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Christmas in San Javier is always associated with nativity scenes but there are also concerts, storytelling, a Christmas market and many other events scheduled this year!

The festive season in San Javier, on the shore of the Mar Menor, is defined by the passion for nativity scenes: the “Belén de España” occupies an area of over 500 square metre and contains 2,000 figures, making it one of the largest in Spain, while some calculations suggest that the municipality has more public nativity scenes per square kilometre than any other town in the country!

But the 2023-24 program for Christmas, New Year and Three Kings also contains plenty of other attractions, including story-telling, a host of concerts and many more. Highlights include the local music group’s concert on December 22^nd, a Disney Gala on the 28^th and various theatrical events for both adults and children, with the focus of attention being on the Plaza de España and the Christmas market which runs until January 7^th on the Explanada Barnuevo.

The season ends in the traditional way, with the Three Kings arriving in Santiago de la Ribera by boat on 5^th January and parading to the centre of San Javier.

Friday December 15

20.00: Inauguration of the Playmobil nativity scene at the Museo de San Javier, where the Christmas arts and traditions exhibition opens.

Saturday December 16

20.00: Official opening speech of the Christmas festivities, followed by the presentation of the “Belén de la Marquesa” nativity scene at the parish church of San Francisco Javier.

Sunday December 17

6th Mar Menor Running Challenge, starting and finishing in Plaza Bohemia, La Manga del Mar Menor. Registration until 12th December at www.famu.es.

20.00: Christmas theatre: La Pastora, Un Cuento de Navidad at the church of San Francisco Javier.

Tuesday December 19

19.30: Christmas choir concert at the church of Santiago Apóstol in Santiago de la Ribera.

Friday December 22

18.00: Father Christmas arrives in Santiago de la Ribera to open the Christmas market and the “Belén Marinero” nativity scene.

20.00: Concert by the Banda Sinfónica de San Javier at the winter theatre.

December 22 to January 7

11.00 to 20.00: Christmas market on the Explanada Barnuevo in Santiago de la Ribera.

Saturday December 23

18.00: Christmas theatre: La Pastora, Un Cuento de Navidad in Santiago de la Ribera.

20.00: The opening of the massive Belén de España in the Plaza de España (next to the Town Hall), one of the largest nativity scenes in Spain.

Saturday December 24

12.00: El Principito, storytelling in Santiago de la Ribera.

Sunday December 25

18.15, 19.00 and 19.45: Christmas musical in the Plaza de España.

Tuesday December 26

12.00: Grinch-based children’s games and story-telling in the Plaza de España.

20.00: The Patnia Chamber Choir Christmas concert in the church of San Francisco Javier.

Wednesday December 27

11.00: Gardening workshop in Santiago de la Ribera.

16.00: Christmas tree decorations workshop in Santiago de la Ribera.

Thursday December 28

12.00: Storytelling, A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens (in Spanish) in Santiago de la Ribera.

19.00: Disney Gala by the municipal dance workshop at the winter theatre.

Friday December 29

11.00: New Year’s card workshop in Santiago de la Ribera.

16.00: Christmas character illustration workshop in Santiago de la Ribera.

18.00: Rojo Estándar, a circus and dance spectacle in the Plaza de España.

Saturday December 30

12.00: Nube Nube, actresses and puppets in the winter theatre.

16.00: Clay modelling workshop with sculptor Juan José Quirós in Santiago de la Ribera.

18.30: Trio Piacere in concert in Santiago de la Ribera.

19.30: The 4^th annual Cabo de Palos paddle surf trip starts at in Cabo de Palos

Sunday December 31

12.00: Children’s New Year in Santiago de la Ribera.

Tuesday January 2

12.00: Children’s games and story-telling in the Plaza de España based on A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens.

Wednesday January 3

12.00: Rocket Carnival Clownz circus show in Santiago de la Ribera.

18.00: Guided tour of the Belén de España in the Plaza de España.

18.30: The Rondalla Santiago Apóstol, traditional song and dance in Santiago de la Ribera.

Friday January 5

12.00: How the Grinch stole Christmas storytelling in Santiago de la Ribera.

17.30: The Three Kings arrive in the municipality of San Javier by boat in Santiago de la Ribera. Their Majesties then begin their parade to the centre of the town, arriving in time for the Mayor, José Miguel Luengo, to entrust them with the magic keys which allow them to distribute presents before first light.

20.00: The night before Three Kings is celebrated in the Plaza de España.

For more local events, news and visiting information visit the home page of San Javier Today.

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