Celebrating the Holiday Season in Valencia: Events and Activities

Valencia comes alive during the holiday season. Streets glow with festive lights, plazas fill with markets and music, and there’s no shortage of activities for families, visitors, and longtime residents alike.

This is an ongoing, regularly updated guide to Christmas and holiday events in Valencia, running through early January. Check back often, as new events are added and schedules may change.

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Christmas Markets

Valencia hosts a wide variety of Christmas markets throughout December and early January, from traditional artisan stalls to curated design fairs.

• Plaza de la Reina Artisans Market
  Dozens of stalls selling handmade crafts and artisan products in the city center. Open daily until 6 January, from 10:30 – 14:00 and 16:30 – 21:00.
• Mercado Colón Christmas Market
  A curated selection of handmade crafts and gourmet goods, with special events from 17 December to 5 January. Highlights include a screening of The Nutcracker on 19 December and Christmas concerts on 26 and 30 December.
• Les Arts Christmas Market
  The City of Arts and Sciences hosts a family-friendly market with workshops, performances, and children’s activities. Runs until 6 January. Full program
• Mercado de Tapinería
  A small but lively Christmas market in a historic plaza, featuring quirky gifts and local designers, from 19 December to 5 January.
• Mercadillo del Centro Christmas Market
  Artisanal crafts, food, and fashion stalls between Calle Hospital and Avenida del Oeste in the historic center. Open daily until 10:00 pm from 24 December to 5 January.
• Illustration Fair Christmas Market
  A one-day illustration fair featuring 44 artists, held at Parque Central’s Nave 3 Ribes on 27 December, from 11:00–17:00.
• Kings’ Market in Cabanyal
  A traditional Three Kings market at Mercado del Cabanyal, ideal for last-minute shopping for clothes, toys, and sweets. Open from 2–5 January, until 10:00 pm.

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Christmas Fairs and Seasonal Attractions

Beyond markets, Valencia offers festive fairs, amusement rides, and large-scale holiday attractions throughout the city.

• Plaza del Ayuntamiento Festivities
  Christmas fireworks every Saturday at 6:30 pm during the holiday season. The Christmas Train and ice rink run until 6 January.
• Christmas Fair at the Port
  Located at the former Estación del Grau (between Avenida de Francia and Ingeniero Manuel Soto), this fair features a Ferris wheel, bumper cars, games, and food stalls. Open until 18 January.
• La Plazeta Valencia Christmas Market
  Ice-skating rink, food trucks, and an inflatable play area at La PlaZeta Theatre, from 20 December to 4 January.
• The Christmas Ship
  Docked at Tinglado 2 in the Marina until 4 January, this themed cruise offers children’s activities with characters like Santa Claus and the Grinch.
• ExpoJove
  Valencia’s annual Children and Youth Fair at Feria Valencia, with workshops, shows, music, and interactive activities from 26 December to 4 January.
• Parque Central Christmas Park
  Parque Central’s former warehouses become a hub for Three Kings celebrations, offering free shows and children’s activities from 26 December to 4 January.
• Festival of Magic
  An international lineup of magicians performing at Teatro La PlaZeta from 26 December to 4 January.

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Christmas Circus Shows

The holidays are peak circus season in Valencia, with productions all across the city.

• Circo Wow
  An aquatic-themed circus show at the Marina’s Plaça de l’Aigua.
• Circo Alaska
  A theatrical production inspired by The Little Mermaid, located near Avenida Tres Cruces.
• Gran Circo Wonderland
  One of Valencia’s longest-running circuses, pitched near Bioparc, featuring classic acrobatics and trapeze acts.
• Raluy Legacy Circus
  A family-run circus in Campanar with a futuristic “cyborg” theme, combining acrobatics and animatronics.
• Teatro Escalante Holiday Performances
  Teatro Escalante teams up with Teatro Principal for a series of holiday acrobatic and dance performances.

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Christmas Music and Concerts

Festive music fills churches, markets, and public squares throughout the season, with many free performances.

• Choral Christmas Concerts
  A series of choral performances held daily at Plaza del Patriarca.
• Valencia String Quartet
  Free Saturday morning recitals at 11:00 am at Mercat del Grau.

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Christmas Charity Events

The holiday season also brings opportunities to give back and support local causes.

• Papanoelada Santa Motorcade
  On 21 December, hundreds of motorcyclists dressed as Santa Claus ride through Valencia collecting toys for children in need.
• Bioparc Puppy Parade
  An annual adoption-focused event on 21 December, showcasing dogs looking for a new home.
• San Silvestre 5K Run
  A festive charity race held at the end of the year, with runners donning costumes ranging from Santa suits to elves.