It’s beginning to look a lot like…Christmas! Are you visiting Valencia during the holidays? The city might not have a white Christmas but you will definitely feel the holiday spirit! Ever sat on a terrace in the sun in December? With a bit of luck you can enjoy the Valencian sun with a drink during this season. On this page you can find information about Christmas in Valencia and where the best winterproof hotspots are during these days.
Christmas spirit in Valencia
You might not expect it, but Valencia is a must visit during the holidays! Many places in the city centre are lit, for example the streets Calle San Vicente Martir, Calle La Paz and Plaza Ayutamiento look magical! A large Christmas tree is placed on the square and most of the palm trees are covered in twinkly lights. It is definitely worth seeing! Furthermore the city consists of cosy markets, fun ice rinks and real life cribs. Our favourite ones are listed below!
CHRISTMAS MARKETS
The smell of hot chocolate and roasted chestnuts… whether you want to try Spanish delights, a hot drink or buy all your Christmas presents: in Valencia you’re at the right place! You can find a stand with typical Spanish chestnuts and almonds on the corner of every street. Or do you want to buy everything you need to prepare your own delicious meal? Below you can find all the Christmas markets in the city!
La Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias
The City of Arts and Sciences is always a real attraction but during the holiday season it is even more! There will be all kinds of fun activities. For example, you can ice skate next to L’Hemisfèric, attend a Christmas art workshop or jump as high as you can on one of the trampolines! Hungry after all this playing around? There will be all kinds of food trucks too! Or visit the market with jewelry, accessories and other Christmas items.
For kids
- Puppet show
- Colourful workshops like painting, globoflexia (making something out of balloons), coloring and other Christmas art
- Playground with trampolines, miniature golf and much more
The prices for next Christmas are not available yet, but to give you n indication here are the ones from last year.
Prices (2019/2020)
Kids area with playground, mini golf, train and more fun stuff: €2,50 or €6 for 2 hours
Multi-adventure zone: €7/40 min. €3/10 min (circuit for boys and girls above 7 years)
Date
December 14th – January 6:
Open from 11.30 till 21.00
December 13, 24, 25, 31 and January 5th:
Open from 11.30 till 16.30
Good to know! (2019/2020)
The kids area is closed on 18th till 21th of December between 11.30-19.30 pm
Mercado Central
The market hall of Mercado Central is the biggest of Europe! So you can imagine that the market is… well quite big! Are you going to prepare your own turkey or five course dinner during Christmas? Then you can find all the fresh products you need in this astonishing market hall! With more than 900 stalls we are sure you will be blown away by all these delicious foods, such as Jamon Serrano, the real Valencian oranges and the luscious Christmas sweet turrón.
Date
December 1st – January 6:
Open from 09.00 till 22.00
Keep in mind!
Good to know is that Mercado Central is closed on Sundays, but it’s surrounded with cute Christmas stands that are open all week long!
Plaza de la Reina
With 27 stalls, the Christmas market at Plaza de la Reina is a must visit! Here you can find all kinds of handmade products, clothes, jewelry and toys that make the place perfect to collect all your Christmas gifts at just one market! Do you feel cold? The market is located next to the Cathedral of Valencia, which is nice to have a look at as well. This way you will get to know the culture and history of the city better and at the same time you can give yourself a little sporty work out by climbing the stairs of El Micalet, the tower next to the Cathedral!
Date
November 29th – January 6th:
Open from 10.30 till 14.00 and 16.30 till 21.00
December 31st:
Open from 10.30 till 14.00
January 5th:
Open from 10.30 till 00.00
Tips
– Located nearby Plaza de la Reina you will find Mercado de Tapineria. At this market you can find almost everything you need. From scarves and accessories to a delightful bite. In the mood for a break? There are activities for the kids on this market as well, while you enjoy a drink!
Mercado de Colón
Have you already visited the beautiful Mercado de Colón? This popular place is not forgotten during Christmas. Also this market turns into a magical Christmas fair! Have a seat at one of the restaurants and enjoy the beautifully decorated market hall.
Date
December 12th till January 5th
Open from 11.00 till 14.00 and 17.00 till 21.00
Fun fact!
Did you know that a lot of Christmas trees in the city are fake, but the one in Mercado de Colón is real!? Just as the crib with Jozef, Maria and real animals!
Tip
The biggest real life crib of Spain is located in Xativa! If you want to have a real Christmas experience, this is where you should go. The little ones can see donkeys and sheep, you can have a hot chocolate or take a look around the city! Within fifty minutes driving from Valencia you will reach Xativa. Don’t you have a car? No worries, you can also go by train. Visiting the real life crib will complete your Christmas trip in Valencia!
ICE SKATING
During your winter stay in Valencia, ice skating can’t be skipped! What is a better way to warm up and have fun at the same time? The city has a few ‘pistas de hielo’. Time to make some pirouettes!
Plaza Ayuntamiento
Every year the governments square will be turned into a magical Christmas place. Besides hundreds of lights, stalls and a huge Christmas tree, you can also find an ice rink! It consists of two parts: a section for the smaller ones and a ring to show off some mature skills. The kids aren’t done playing yet? Maybe they like to have a round in the carousel or Christmas train. Fun for young and old!
Date
November 30th – January 6th:
Open from 11.00 till 23.00
Christmas Eve and New Years Eve:
Open from 11.00 till 20.00
Price
- Big ring: €8,00
- Small ring: €5,00
Nuevo Centro
Just outside the centre, besides the Turia Park you will find Nuevo Centro. In this shopping centre you can, starting from the end of Octobre, buy all your christmas gifts! Have you found a present for all your loved ones? If you spend more than €20 euros in one of the stores, you receive a discount to go ice skating. So when you’re in december before the 16th, you can have a round on the ice rink for free!
