Christmas Lights in Málaga: Lighting, Timetables, Background Music, and New Decorations

One of the most anticipated moments for lovers of the holiday season has arrived. On Friday, November 28, the Christmas lights in the center of Malaga will be turned on. The event will start at 6:30 PM and the artists from the cast of 'Imagine, the Path to Dreams,' which is shown at the Sohrlin Andalucía space located in the Carretera de Cádiz neighborhood, will be responsible for pressing the button. This circus-theater show, created by Domingo Merlin and Antonio Banderas, combines acrobatics, music, technology, and artistic innovation.

Prior to the lighting, the artists from 'Imagine,' including Malaga natives Juanjo Martín and Tony Romero, will perform a staging specifically created as part of this work and adapted to the event on Larios street. Specifically, as detailed by the Malaga City Council in a statement, "the city will symbolically open a portal between Sohrlin Andalucía and the heart of the historic center. Through it, Mr. Imagine and the staff of the Imagine Hotel will cross this magical threshold to arrive at Larios street, becoming the officials in charge of lighting up the Malaga Christmas."

Subsequently, there will be a Christmas concert, organized by the Cope Malaga radio station, which this time will feature the gospel choir 'Verso Libre.'

The Musical Thread of Larios Street

Once the artists of 'Imagine, the Path to Dreams' press the lighting button, the following musical pieces will play: 'Imagine Will Be Your Voice' (Merlin Productions and Sohrlin Andalucía), 'Toy Symphony' (L. Mozart), and 'The Fish in the River' (David Bisbal).

The light and sound show will continue until January 4 - on December 24 and 31 and January 5 it will be on, but without music - and the showtimes will be at 6:30 PM, 8:30 PM, and 10:00 PM. The City Council notes that the repertoire on other days will be expanded to include more songs, including those already mentioned.

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New Lighting Show

After three years decorated with celestial angels, Larios street debuts a new lighting show named 'Nativity of Light.' Noteworthy in the composition are large medallions representing the mystery of the Nativity in various images, which will synchronize with the music to offer a unique visual and auditory spectacle. The structure, once assembled by Ximénez Lighting, is completed with 16 stars, 32 side columns, and 32 streaks or bursts.

The lighting will remain on from 6:30 PM to 12:00 AM on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Sundays, while on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and the eve of holidays it will extend until 2:00 AM. On December 24 and 31, it will remain until 6:00 AM the following day.

Decoration in the Vicinity of Larios Street

The streets perpendicular to the main avenue of the Center will feature new motifs in harmony with the main design. They will also display medallions with illustrations based on the mystery of the Nativity, creating a harmonious ensemble that will enhance the Christmas experience throughout the area.

The decoration will include 207 luminous arches, 44 decorated lanterns, and 130 grouped motifs, in addition to four illuminated facades and 36 ground figures that will add dynamism to pedestrian spaces.

Four pines and three-dimensional structures will be installed, along with six luminous signs. The lighting will be completed with 20,490 garlands distributed and a total of 86 small natural trees, 66 medium ones, and one large one, in addition to another 21 trees, which will contribute to the ambiance of squares and avenues.

Specifically, the Paseo del Parque will have 14 arches and 36 illuminated trees; in the Plaza de la Marina, there will be a seven-meter-high fir tree, seven arches, and six illuminated trees, while the Alameda will once again have the same lighting system that simulates a kind of forest to enhance the splendor of the ficus.

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'Video Mapping' at Malaga Cathedral

A new show will also premiere in the 'video mapping' or architectural projection of the Cathedral, 'The Fisherman of Dreams,' based on a Christmas tale with characters inspired by a unique and Malaga-specific profession, that of the fishmongers. The projection includes an introduction, the central part with the tale, and the final scene in 3D, where various elements such as stained glass are recreated. It will also feature effects such as smoke machines, robotic lighting heads, anti-aircraft spotlights, or special reinforcement in sub-bass frequencies.

It will open on Saturday, November 29, and the shows will be at 7:00 PM, 8:30 PM, and 10:00 PM, every day until January 4, 2026, except December 24 and 31.

Projection on the Facade of the City Hall

The facade of the City Hall will again feature Christmas-themed projections this year, after its debut in 2024. Stars, Christmas balls, and various traditional icons and motifs will be displayed continuously. It will open on November 29, with the same schedule as the lighting on Larios street.

Unique Decoration on San Juan Street

San Juan street also renews its unique decoration, with three differentiated luminous spaces. First, there is the area called 'Baroque Dream,' with nine crystal chandeliers, like jewels suspended in the air, which according to its creators "evokes the nostalgia and magic of the holidays."

The second part, 'Victorian Nostalgia,' will feature 15 hand-made Victorian-style wire lamps and garlands.

And the third area, 'Whisper of Winter,' with 100 linear meters of luminous garlands that snake between the balconies, and lamp covers made with moss and lace fabric that will dress the street with a crafty and magical air.

Millions of LED Points

In total, both in the Center and in other emblematic areas of the capital, 2.7 million LED points will be deployed "consolidating Malaga as one of the major references for Christmas in Spain," to which the Christmas lighting on 500 streets in the districts will be added.

As a demonstration of the commitment to energy efficiency, the City Council highlights the use of Ecogreenlux technology, in Larios street as well as other adjacent streets, which reduces light pollution by up to 93% and allows energy savings of up to 60% compared to traditional elements. This technology is patented by the company awarded the contract, Ximenez Group.

In addition, the Christmas motifs made with this technology not only light up at night but also decorate during the day without being lit.

This lighting will join the Christmas lighting and decorations deployed by the districts of Malaga in the different neighborhoods, which cover around 500 streets.