Christmas on Costa Blanca — Gran Alacant in December
13–18°C sun • Guinness record scene • Three Kings parade • Stays from 11 nights
TL;DR — The Quick Answer
The Costa Blanca is one of Europe's mildest Christmas destinations: December temperatures of 13–18°C, around 7 hours of sunshine, minimal rainfall. Alicante illuminates 2.6 million LED lights across 130 locations, and on the main square stands a nativity scene with a Guinness World Record — St Joseph's figure measures 18.05 m. Gran Alacant, 20 km from Alicante city centre (Santa Pola municipality), is an ideal base: peaceful neighbourhood, Carabassi beach 5 minutes by car, communal pool. Santa Pola runs its own Christmas programme from 8 December to 6 January. And on the evening of 5 January — Three Kings parade in Alicante: camels through the city centre. Brisa Alacant apartment available for stays from 11 nights.
Why Choose the Costa Blanca for Christmas?
While much of Northern Europe shivers in December, the Costa Blanca enjoys some of the continent's mildest winter conditions. According to Climate-Data.org, daytime temperatures in Alicante average 14–16°C in December, with sunny-day peaks reaching 18–20°C. The sun shines for an average 6–7 hours per day — and the region records over 300 sunny days per year.
Infrastructure stays fully open year-round: supermarkets, medical centres, restaurants — all running through December. Alicante-Elche Airport has year-round direct connections from London, Amsterdam, Dublin, Warsaw, Kraków and other European cities (Ryanair, Wizz Air, easyJet).
For families, the added bonus is experiencing two festive traditions in one trip: Christmas (24–25 December) and the spectacular Spanish Epiphany (6 January). A stay from around 27 December to 7 January (12 nights) covers both.
Belen Monumental — Guinness World Record in Alicante
On Plaza del Ayuntamiento in central Alicante, a nativity scene is erected each year that has earned two Guinness World Records. According to Alicante Turismo's official page:
- 🏆 World's tallest nativity scene — St Joseph figure: 18.05 m
- 🏆 World's largest nativity scene area
- 🔆 2.6 million LED lights — illuminating 130 locations across Alicante (champagne tone)
- 📅 Display runs from approx. 23 November to 7 January
- 👁️ 6 monumental figures: St Joseph, Mary, Jesus, Caspar, Melchior, Balthazar
City lights switch on at 17:00 (until midnight; Fridays and Saturdays until 01:00). Additional events include Casa de San Nicolás for children, Christmas workshops and over 70 cultural events throughout December.
Santa Pola Christmas Programme
Gran Alacant is in Santa Pola municipality, which runs its own Christmas programme from 8 December to 6 January. According to ayuntamiento Santa Pola:
Spanish Christmas Traditions Explained
| Aspect | UK / Northern Europe | Spain (Costa Blanca) |
|---|---|---|
| Main gift day | 25 December | 6 January (Three Kings) |
| Main event | Christmas Day lunch | Nochebuena (24 Dec) + Cabalgata (5 Jan) |
| Temperature | 0–5°C, grey | 13–18°C, 6–7h sunshine |
| Traditional sweets | Christmas pudding, mince pies | Turrón (from Jijona!), Roscón de Reyes |
| Día festivo (official off) | 25–26 Dec, 1 Jan | 25 Dec, 1 Jan, 6 Jan (official) |
Brisa Alacant Apartment — Your Christmas Base
Amenities
- ✅ Air conditioning + heating
- ✅ Communal pool (check availability in Dec)
- ✅ Fully equipped kitchen (cook your own Christmas dinner!)
- ✅ Fast Wi-Fi
- ✅ Terrace — possible outdoor lunch at 16°C
Location
- ✈️ Alicante-Elche Airport — ~15 min
- 🏙️ Alicante centre (lights!) — ~20 min
- 🏖️ Carabassi beach — 5 min by car
- 🦩 Santa Pola Salt Lakes (flamingos!) — nearby
- 🚗 Free street parking nearby
Minimum stay: 11 nights. Long-term rental only (not short-term tourist accommodation). Ideal Christmas window: around 27 Dec–7 Jan (12 nights) = New Year's Eve + Three Kings.
Frequently Asked Questions — Christmas Gran Alacant
What is the weather like on the Costa Blanca in December?
In December the Costa Blanca enjoys daytime temperatures of 13–18°C (up to 20°C on sunny days). Nights are cooler at 8–10°C. The sun shines for an average of 6–7 hours per day. Rainfall is minimal — around 24mm for the whole month. The region logs over 300 sunny days per year.
What is happening in Alicante at Christmas?
Alicante has over 60 Christmas events from late November to 5 January. The main attraction is the Monumental Nativity Scene (Belen Monumental) on Plaza del Ayuntamiento — holder of two Guinness World Records, including the world's tallest nativity scene (St Joseph figure: 18.05 m). City lights: 2.6 million LED lights across 130 locations. The official programme is called "Alicante, experience a Giant Christmas" (alicanteturismo.com).
What are Reyes Magos (Three Kings)?
In Spain, the main gift-giving day is 6 January (Epiphany / Reyes Magos), not 25 December. On the evening of 5 January, the spectacular Cabalgata de los Reyes Magos parade passes through Alicante — camels, decorated floats, sweets thrown to the crowd — starting at 19:00 from Avenida de la Estación. A stay from around 27 December to 7 January (12 nights) covers both the European Christmas and the Spanish Three Kings tradition.
What is the minimum stay at Brisa Alacant at Christmas?
The minimum stay is 11 nights year-round. The apartment is available as a long-term rental only (not short-term tourist accommodation). The ideal Christmas window: around 27 December–7 January (12 nights) covers New Year's Eve and Three Kings.
Plan Your Christmas Stay in Gran Alacant
Minimum stay 11 nights. Check availability for December and January.
Check availability