Until January 6 Christmas, New Year and Three Kings in San Javier 2024-25
Choral concerts and music and activities for children in San Javier, Santiago de la Ribera, La Manga and Roda
The monumental Belén (or nativity scene) in the Plaza de España, which will be set up this year for the 57th time, is arguably the star of the show in the annual festivities to celebrate Christmas in San Javier, but of course it is far from being the only attraction and there are a host of other events and activities over the festive season in the municipality.
The main events in San Javier focus around the Plaza de España and the enormous Belén, while there are also various other nativity scenes on display, including those in the church of San Javier and the Town Hall, both of which are located in the same square in the town centre. Most of the other activities in San Javier, including music and dance, as well as the Three Kings and Father Christmas also take place in this area.
A second focal point for activity is the Explanada Barnuevo in Santiago de la Ribera, where there is another nativity scene (the Belén Marinero), and various events are being held.
The program for the 2024-25 festive season in San Javier includes the following events:
Thursday December 12
17.00: Special Christmas edition of “Your Park or Mine” in the Parque Almansa, click here for further details.
20.30: Sonrisas Harmony in concert at the church of San Francisco Javier.
Friday December 13
21.00: Ruth Lorenzo offers a Christmas concert at the Teatro de Invierno in Parque Almansa. Tickets from 15 euros available online here with funds going to aid those affected by the DANA in Valencia.
Friday December 20
18.00: Father Christmas arrives at the Explanada Barnuevo in Santiago de la Ribera and the Christmas market opens.
December 20 to January 5
The Christmas market opens on the Explanada Barnuevo in Santiago de la Ribera with 23 stands and a food truck.
The market opens on Christmas Day from 11.00 to 14.00, but closes on New Year’s Day.
Saturday December 21
12.00: Magic and comedy with Kachinoseve.
14.00: Concert by Café del Parque on the Explanada Barnuevo.
18.00: Concert by Dora Helena on the Explanada Barnuevo.
20.30: Official opening speech of the festive season and the presentation of the Belén de la Marquesa in the church of San Francisco Javier.
Sunday December 22
12.00: The Chocolate Factory, a children’s show on the Explanada Barnuevo.
14.00: Concert by Bis A Bis on the Explanada Barnuevo.
17.30: Concert by Stolen on the Explanada Barnuevo.
18.00: Christmas concert of the Banda Sinfónica de San Javier in the Teatro de Invierno, admission free of charge.
20.00: “La estrellera y el reloj del tiempo”, a festive play in the church of San Francisco Javier.
Monday December 23
11.30 and 16.00, Children’s workshops on the Explanada Barnuevo, followed by music from the Rondalla y Coro Santiago Apóstol at 18.30.
20.00: The official opening of the Belén de España in the Plaza de España, accompanied by a “Zambomba Flamenca” musical performance by the Escuela Jesús Quiles.
Tuesday December 24
12.00: “Una Navidad muy pirata”, family activities on the Explanada Barnuevo.
Wednesday December 25, Christmas Day
18.00: La Marimorena de Rafael de Utrera, traditional Andalusian music and dance in the Plaza de España.
Thursday December 26
11.30 and 16.00: Children’s workshops on the Explanada Barnuevo.
12.00: Children’s activities in the Plaza de España.
18.00: Concert by Adrián Ruiz on the Explanada Barnuevo.
20.00: The chamber orchestra Virtuós Mediterrani present their Christmas concert in the Teatro de Invierno with music made popular by artists including Michael Bubble and Frank Sinatra. Tickets 15 euros + costs available online here.
Friday December 27
11.30 and 16.00: Children’s workshops on the Explanada Barnuevo.
19.00: The family opera The Magic Flute by Mozart at the Teatro de Invierno. Tickets available from 10 euros online here.
Saturday December 28
11.00: Detectives del Arte, an activity for all the family at the Belén de España.
12.00: “Pequeños cuentos de Navidad”, children’s theatre on the Explanada Barnuevo.
12.00: Free guided tour of the Belén de la Marquesa and the Belén de España.
14.00: Concert by Serendipity Dúo on the Explanada Barnuevo.
18.00: Popular Christmas music in the Plaza de España.
18.00: Concert by Jesús Hernández and Amber Kay on the Explanada Barnuevo.
Sunday December 29
10.00: The official postman of the Three Kings collects present letters at an event for children in the pine grove of Roda.
12.00: Children’s theatre on the Explanada Barnuevo.