Date
October 25th – January 6th:
On weekdays open from 17.30 till 21.00
Friday, Saturdays and vacation days:
11.00 till 14.00 and 17.00 till 21.00
Costs (2019/2020)
- Without coupon: €8,00 (30 minutes, inclusive skates)
- Only €5 after a minimum purchase of €20 in Nuevo Centro
Christmas in Valencia with children
What is a nicer way then to celebrate a holiday with a lot of fun? In Valencia there are many activities for children and the ones below are the most popular.
Circus
We think the circus is one big party! An attractive show with clowns and acrobats is ideal for an evening out. Fortunately, there are many circuses around the holidays. Below you will find the circuses that were here in 2017/2018 to give you an idea!
Circo Gran Fele
Also this year Circo Gran Fele presents again their show El Tren. In this show you will be taken on a magical, impossible, but great train journey to an unknown destination. This show is suitable for all ages.
Date: December 30th – January 6th
Good to know: no shows on december 24, 26 and 31st & January 5th
Gran Circo Wonderland
This year is already the twelfth year of Circo Wonderland in Valencia! Beside authentic circus acts like clowns and acrobatics you will enjoy the legend of Tarzan and feel like you are in a real jungle. For more information and tickets see this website.
Date: November 30th – January 12th
from 12.00, 16.30 or 19.30 (closed on 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11, 13, 16 and 17 and 21 december & January 7,8 and 9)
Location: Avenida Pio Baroja 3
Price: between 20 and 37 Euros (depending on the seat)
Gran Circo Alaska
Gran Circo Alaska is a feast for the whole family. The show is packed with spectacularacts like trapeze, rings, acrobatics and magicians. For the kids there will besome special guests! More information about the circus you will find on the website.
Date: December 5th – January 12th
(closed on 9 – 12, 16 – 18th of december and 5, 7, 8th of January
Location: Avenue de les Tres Creus, 46014 València
Price: between €8 and €16 (depending on availability)
Kids under 2 years are free
Circo Raluy Legacy
The Raluy Legacy Circus is for the first time in Valencia and is a christmas circus. The circus is a show that combines the traditional theater with new innovations. Circo Raluy Legacy will be in Valencia from 1st of December till the 28th of January 2018. You will find the circus in La Marina de Valencia. More information about prices and tickets you will find on the website.
Date: December 5th – February 2nd
Location: (Marina) Sc Puerto 10
Price: between €10.00 and €40.00 (depending on availability)
Circ de Nadal – El Rey de la Selva
This circus is the only circus with animals in the show. The show is very spectacular and you can expect all kind of animals like tigers, crocodiles, elephants and much more. The circus tells different stories during the show. For more information and tickets, see the website.
Location: Just before the exit to Ikea in Alfafar/Massanassa (Valencia)
Price: from €9
Tip: keep in mind that the taxis in Valencia are quite cheap.
Funfair
Are you looking for a place in Valencia where children can play? Visit the funfair of Valencia! This gigantic funfair is situated close to the harbor and is the ideal place to spend a couple of hours. Cool stands, attractions, delicious food and a ferries wheel! On the 20th, 21st and 22nd of December there are specially organized days for children.
Location
Avenida del Puerto 330
46024 Valencia
Price: no entry fee; you pay per attraction (between 1 and 3 Euros)
Food, food and more food during Christmas
During Christmas there are some special things in Valencia that locals eat. During your holiday in Valencia its worth trying these special delicacies.
Turron
For example turron, this looks like nougat. The best turron you will find at Turrones Ramos. They have turron in all kind of shapes and flavours! You can taste your favorite before you buy it.
Location
Sombrerería 11
46001 Valencia
Valor
Have you ever tried the typical Spanish churros? Taste your first ones at Chocalatería Valor. Combined with a hot chocolate, this snack is perfect for a Spanish Christmas day. Besides churros, they also have all kinds of other chocolates. Perfect to get your body winter proof ;-)!
Location
Plaza de la Reina 20
46003 València
Cava
On New Year’s Eve we cheer with cava of course. In Valencia they have their very own Valencian cava to cheer with. For the best Valencia cava we can recommend Original CV Valencia.
Location
Plaza del Mercado 35
46070 Valencia
Polvorones
Polvorón is coming from the Moorish people. They used to make wine and sherry and the leftover from the eggs were given to the nuns of the Spanish monasteries. They made sweet cookies out of it to thank them or sell them. Nowadays the cookies are still a Spanish tradition during the holidays. You will find the polvorón in the supermarkets and at the bakery. The polvorón are made in different kind of flavours. For example the ones with the yellow paper have a lemon taste. Every color has their own flavour.
Celebrating New Years Eve in Valencia
Cheeeers! Are you in Valencia during New Years Eve? The city is has lots to offer on the 31th of December. On this page you can read the Spanish traditions and things you should know before you party the last night of the year away!
Opening hours during the holidays
Most cultural sites in Valencia have different opening hours during the holiday season. Always check the website before visiting! For example:
- Museo de Bellas Artes is closed on 25th of December and 1st of January (many museums are closed on Mondays)
- Museo de las Ciencias (Science museum) has different opening hours on 24th, 25th and 31st December and 1st of January. See their website for more information.
Recommendations
- Please keep in mind that, if you are planning to spend Christmas in Valencia, the 25th of December it is possible that many restaurants and bars are closed.
- Are you looking for an apartment in Valencia during the Christmas period and New Year’s Eve? You might want to take a look at the apartment’s page of Once Upon a Bike.
