PROPERTY SEARCH

December 20 Santa Claus parade returns to Orihuela Costa

A second Father Christmas parade will be held in Orihuela city on December 23

The Santa Claus parade is one of the most eagerly-anticipated events by little kids – and big ones too! – on the Christmas calendar and this year, organisers have promised that the event will be more colourful and action-packed than ever following a couple of rather underwhelming shows.

With less than a week to go until the big day on the 25th, Father Christmas is getting ready for his grand welcome on the Costa Blanca.

The first parade will kick off in Orihuela Costa this Friday December 20 at 6pm. The parade will start from the Town Hall offices in Playa Flamenca, passing through Antonio Vicea, Pablo Picasso, Dalí and Jade squares, and will end, as always, at the Zenia Boulevard shopping centre, where the traditional Santa Claus welcome for the little ones will take place.

Meanwhile, in Orihuela city, the parade will be on Monday December 23 at the slightly later time of 7pm. The route will start from Plaza del Carmen, passing through Marqués de Arneva, Santa Justa, López Pozas, Ramón y Cajal, Alfonso XIII, Loaces and Calderón de la Barca, and will end at Santa Claus Village (Glorieta Gabriel Miró), where the reception will take place.

As a novelty this year, Santa will set up shop in two different Christmas villages, so children will have plenty of opportunities to visit with the main man and deliver their lists.

It’s the first time Santa’s Grotto has come to the coast and the winter wonderland will be set up in the car park next to Zenia Boulevard on December 21 and 22. It will be open from 10am to 2pm and again from 5pm to 9pm.

The village will feature different decorated scenes, including a gift corner, a sweets corner and Santa's own house.

This year, the parades will be a little different following numerous complaints from parents about the poor quality of the procession in 2023.

Both events have been awarded to the Elche company La Nena Crea SL, for a total of 63,000 euros. The contract was divided into two lots: the parade in the city centre will cost 38,709.90 euros, while the one on the coast will cost 24,200 euros.

“This is one of the most eagerly awaited events by the little ones, and we have incorporated important new features this year”, Councillor Councillor for Festivities, Rocio Ortuño, said.

The councillor has invited “all the families of Orihuela, visitors and tourists to enjoy and participate in these activities to experience the magic of Christmas with the arrival of Santa Claus.”

You might also like: Crappy Christmas: meet the Caganer, the famous Spanish pooping decoration

Image: Pexels

Linea Directa Bottom Article A-L CAR INSURANCE

Sign up for the Spanish News Today Editors Roundup Weekly Bulletin and get an email with all the week’s news straight to your inbox

Special offer: Subscribe now for 25% off (36.95 euros for 48 Bulletins)