Things to do in Marbella in December 2026: weather and plans
Things to do in Marbella in December 2026: mild weather (~17°C), Christmas lights, the Constitution holiday and Puerto Banús plans. A practical guide.
Looking for things to do in Marbella in December? You hit one of the year's nicest stretches: Christmas atmosphere without biting cold, fewer crowds than in summer, and a calendar that mixes lights, markets, seafront walks and Spain's early-December Constitution holiday. This guide covers the weather, the fixed dates and the plans that are already confirmed (or the usual pattern when the Town Hall has not yet published the programme).
Marbella in December: mild weather and short days
Marbella weather in December is classic mild Mediterranean winter. According to AEMET climate normals for Málaga Airport (1981–2010), average daily highs sit around 17.5°C and lows around 8.9°C, with roughly 100 mm of rain and about 160 hours of sunshine in the month. These are regional references, not a 2026 forecast: a storm or a levante wind can reshape the day.
In practice: a light sweater in the morning, sun at midday and a proper jacket for the evening. The sea is usually cool (around 16–17°C), so the beach is better for a walk than a swim. Perfect for the Marbella to Puerto Banús seafront walk without August heat.
Christmas in Marbella: lights, markets and nativity scenes
Christmas defines the month. Marbella Town Hall usually switches on the lights in late November and sets up the main market on Avenida del Mar by Alameda Park. In 2025 the market ran from 28 November to 5 January; exact 2026 dates had not been published when we wrote this guide, so check the municipal agenda in late November.
For a full rundown of lights, markets and tips (including Puerto Banús), see our guide to Christmas in Marbella 2026.
If you want a Christmas market that is already confirmed nearby, the Fuengirola Christmas Market runs from 26 November to 20 December 2026 in Plaza de la Constitución, with 17 wooden cabins and opening hours 10:30–14:30 and 17:00–21:00 (Fuengirola Town Hall).
Constitution holiday bridge (6–8 December)
In 2026 6 December (Constitution Day) falls on a Sunday and 8 December (Immaculate Conception) on a Tuesday, so many Spaniards turn it into a long weekend on the Costa del Sol. Marbella gets a little busier those days, but it remains manageable. A good window for the Old Town, shopping in Puerto Banús and a pizza overlooking the marina… once Picasso is open again (see note below).
- 6 December: national holiday (Sunday in 2026).
- 8 December: Immaculate Conception (Tuesday).
- 25 December: Christmas Day (Friday).
- 31 December: New Year's Eve (Thursday).
- 5–6 January: Three Kings parade (usually on the 5th) and Epiphany (public holiday on the 6th).
Outdoor plans (and what to do if it rains)
On clear days: stroll the Alameda and Avenida del Mar, wander the Old Town and Plaza de los Naranjos, catch an almost empty beach at sunset, then loop the Puerto Banús quay. If a shower hits (December concentrates a fair share of the year's rain), switch to plan B: museums, harbour shopping, a café with a view, or the Congress Centre if a show is on.
For a full day in the port, see things to do in Puerto Banús in a day.
New Year's Eve and the turn of the year
New Year's Eve in Marbella usually centres on the Old Town (Plaza de los Naranjos and nearby streets) and the coast's hotel offer. The specific municipal event for 2026 is announced late: do not treat times or venues as fixed until the official programme is out. 1 January is a public holiday; on 5 January the Three Kings parades roll through the different districts.
