Week in News: Christmas Hopes and New Year Changes
Bon dia! A blast of polar air will keep Valencia unusually cold this Christmas week, with rain possible and even some snow forecast in higher inland areas, writes Las Provincias.
I won’t be posting Weekend Highlights this holiday Thursday, but you can find a full roundup of seasonal activities here: Celebrating the Holiday Season in Valencia.
Christmas
Spain’s Christmas Lottery is being drawn this morning. Valencians spent an average of €85 per person on lottery tickets this year, reports Valencia Plaza.
There are more than €2.7 billion in prizes this year, in what remains one of the country’s most cherished — and most expensive — traditions.
But what happens if you win? Around 70% of lottery winners lose their wealth within five years, reports
Valencia Plaza, which also offers a podcast (in Spanish) on what to do if you’re lucky enough to land El Gordo.
Politics
Regional elections in Extremadura have dealt a blow to Spain’s Socialist Party (PSOE), without handing an outright majority to the conservative Partido Popular, reports El País. The far-right Vox party made significant gains and now holds a pivotal role in the region.
In Valencia, newly appointed Generalitat President Juanfran Pérez Llorca met last week with Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, writes El Mundo. They agreed to open a joint regional–national commission to coordinate recovery from the 2024 DANA floods, though financing remains unresolved.
Families of DANA flood victims are now refusing to meet with Pérez Llorca unless former president Carlos Mazón is stripped of his parliamentary seat, opening him to possible criminal prosecution, reports Valencia Plaza.
Demonstrations filled Valencia’s streets on Saturday to protest rising housing prices, writes elDiario.es.
Protesters blamed a lack of affordable housing and the growth of tourist rentals.
Valencia’s mayor, María José Catalá, received an unusual Christmas gift this week: a newly composed pasodoble performed by the Municipal Symphony Orchestra, reports Las Provincias.
City News
Mayor Catalá has unveiled plans for a 30-storey skyscraper at Valencia’s Marina, writes Levante-EMV.
The €120 million project could be used for hotel, office, or commercial space.
The new underground passage linking Xàtiva Metro station to Calle Alicante has officially opened, writes Levante-EMV. More than seven million commuters a year are expected to use it.
The Cercanías C3 line to Buñol has finally been restored after flood damage, writes Las Provincias.
The section to Utiel remains under construction.
Spain is launching a new nationwide rail pass allowing unlimited Cercanías and medium-distance travel for €60 a month, reports Onda Cero.
And a reminder for scooter users: from January 2, all scooters must be insured and registered with the DGT, reports Las Provincias.
Culture & Sport
Celebrity chef José Andrés made a surprise visit to Mercado Central, writes Las Provincias. He shopped in several stalls after a leisurely breakfast with fellow Michelin-starred chef, Ricard Camarena.
Ukraine’s national football team is considering the Ciutat de València stadium for its World Cup qualifier against Poland, reports Las Provincias. Valencia is home to one of Spain’s largest Ukrainian communities, with more than 10,000 residents.
That’s it for this week. Wishing everyone a peaceful and happy holiday week. I’ll be back next Monday with more local news from Valencia.
Author: Atika
Writer and journalist based in Valencia. She mixes hard news with creative storytelling and a dash of local curiosity. You might spot her biking through the city, chasing stories — or just a good cortado.