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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.

🌴 What’s On This Week – Costa Blanca

(Benidorm & surrounding areas)

Overview

This week across Benidorm, Altea, Albir, Finestrat, and La Nucía is mainly:

Weekly markets and street trading

Live music in bars and small venues

Early spring coastal tourism activity (boat trips, promenades)

Small cultural events and exhibitions

Gradual build-up toward May festivals in Benidorm

BENIDORM – Events and Activity

Markets and street life

Wednesday and Sunday main street markets (large general markets for clothing, food, and goods)
Old Town craft stalls operating in the evenings
Night markets becoming more active as tourist season builds

Cultural activity

Early preparations and signage for the Medieval Market coming soon in central Benidorm
Small pop-up performances in Old Town squares (musicians, street entertainment)

Nightlife and entertainment

Live music every night across the main strips (cover bands, tribute acts, karaoke)
DJ sets and bar entertainment increasing toward peak season
Rooftop bars and terrace venues reopening more consistently

Overall feel

Benidorm is in an active pre-summer phase with strong nightlife and steady tourist flow.

ALTEA – Cultural and coastal atmosphere

Old Town and culture
Art galleries and artisan shops open daily
Small exhibitions and cultural displays in local venues

Live music

Acoustic and low-key live music in bars around Old Town and seafront areas
Occasional weekend performances in Irish and cocktail bars

Sea activities

Boat trips operating from Altea harbour including:
Coastal cruises
Sunset sailing trips
Swimming stops depending on weather conditions

Overall feel

Quiet, scenic, and cultural with a strong focus on relaxation rather than nightlife.

ALBIR / ALFÀS DEL PI – Mixed expat and local activity

Markets

Friday weekly street market with food, clothing, and household goods
Nearby Sunday markets in Altea also attract visitors from the area

Live music

Regular pub and bar entertainment, especially in Irish and rock-themed venues
Weekly live bands and acoustic performances across multiple venues

Cultural venues

Casa de Cultura hosting small theatre events, exhibitions, and community activities
Regular local group meetings and social clubs

Overall feel

Balanced area with both relaxed daytime atmosphere and active evenings.

LA NUCÍA – Local and sporting focus

Markets

Sunday rastro (large flea market with antiques, tools, clothes, and food stalls)
Entertainment
Occasional live music in local bars, mostly weekends

Sports activity

Large sports complex hosting training camps, tournaments, and weekend events

Overall feel

Quiet residential town with activity concentrated around weekends and sports events.

FINESTRAT – Beach and market lifestyle

Markets

Tuesday and Saturday markets in La Cala area with a mix of local produce and goods

Beachfront activity

Beach bars and restaurants increasingly open in the evenings
Sunset dining season beginning again

Entertainment

Low-key live music in beachfront bars rather than organised events

Overall feel

Relaxed coastal town focused on beach life and casual evenings.

OVERALL SUMMARY

Benidorm: busiest area with nightlife, markets, and entertainment

Altea: cultural, scenic, and relaxed

Albir / Alfàs del Pi: balanced mix of live music and expat social life

La Nucía: local, quiet, and sports-focused

Finestrat: beach-oriented and low-key

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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

🌴 What’s On This Week – Costa Blanca

(Benidorm & surrounding areas)

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