Choral concerts and music and activities for children in San Javier, Santiago de la Ribera and Roda

The monumental Belén (or nativity scene) in the Plaza de Españv alongside the Town Hall, which will be set up this year for the 58th 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  a Christmas market throughout the festive season and another nativity scene (the Belén Marinero), and various events are being held.

The program for the 2026-26 festive season in San Javier includes the following events:

Friday December 12

20.15: Sonrisas Harmony choir perform a Christmas concert at the church of San Francisco Javier.

Saturday December 13

11.00: The regular “En tu parque o el mío” event takes place in the Parque Príncipe de Asturias in Santiago de la Ribera.

12.00: Children’s workshop at the Centro Cultural of Roda, “Los Duendes Reales”.

20.15: The Stella Maris Björk choir perform a Christmas concert at the church of San Francisco Javier.

Thursday December 18

18.00: Father Christmas arrives at the Christmas market in Santiago de la Ribera, where he performs the official opening of the event and presents the “Belén Marinero” nativity scene.

Friday December 19

16.00: Dïa de Copito de Nieve, a children’s activity at the Christmas market in Santiago de la Ribera.

20.00: The grand opening of the magnificent Belén de España, one of the largest nativity scenes in Spain, in the Plaza de España, while the whole square becomes a festive area with the switching on of the lights and music from Coco Carmona & The Jazz Missioners.

Saturday December 20

11.00: A demonstration of artisan products by Barbería E. Gallego at the Christmas market in Santiago de la Ribera.

12.00: El Hechizo del Turrón, children’s theatre at the Christmas market in Santiago de la Ribera.

16.30: Mi Cuadrito Navideño, a children’s workshop at the Christmas market in Santiago de la Ribera.

20.30: The official opening speech of the Christmas programme is given by members of the Banda Sinfónica de San Javier in the Teatro de Invierno in Parque Almansa. No doubt music will also feature strongly!

Sunday December 21

11.30: Magician Abel Magia at the Christmas market.

18.00: Children’s Mass and the presentation of the “Belén Campesino” nativity scene at the Centro Cultural in La Grajuela.

16.30: Students at the Yaiza dance academy perform at the Christmas market in Santiago de la Ribera.

20.15: A Christmas concert by the Patnia Cahmber Choir at the church of San Francisco Javier.

Tuesday December 23

18.30: The flamenco school of Jesús Quiles present an evening of “zambomba” music in the Plaza de España. (The zambomba is a percussion instrument, very simple to play, which is traditionally used in parts of Spain, including Murcia, by people singing Christmas songs. Indeed, in some parts the word has actually come to refer to this kind of song as well as to the instrument itself!)

20.30: The presentation of the Belén de la Marquesa nativity scene in the Town Hall.

Wednesday December 24

12.00: Los Tres Copos de Nieve, children’s theatre at the Christmas market in Santiago de la Ribera.

Thursday December 25

18.30: Curro Piñana gives a Christmas Day concert in the Plaza de España.

Friday December 26

18.00: Singing, dancing and face-painting for kiddies at the Christmas market in Santiago de la Ribera.

Saturday December 27

11.30: The municipal dance workshop puts on a show at the Christmas market in Santiago de la Ribera.

12.00: Children’s workshop in Parque Lo Llerena in San Cayetano, “Los Duendes Reales”.

16.30: El Bosque Encantado, a children’s show at the Christmas market in Santiago de la Ribera.

Sunday December 28

11.30: Rock music for youngsters at the Christmas market in Santiago de la Ribera.

16.30: Children’s Christmas prints workshop at the Christmas market in Santiago de la Ribera.

Monday December 29

12.00: Children’s workshop at the Centro Cultural in El Mirador, “Los Duendes Reales”.

Tuesday December 30

12.00: Los Colores de la Navidad, a children’s musical in the Plaza de España.

19.00: The Nutcracker, a performance by the municipal dance workshop at the Teatro de Invierno in Parque Almansa. Admission free of charge.

Wednesday December 31

11.30: An early New Year party for youngsters at the Christmas market in Santiago de la Ribera.

Friday January 2

16.00 to 21.00: Three Kings arts and crafts market in Parque Almansa.

12.00: Los Tres Copos de Nieve, children’s activities in the Plaza de España.

18.30: Lady Blu & the Up/Down Quintet in concert in the Plaza de España.

Saturday January 3

11.00 to 21.00: Three Kings arts and crafts market in Parque Almansa.

18.30: Gota / Txema Muñoz, magician and clown entertainment in the Plaza de España.

Sunday January 4

11.00 to 21.00: Three Kings arts and crafts market in Parque Almansa.

19.00: Alicia en el Barco de las Maravillas, a Trencadis Producciones performance in the Teatro de Invierno in Parque Almansa. Tickets are available at 10 euros from Librería Gala and online here.

Monday January 5

11.00: Breakfast and children’s entertainment at the Pabellón Deportivo in El mirador.

17.30: Free Roscón de Reyes cake for all at the Pabellón Deportivo in La Grajuela.

17.30: Free Roscón de Reyes cake for all at the Centro Cultural in Pozo Aledo.

18.00: The Three Kings, Baltasar, Melchior and Gaspar, arrive by boat at the Explanada Barnuevo in Santiago de la Ribera.

20.00: A great light show with fireworks and performances in the Plaza de España to celebrate the arrival of Their Royal Highnesses the Three Kings!

Tuesday January 6

11.00: Free Roscón de Reyes cake for all at the pine grove of Roda.

 

For more local events, news and visiting information contact the tourist offices of San Javier (main contact number 661 572285) or go to the home page of San Javier Today.

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