Read news from:
Austria
SHARE
COPY LINK

CHRISTMAS

What’s on in Spain: December 2015

Spain is full of holiday magic in December - ice skating rinks, Christmas markets and a "polar bear" swim.

Published: 30 November 2015 23:10 CET
What's on in Spain: December 2015
Valencia city hall. Photo: Alberto Ceballos / Flickr Creative Commons.

Christmas markets

Madrid (November 27th – December 31st) 

Photo: Manuel/Flickr Creative Commons.

Madrid's Plaza Mayor is home to a bustling Christmas market in December with lovely lights, food and crafts that might just be the perfect Spanish-style gifts you've been looking for. And there are also markets at the Plaza de Opera, Plaza de España, and more.

Barcelona (November 27th – December 23rd)

Photo: Santa Llúcia website.

The Catalan capital is also home to Christmas markets, like the Fira de Santa Llúcia, which has been celebrated for more than 200 years. The fest includes parades, an exhibition of Nativity scenes and traditional music.

But there are also other holiday fairs, like the one held outside Antoni Gaudi's famous Sagrada Familia church (Fira de Nadal) or the Fira de Reis, held between December 18th and January 6th.

National

General elections (December 20th)

 Photo: Cesar Manso/AFP.

Even if you can't vote in Spain, this day could get interesting. Will Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy's conservative Popular Party keep its power? How well will the new centrist party Ciudadanos do? And what about Podemos? Soon enough, Spain could see some changes.

Film

Cartagena International Film Festival (November 29th – December 5th)

Established in 1972 in Murcia's Cartagena, this film fest features up-and-coming film makers from Spain with short films, animation and other local productions.

Almería En Corto: International Short Film Festival (December 1st – 6th)

The Andalucian city of Almeria hopes to establish itself as a “worldwide reference” for short films with this annual fest. 

Sport

Canary Islands Olympic Sailing Week, Bay of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (December 4th – 8th)

If the cold winter waters are calling your name, check out this week of regattas in the Canary Islands for some exciting races in the Atlantic.

Buff Epic Run, Barcelona (December 19th)

Exercise with a bit of a twist – this annual event is part marathon, part obstacle course and part costume party. Tumble through mud, over tires and into pools of foam in this fitness fest.

Polar Bear Swim, Gibraltar (December 26th)

Join dozens of others for this chilly tradition of diving into the sea on Boxing Day. At least there is the promise of mince pies and hot brandy after the freezing dip is over.

Member comments

Log in here to leave a comment.
Become a Member to leave a comment.
For members

CULTURE

The best new Spanish TV series to watch

Looking to improve your language skills while getting hooked on the most engrossing Spanish TV shows? Here are the most bingeable made-in-Spain series from 2023 and 2024 to watch on TV or stream.

Published: 7 May 2024 10:33 CEST
The best new Spanish TV series to watch

The Asunta Case

A true-crime-inspired story on Netflix, the Asunta Case was just released at the end of April, but already has some fans. It tells the story of a 12-year-old girl who goes missing and the search to find her. Soon, the trail leads to her adoptive parents, who are accused of being involved with her disappearance and the story takes an even darker turn. 

Berlín

A spin-off of the highly successful Casa de Papel or Money Heist in English. It follows one of the characters, Berlín and is a kind of prequel in that it tells the story of his criminal career before we get to know him in Casa de Papel. It takes place in Paris, where a gang of endearing Spanish criminals, led by Berlín, make a plan to steal €44 million worth of precious jewels. Some fans complained that Casa de Papel dragged on too long and got a bit ridiculous towards the end, but have been very enthusiastic about this one.

Cristóbal Balenciaga

Poligots will enjoy this new series from Disney+, which is originally in Spanish, Basque and French. It tells the story of world-famous Basque fashion designer Cristóbal Balenciaga and how he aims to present his first haute couture collection in Paris. It stars Spanish actor Alberto San Juan as the lead role, but international audiences will more than likely recognise Gemma Whelan who played Yara Greyjoy in the hit series Game of Thrones.

La Mesías

Spanish newspaper El Diario named La Mesías as its top series for 2023, beating a total of 43 it reviewed. It’s showing on Movistar+ and is part thriller and part drama. It tells the tale of Enric who had a traumatic childhood controlled by his overly religious mother and whose life is heavily impacted by a viral video of a Christian pop band made up of five sisters.

Machos Alfa

Translated as Alpha Males in English, this Netflix series first came out at the end of 2022, but the second season recently premiered in February 2024. It’s a comedy, following a group of four friends in their 40s who start to feel lost in this new society of feminists and empowered women and start to question their masculinity and the way they should act with women. 

Las Noches de Tefía

Created by Miguel del Arco, who co-wrote and co-directed the series, Las Noches de Tefía is available on ATRESPlayer PREMIUM. It’s set inside a Francoist concentration camp on the Canary Island of Fuerteventura, a place where vagabonds, protestors of the regime, and homosexuals are sent.

El Inmortal

El Inmortal is available on Movistar+ and first came out in 2022. It was renewed for a second season which was recently released at the end of February 2024. It takes place in the 90s, during the time when gangs controlled Madrid’s nightclub scene and were involved in cocaine trafficking. The story follows Los Miamis a criminal organisation led by José Antonio, better known as El Inmortal, who becomes one of the city’s most successful drug lords. It’s based on the real life Los Miami gang and their leader Juan Carlos Peña.

Déjate Ver 

This Spanish and Catalan series available on Atresplayer was called “the hidden gem of the year” by newspaper El Diario and is a quirky comedy about Ana, an artist’s assistant who who has begun to disappear. After receiving a diagnosis from the doctor she realises that if she doesn’t want to continue disappearing she must completely change her life around.

Nacho

Another from Atresplayer, Nacho reveals the secrets of the Spanish porn industry during the 90s. It’s set in Barcelona and follows title character Nacho, from his religious upbringing to his rise, becoming one of the most recognisable and influential figures in the adult film industry in the country. It’s based on the real life story of Ignacio Jordà González, better known as Nacho Vidal, one of Spain’s most famous pornographic actors and directors.

Los Farad

Set in Marbella during the 80s, Los Farad follows Oskar, a young man with the dream of setting up his own gym. It stars Miguel Herrán, who was also in two of the most popular Spanish series in recent years – Money Heist and Elite. He’s given the opportunity to come into some money by going to live with his girlfriend’s family in the Costa del Sol, but in return has to be part of the family business, which turns out is somewhat akin to the mafia. It’s available on Amazon Prime and first came out in December 2023. 

SHOW COMMENTS