To get into the matter, nothing better than visiting one of the most impressive nativity scenes in Galicia. For example, we can even walk among figures of our size in VIveiro’s giant nativity scene, “Viveiro before the crib”. Another of the best, also in the province of Lugo, is the Begonte electronic nativity scene, where we even see the change of day and the change of weather, storm included. The artisan nativity scene in motion by Valga is distinguished by including elements of current events and Galician rural life. The one at the Lice de Betanzos has a soundtrack and built-in narration, to the beat of the movement of the figures. The one from the Third Order of Ferrol has a story, in this case, with a page-boy. In Ourense we have the Baltar nativity scene, one hundred percent from Ourense, which can also be seen all year round. And a visit to the cathedral of Santiago is always successful, especially if we go to see the nativity scene. In any case, this year it will be in the church of San Agustín. In the same city, it is worth visiting San Fiz.

There are places where it is not enough to set up nativity scenes, which have to set up entire Christmas villages. This is the case of Aldeas de Nadal de Lalín, an authentic Christmas theme park, with 41 little houses distributed throughout the village of Santa Claus, that of the Apalpador, that of the Three Wise Men, that of the Elves, that of Music and that of the fairies. In Allariz the decoration is peculiar, made from sustainable materials with the collaboration of businesses, entities and neighbors. They have the Christmas Square, the Miniiworld, the Apalpador Farm, the Forest of the Elves, the amusement park and the market. Cambados also has its Christmas village in the Fefiñáns square, with an artificial lake. In Pontevedra there is also a Christmas village in the A Ferrería Square. We also have a rustic Christmas, in A Veiga, a Christmas forest in Noalla… Yes, there is a choice…

Listening to a good Christmas story is another plan to consider. On these dates, the libraries, with the activities of Nadal na Rede, have a very attractive program, with workshops, storytelling, guided tours… In the museums there are also different plans. In the City of Culture, for example, from December 16, with the switching on of the exterior lighting, Christmas activities began, theater, workshops, virtual reality experiences in the Galiverso and special family visits, these from the 27th to 30 and 3, 4 and 8 January.

The castles also sign up for Christmas. In the castle of Vimianzo, on December 23, they light the cepo de nadal (Christmas log) in the lareira. Sobroso Castle is highly ornate, with the field filled with deer and lights. On the other hand, in the castle of Soutomaior there are dramatized visits, workshops, mailbox of dreams and a famous market.

Speaking of markets, there are some very lively ones, with entertainment for the little ones, such as the one in A Coruña, in the María Pita Square, with an igloo for children’s activities; that of Santiago, in carreira do Conde and the Central Area; that of Pontevedra in A Ferrería; the one in Ourense in the San Lázaro park; the one in Tui on the A Corredoira promenade…

Although rivers and lakes do not freeze here at the moment, we can always put on some bladed skates and slide down one of the ice rinks that are set up in Galicia ahead. The one in Alameda in Santiago, the one in A Coruña, the one in Samil and the Náutico in Vigo are already classic… And every year there are more places to skate, since it is something very fun (Vimianzo, Oleiros, Santa Comba, Sarria, Cedeira, Vilalba…).

Of course, we must talk about the “city where Christmas lives”: Vigo. If we are into lighting, a visit is a must. It takes time, because all the Christmas entertainment is concentrated here: large illuminated scenes in the middle of the streets, market, train, noria, roller coaster… For the more traditional, you can still see the monumental nativity scene in the House of Arts.

After the December celebrations, we still have five days left for Three Kings. Five very exciting days, in which you have to start thinking about finding a place in one of the kings parades. In Vigo there is a static parade in the morning, parked on Castelao Avenue, which starts in the afternoon, from America Square to Sun Gate. The theme of the show is children’s movies. In A Coruña, the floats will carry Picassian details, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the artist’s death.

And this is just a small sample of everything that is set up on these dates to enjoy them intensely and create good memories. Merry 2023 to everyone!

Christmas Market of Santiago de Compostela

The Christmas Market of Santiago de Compostela opened on Carreira do Conde street this past December 2nd and will be available until January 6th. It is worth consulting its website to check the hours at which they carry out activities, intended for children, among which are workshops to make cork objects, refrigerator magnets, or Christmas cards, popular games and classes taught by the market’s own exhibitors. Among them there are artisans that work wood or leather, or make toys, jewelry or decoration pieces.

Besides this, artists and artisans join each year at the Mercado da Estrela (“Star’s Market”), which is held halfway between the Museo do Pobo Galego and Plaza 8 de Marzo, in Compostela. Its sixth edition begins today, Friday, and lasts until Sunday the 17th, bringing together creators of handmade design products and also gourmet food producers, artists and painters, new musicians who offer intimate concerts… An ideal occasion to buy a creative, original and unique present for this Christmas.

Christmas Village in A Coruña

In A Coruña the center of Christmas activity is the María Pita square, occupied these days by a beautiful town made of snow-covered houses and colourful lights. In this area activities for children, theatre, magicians’ performances, concerts or workshops take place. In the Christmas Village, attractions for children have been installed, such as a carousel, a train, inflatables, a Ferris wheel, a snowboard simulator and various games.

Market in the Rúa do Príncipe in Vigo

The Rúa do Príncipe, in the centre of Vigo, has been the stage of a Christmas market for years, organized by the merchants of the area. Located on this occasion on London Street, behind the MARCO museum, it has an interesting representation of organic food producers, as well as food and craft stalls. It will be open until January 5th. It is also convenient to keep up with the local press, since in the city several Christmas-related  markets and activities are carried out in neighbourhoods such as Bouzas or Coia and in some shopping centres.

Nadalear in Pontevedra

Pontevedra holds from the 16th of December until the eve of the Wise Men day (January 5th) a Christmas market located in the Teucro square, in the historic center. The city has an intensive  program for these dates with concerts, theatre, charity galas and a festival of Christmas carols that are sung, as they were in the old times, in the taverns of the monumental area.

Market in San Marcos Square in Lugo

Lugo will also have a crafts market this Christmas. It will be assembled in the centric San Marcos Square and will be open from December 21st to January 5th. The visit to this exhibition can be complemented with the numerous activities programmed for children and adults, including artistic walks along the Original Way to Santiago, music, puppets and exhibitions in the old city jail or in the spectacular Interactive Museum of History of Lugo.