The Arrival of Saint Nicholas, the Nativity Scene in Plaza Mayor and the Lighting of Teniente Seguí Street Mark the Start of Christmas in l'Alfàs del Pi

Alfaz Del Pi / 4 December 2025

Christmas celebrations in l'Alfàs del Pi officially begin tomorrow, Friday 5 December, with an afternoon full of festive traditions that reflect the town’s rich cultural diversity.

Events will start at 5:15 p.m. with the arrival of Saint Nicholas outside the Casa de Cultura, where he will greet children and adults alike. This will be followed by the inauguration of the nativity scene in the Plaza Mayor at 6:30 p.m., accompanied by a performance of Christmas carols by the L'Alfàs Canta Polyphonic Choir. The evening will conclude with the switch-on of the Christmas lights on Teniente Seguí Street at 7:00 p.m., a ceremony especially cherished by the town’s long-established Norwegian community.

More than half of the population of l'Alfàs del Pi is of foreign origin, representing nearly one hundred nationalities. This multicultural environment enriches local life year-round, and during festive occasions traditions from different countries blend naturally—one of the most beloved being the annual visit of Saint Nicholas (Sinterklaas). As is customary, Saint Nicholas will stop in l'Alfàs just hours before departing from the Port of Alicante to begin his journey back to the Netherlands.

For decades, Saint Nicholas has visited the town following Dutch tradition, distributing sweets and oranges to children in an afternoon organised by the Lions Club of l'Alfàs, in collaboration with the Town Hall. The event has become one of the earliest and most eagerly awaited Christmas celebrations for local families. While the Three Kings make their way from the East to arrive on the night of 5 January, Saint Nicholas leaves Spain to return north—making his farewell procession through the streets of l'Alfàs before departing.

At 6:30 p.m., the municipal nativity scene will be officially unveiled in the Plaza Mayor. This year’s nativity scene has been designed by Paqui Pérez San José, winner of last year’s nativity competition organised by the Department of Culture. Culture Councillor Manuel Casado invites residents and visitors to attend the inauguration and enjoy the performance by the L'Alfàs Canta Polyphonic Choir.

From Plaza Mayor, celebrations continue to Teniente Seguí Street, where the traditional Christmas light switch-on will take place at 7:00 p.m. This street has long been a symbolic gathering point for the Norwegian community, marking the beginning of Advent. Attendees will be able to savour traditional Norwegian Christmas treats, including ginger pastries and glögg, a spiced mulled wine scented with cinnamon, cloves, lemon peel and star anise.

The ceremony reflects a Nordic custom of lighting fir trees and Christmas decorations during the first weekend of Advent—a period in which companies, groups of friends and associations often celebrate the julebord, a festive pre-Christmas meal featuring seasonal specialities.

The Town Hall of l'Alfàs del Pi invites the whole community to join in welcoming the Christmas season and to enjoy an evening filled with tradition, music and festive spirit.