmas stories taught by Karen Jaruffe and Alexandre Morera, respectively, are planned. And on Thursday, 19th and Friday, 20th, it will be San Nicolás, who visits the Florida-Babel library.

'Alicante Commerce'

The 'Alicante Commerce' initiative will arrive at Benalúa Square on Friday, 13th December. A day later, at Argel Square. It includes workshops, 360º photo booth, virtual reality, entertainers, animations, and shows. In Benalúa, from 5 pm to 8 pm; in Argel Square, from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm. In the first of these locations, a Christmas animation activity will take place on Saturday, 14th December, in which stilt walkers and Christmas characters will participate to liven up shopping.

It can be seen on 19th December at the Pla-Carolinas market, and a day later in Florida-Portazgo Square. On 21st December, at the Babel market, in Puente and San Cristóbal squares, and on San Francisco Street -at the height of the Síndic de Greuges building-. On 23rd, in America Square; on 26th, at Pla-Carolinas; on 27th, at San Blas; and on Saturday, 28th, at Enrique Vidal Square (San Gabriel), and on Monday, 30th December, on Campoamor Promenade, next to the ADDA.

The 'Papanoleada', the usual motorcycle tour through the main streets of Alicante, is scheduled for 14th December. This activity, organised by the Department of Social Welfare, aims to collect toys for the most disadvantaged and vulnerable children. It will run from Río Júcar Street to José Romeu Zarandieta Street, between 8 am and 10 am.

The Educational Consumer Resources Centre has also joined the Christmas programme with different workshops. On 20th December, 'Our Kitchen'; on 23rd December, the kitchen, crafts, and excursions workshop. This second one, from 23rd to 30th December and on 2nd and 3rd January.

Musical Holidays

The 'Nadales al Carrer' activity will arrive on 14th December at Argel, Montañeta, Luceros, Séneca squares, Constitution Avenue, and the Teulada Street market, at 12 pm. It will feature performances by collas, choirs, chorales, and the Alicante Lyric Society. A week later, it will continue in the Carolinas, Babel markets, Navarro Rodrigo, 25th May, Séneca squares, and Constitution Avenue.

The Municipal Symphonic Band will offer its Christmas Concert on Saturday, 21st December at the Alicante Provincial Auditorium (ADDA), from 8 pm. Other scheduled concerts, without the presence of the Symphonic, are 'Christmas Stories to Ignite Dreams' and 'Cuentitis, Musiquitis, Naviditis'. The first, on 21st December; the second, seven days later. Both at the Tramway Shed bandstand, starting at 12:30 pm.

The concert by the Virtuós Mediterrani orchestra, directed by Gerardo Estrada, is also eagerly awaited, which will be held on 28th December, from 7 pm, in Rambla-Explanada Square.

On 28th December, Rambla-Explanada Square will host the 'Christmas Time' concert -7 pm-.

Fogueres en Nadal

The Federació de Fogueres also participates in Alicante's Christmas activities, as is tradition. Constitution Avenue is the chosen location for the celebration of the Hogueras Carol Contest, which has a record number of participants. Saturday, 18th December, from 6:30 pm. The following day, in two sessions, 11 am and 6:30 pm. They will continue on 18th December with the Christmas concert at the Co-Cathedral of San Nicolás -8 pm-.

A day later, on 19th December, will be the 'plantà' at 8 pm of the Fogueres en Nadal bonfire in Montañeta Square. It will allude to the fight against Alzheimer's. It will burn from 8 pm on 22nd December. Finally, on 31st December, at 2 pm, a 'mascletà' will be fired from the 'Pólvora tot l´any' cycle, in Galicia Square.

'Papanoelada'

The 'Papanoleada', the usual motorcycle tour through the main streets of Alicante, is scheduled for 14th December. This activity, organised by the Department of Social Welfare, aims to collect toys for the most disadvantaged and vulnerable children. It will run from Río Júcar Street to José Romeu Zarandieta Street, between 8 am and 10 am.

Sports Activities

The first of the planned sports activities is the 'Navi Fitness' on 15th December. It will be followed by the Christmas Swim, Sunday, 22nd December, starting from Postiguet Beach (9:30 am) and the Solidarity San Silvestre, which will start at 7:30 pm, on Friday, 27th December from Rambla de Méndez Núñez.

New Year's Eve

Both the children's and adult's New Year's Eve will be celebrated around a stage that will be set up on Rambla de Méndez Núñez, at the height of Portal del Elche. The chimes can also be heard from the Town Hall Square. The children's party will run from 10:30 am to 1:30 pm. A rehearsal of the chimes is scheduled at noon, with animation, photo booth, inflatables, and children's shows.

The adult's will run from 11 pm to 4 am. There will be free distribution of grapes and live music by the Athenas orchestra.

Parade of the Royal Pages

The Royal Pages -Lucía Navarro, Inés Domínguez, and Nuria Coves- will lead the parade on 4th January, starting from the bullring and ending at the pedestrian square Rambla-Explanada. At the end of the route -around 6 pm-, and on a stage, they will collect letters from the children to whom they will address a few words.

From 26th December to 4th January, the Royal Pages Camp, located in Gabriel Miró Square, will open at the same time. It will be necessary to have made a reservation, from 10 am on 18th December, at www.alicante.es

Three Kings Parade

The Three Kings - Hermann Schwarz, Ignacio Gally, and Fernando Candela - will arrive, around 5 pm, at the port of Alicante on the afternoon of 5th January 2025. They will then head towards the bullring where a children's show will be taking place until the moment when the Magi greet the children from the arena and deliver a welcome speech.

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The entourage will then proceed to Estación Avenue. From this point -around 7 pm- the parade will head towards Town Hall Square. Upon reaching this point, and on a stage, Melchior, Gaspar, and Balthazar will address the children.

From 26th December, starting at 10 am and through the advance sale system, seats can be purchased to watch the Three Kings Parade. It will be available at www.vivaticket.es and in person at the bullring box office.

Esta funcionalidad es exclusiva para registrados.

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todoalicante Complete Christmas 2024 Programme in Alicante: Events and Timings