Calle Larios, Malaga’s main shopping street, turns into a light and music show three times every evening from late November to early January, and it costs nothing to watch. The runs are at 6:30 pm, 8:30 pm and 10 pm. Spaniards eat dinner late, at 9 or 10 pm, so the early show fits neatly between an afternoon in the old town and dinner.
What time is the Calle Larios Christmas light show in Malaga? Three times an evening, at 6:30 pm, 8:30 pm and 10 pm, from the switch-on on the last Friday of November until 4 January. On 24 and 31 December and 5 January the lights are on but there is no music, and the whole street is free to walk.
When the lights are switched on
The switch-on ceremony is on the last Friday of November at the entrance to Calle Larios, by Plaza de la Marina: 28 November in 2025, and in 2026 that Friday falls on 27 November. It starts at 6:30 pm, with a DJ warming up the crowd from about 5:30 pm and a Christmas concert after the button is pressed. It is the busiest night of the season, so if you only want to see the show, any weekday evening in December is easier.
What the light and music show is like
Only Calle Larios has the choreographed show, with the lights moving in time to Christmas music and pop songs. Last season’s design, Natividad de luz, was built from huge illuminated medallions showing the Nativity, 16 stars, 32 side columns and 32 light trails. The three daily runs are the same show, so one is enough.
Plan around the three nights without music: 24 December, 31 December and 5 January, the night of the Three Kings parade. The lights are on, but if you came for the show, pick another evening.
How late the lights stay on
Away from Larios, the old town carries some 2.7 million LED points, with 207 arches and 36 light figures on the pavements, and around 500 streets in the districts have their own decorations. Everything comes on at 6:30 pm and goes off at midnight Sunday to Wednesday, at 2 am Thursday to Saturday and on the eve of public holidays, and at 6 am the next morning on 24 and 31 December.
Where to stand
For the show, stand inside Calle Larios before the run starts, because the centre of the street fills first. For a calmer look at the lights, walk the side streets, such as Calle Strachan and Calle Nueva, which carry matching decorations, and Plaza de la Constitución at the top end. The Cathedral and City Hall façades also get Christmas projections in the evenings.
Fitting the lights into a day in Malaga
The lights work best as the hinge of an evening. Spend the afternoon in a museum or on the old town walking route, catch the 6:30 pm show, then eat at 9 pm like the locals; the nightlife areas guide covers where to go after. For a view over the lit-up centre first, try the rooftop bars. If you are driving in, read up on the low emission zone and parking in the centre before you set off.
What might not suit you
Calle Larios during a show is a packed street of people standing still and looking up. With a pushchair or small children, the 6:30 pm run on a weekday is the easiest. The switch-on night is the most crowded of all.
For the rest of the season, from nativity scenes to what closes on which day, see Christmas in Malaga and the Christmas closures guide. The 5 January parade has its own guide: the Three Kings parade.
Frequently asked questions about the Malaga Christmas lights
What time is the Christmas light show on Calle Larios?
Three times every evening, at 6:30 pm, 8:30 pm and 10 pm, from the switch-on night in late November until 4 January. On 24 and 31 December and on 5 January the lights are on but the music show does not run.
When are the Christmas lights switched on in Malaga in 2026?
The switch-on is on the last Friday of November at 6:30 pm at the entrance to Calle Larios. In 2025 it was Friday 28 November; in 2026 that Friday is 27 November. The city presents the full programme in early November.
How late are Malaga’s Christmas lights on?
From 6:30 pm to midnight Sunday to Wednesday, and until 2 am Thursday to Saturday and on the eve of public holidays. On 24 and 31 December they stay on until 6 am.
Do you have to pay to see the Malaga Christmas lights?
No. The switch-on, the three daily shows on Calle Larios and the projections on the Cathedral and City Hall are all in the street and free.
Show at 6:30 pm, dinner at 9: that is a Malaga Christmas evening.