10 December Tips in Alicante

December is a special month in Alicante. Although you might first think of palm trees instead of Christmas trees when you hear Alicante, nothing could be further from the truth. In Alicante you’ll find the world’s largest nativity scene, a full 20 meters high! Lights are everywhere in the city and the tastiest hot chocolate can be found on Alicante’s Explanada at Valor. Parties are still allowed after 5 p.m. here, so make good use of that! In this blog you’ll find hip and cozy restaurants where you can enjoy the best dishes and most beautiful views late into the night. All the more reasons to visit Alicante in the winter months too. That’s why in this blog I’m sharing the 10 best December tips for what to see and do in Alicante.

Photo: Europa Press

Tip 1: World’s largest nativity scene

The world’s largest nativity scene is in Alicante! On Alicante’s boulevard, the Explanada, there is a huge 20‑meter‑high sculpture of Joseph, Mary and baby Jesus in the manger. The figures can be seen until 6 January. The idea is to give joy and hope a place again through beautiful decorations in the city. It certainly looks cheerful! At the end of the boulevard you’ll see a huge Christmas tree made entirely of lights. The nativity scene is now in the Guinness Book of Records.

Tip 2: Fireworks on 6 December

On 6 December there’s the so‑called “Palmera” of fireworks — a gigantic rocket that explodes into a palm‑tree shape. It’s launched from the castle and can be seen from the boulevard and from El Postiguet beach. The rocket will be fired at 8:00 p.m. in the colors of the Spanish flag. 6 December is a public holiday in Spain: Constitution Day.

Photo: informacion.es

Tip 3: The house of Santa Claus

In the city, Santa’s house has been recreated. By making an appointment via www.alicante.es — Cita previa — Fiestas, you can book a time slot to visit the one and only Papá Noel. I have to be honest: slots fill up quickly, so there may be no places left when this blog goes live. If people cancel, a blue box reappears. So it’s always worth trying again. In addition, there are all kinds of children’s activities in the center by the old bus station — for example a giant slide. In the town of Santa Pola, 15 minutes from Alicante, you can also visit Santa’s house. There you don’t need an appointment; just join the queue.

Photo: Diario Información

Tip 4: Dining at Christmas

Expect huge crowds, because Christmas in Alicante is celebrated on a grand scale — and there’s only **one** Christmas Day! Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. The day after, most people are back at work. Quite odd for a country with so many saints’ days! You can reserve via my app or through this blog:

My recommendations:

1) Hotel Jova Restaurante Xarxar — El Campello. Beautiful, brand‑new restaurant by the sea, suitable for children. After dinner they can play on the promenade.

2) Convistas — Special Christmas menu with a panorama over the entire city! Top floor of the strikingly colored hotel on the Explanada boulevard.

3) Petimetre in Playa San Juan. Special Christmas Eve drinks with bites. Booking is a must. €40 p.p. Cozy vibe, lots of young people, good food, beautiful restaurant.

Dessert at El Portal… Christmas 2020

Tip 5: Make a Christmas wreath

Several florists are again organizing a crafty afternoon this year to make your own beautiful Christmas wreath. Examples include La Trastienda and La Federica . You can sign up via their websites. Don’t speak much Spanish? A wreath is called “corona” in Spanish — not the cheeriest word, but hopefully a very cheerful afternoon. On the site, look under *Tienda* for *Navidad* and *Corona*. Then you can select a time slot. The price is around €40 including materials, a cup of coffee, etc. Maybe not ideal to take in your suitcase, but great if you rent out your home here or have a second house! A true local activity!

Photo: lafedericafloristeria.com

Tip 6: *Feria de Navidad* — the winter fair

On the large grounds along the motorway towards the airport, a winter fair is set up every year: 19 rides for adults and 15 for children. I’m not much of a fair fan myself, and I’ve heard not all the rides are equally reliable. But if you like having a look — or want churros, waffles or cotton candy — then definitely stop by!

Address: C. Bolulla, 20, 03009 Alicante

Get a first impression of the Winter Fair in Alicante here

Tip 7: Christmas circus at the theater

From 22 to 30 December there’s a circus in Alicante’s theater . That’s a party in itself — a feast for the eyes. And experiencing a Spanish circus is a spectacle for the whole family! Tickets cost between €25 and €50.

Tip 8: Fireworks and grapes on the Town Hall square on 31 December

Town Hall square fills with people. Grapes are handed out for free (you can also buy a little can in the supermarket beforehand). These are eaten with the final 12 chimes of the old year. You’ll also see fireworks from the square. Private fireworks are **not** allowed. As is customary, you wish each other a happy new year and then head into the city for one of the parties that last until the early morning… Go to the Barrio (the old town) or to Calle Castaños. Here you can party all night. Still not done? Continue to trendy Marmarela in the port . A ticket costs about €50 — and you’ll be one of the cool kids at this party! ( Buy your ticket online in advance .)

You can buy these grapes in a clock‑themed package, for example at Mercadona

Tip 9: Free Christmas‑lights bus through Alicante

There’s an enormous amount of Christmas lighting in Alicante this year. To see everything properly, a free bus runs along the most beautiful decorations. You can use it from 23 December to 6 January. The bus comes every 15 minutes and follows this route: Rambla, Plaza de España (Panteón de Quijano), Plaza de los Luceros, Reyes Católicos, avenidas del Doctor Gadea y Federico Soto, and Portal de Elche.

Tip 10: High tea in El Campello

Alicante Cakes is organizing a High Tea together with The Garden Room in El Campello on 11 December. Prefer to avoid the crowds right now? Then you can have the High Tea delivered to your home in the Alicante region on Sunday the 12th. Book via www.thegardenroomcafe.com

Need even more tips in Alicante? Then download the Alicante Like a Local App!

On my Alicante Like a Local page on Instagram you’ll also find a Guide with all the December tips.

Nice that you’ve read my blog this far! I’m very curious what you think. Have you used my app a lot? I’d love it if you’d post a review in the App Store!

Sunny greetings,

Monique