14.00: Javier Alcaraz offers a piano recital on the Explanada Barnuevo.
17.30: Concert by Filiu y Cía on the Explanada Barnuevo.
18.00 and 20.00: Two performances of The Nutcracker ballet by the Taller Municipal de Danza at the Teatro de Invierno. Admission free of charge.
Monday December 30
11.30 and 16.00: Children’s workshops on the Explanada Barnuevo.
18.00: The Jurassic Band in concert on the Explanada Barnuevo.
Tuesday December 31
11.30: Children’s New Year party on the Explanada Barnuevo.
All-day New Year’s Eve celebrations in the Plaza de Castillo del Mar in La Manga, including singing and dancing for children at 10.45, children’s workshops from 12.30 to 14.30, other children’s activities during the afternoon and concerts by The Jurassic Band at 15.00 and DJ music starting at 17.00. A charity Christmas is held during the day.
Thursday January 2
11.30 and 16.00: Children’s workshops on the Explanada Barnuevo.
12.00: “Una Navidad muy pirata”, family activities in the Plaza de España.
18.00: Michel Havana, “The Man of 1,000 Voices”, in concert on the Explanada Barnuevo.
Friday January 3
11.30 and 16.00: Children’s workshops on the Explanada Barnuevo.
18.00: Magic and comedy by Lumaky on the Explanada Barnuevo.
18.00 and 19.00: Family shows in the Plaza de España.
Saturday January 4
Open doors and charity day at the sports centre located at km 12 in La Manga, with free padel tennis courts, face-painting, running races, music, games and a Christmas market.
12.00: Children’s workshops and activities on the Explanada Barnuevo.
14.30: Andrés Ballester in concert on the Explanada Barnuevo./ Concierto
18.00: The Aparatus Band in ocnert on the Explanada Barnuevo.
20.00: New Year concert at the Teatro de Invierno featuring The Four Seasons by Vivaldo, performed by the Orquesta Meyerbeer with violin soloist Antonio García. Admission free of charge.
Sunday January 5
12.00: Music and dancing for children on the Explanada Barnuevo.
18.00: The Three Kings arrive at the jetty in Santiago de la Ribera before beginning their procession to the Plaza de España in San Javier.
20.00: An official welcome is extended by local dignitaries to Their Royal Highnesses the Three Kings in the Plaza de España.
Monday January 6
11.00: Hot chocolate and Roscón de Reyes cake in the pine grove of Roda.
Address
Calle Padre Juan. Centro Cultural Principe de Asturias 30720 SAN JAVIERTel: 968 571 704
Oficina de Turismo de San Javier
The municipality of San Javier has three main offices giving tourist information to visitors, as well as two information points. The tourist offices are located in Santiago de la Ribera, on the ground floor of the town hall in San Javier and at the start of La Manga. There is also a summer tourist information point located on the seafront in Santiago de la Ribera as well as one at kilometre 12-13 of La Manga del Mar Menor next to Playa Mistral.
Due to its location on the fringes of the Mar Menor and Mediterranean, San Javier has a period of intense summer tourism activity during the peak summer months, although it is popular with retirees of all nationalities out of peak season.
Tickets for the annual San Javier Jazz Festival can be purchased at the Festival office in San Javier Town Hall, Plaza de España.
Timetables summer 2024:
Tourist office Santiago de la Ribera (Calle Padre Juan 30720, Santiago de la Ribera)
Weekdays 9.00 to 14.00 and 18.00 to 21.00
Weekends and public holidays 10.00 to 13.00
Telephone: 661 572285
Email: turismo@sanjavier.es
La Manga del Mar Menor (Gran Vía Km. 0 30380, La Manga del Mar Menor):
May 1 to September 30:
Weekdays 10.00 to 14.00 and 17.00 to 19.00
Weekends and public holidays 10.30 to 13.00
Telephone 968 128955 ext. 2
Tourist information point of San Javier (Plaza de España, 30730 San Javier):
Weekdays 9.00 to 14.00
968 573 700 ext #5351
Email: concejaliadeturismo@sanjavier.es
Tourist information point of Santiago de la Ribera (Paseo Colón on the seafront)
Weekdays 9.00 to 14.00 and 18.00 to 21.00
Weekends and public holidays 10.00 to 13.00
Tourist information point of La Manga del Mar Menor (Playa Mistral, km 12)
Weekdays 11.00 to 18.00
Weekends and public holidays 11.00 to 14.00
