Christmas in Valencia
Are you visiting Valencia during the Christmas period? It won’t be a white Christmas in Valencia City, but you definitely will get into the Christmas vibe. If you have a little bit of luck you can even enjoy the Christmas days at a terrace in the sun during day time.
Christmas time
At Plaza Ayuntamiento (city hall square) there will be a big “Belén Monumental” (nativity scene) and also you can find a Christmas tree. Furthermore there will be a nativity scene in the Mercado Colon and at various other places. The city will be lightened with many Christmas lights and in the city centre “Aqua”, there will be a skating rink. As well, there will be a Christmas market in the historical city centre where you can find delicious products as for example turron, marzipan and polvorones (typical Spanish sweet delicacy during the Christmas days). Also you can find many nativity scenes and Christmas presents. Furthermore you can buy at many street corners delicious roasted chestnuts, roasted corn or almonds. Sometimes it is quite difficult to pass these stands without buying, due to the great smell.
As soon as the program, activities, restaurant offers etc. around Christmas 2012 will be published, you will find an overview with practical and interesting information on this page. If you would like to get an impression of the variety of activities that probably also will take place in 2012, you could have a look at the following overview of 2011.
Circus in Valencia
Gran Circo Wonderland
From Friday the 2nd of December 2011 till Sunday the 15th of January 2012 you can enjoy the circus, “Gran Circo Wonderland” in Valencia.
Location: in front of the Bioparc (Zoo), next to the Carrefour of Campanar in Valencia.
Price: there are different types of seats available in the circus, therefore is there a price range, but you can already get an entrance ticket for this circus from € 10,-. For the specific prices you can have a look at the Prices of Gran Circo Wonderland.
Ticket sales: You can buy tickets at the cash register of the circus, but you can also order tickets online or at “El Corte Ingles”.
Discount: If you buy an adult ticket, you will get 1 entrance ticket for a child for free on the 5th, 7th, and 9th of December. This offer is valid until the seats are sold out.
Accessibility: You can easily reach the circus by underground (number 3 and 5, station: “Nou d’octubre”), with the bus (bus (EMT): 7, 17, 29, 61, 81, 95). Keep in mind that taxis aren’t very expensive in Valencia. If you are planning to go by car, keep in mind that parking is for free. For more information you can have a look at the website of Gran Circo Wonderland (unfortunately in Spanish).
Gran Circo Mundial and Circo de Moscú
The Gran Circo Mundial and the Circo de Moscú have prepared together the performance: “Fantasia Russa”. From Thursday the 1st of December 2011 until Sunday the 8th of January you can see this performance at the Plaza de Toros (bull fighting arena) in Valencia.
The performances will take place every day during this period, except from Monday the 12th of December and Monday the 19th of December.
Price: prices vary from € 13 – € 35.
Location: in the Plaza de Toros (bull fighting arena) in Valencia.
Ticket Sales: You can buy tickets at the cash register of the circus, but you can also order tickets online or at “El Corte Ingles”.
If you already would like to get an impression of the acts, you can have a look at the website of the Gran Circo Mundial.
Circo Gran Fele
From Saturday the 10th of December until Monday the 9th of January you can see the performance “Un Pessic de Sal” of the circus, Circo Gran Fele. This is a performance with a lot of music, acrobats and mysteries included. This performance is based upon the Valencian culture and shows, among others, Valencian music, games, smells, tastes and more.
Price: prices vary from € 12 – € 24. For more information about the prices and seats you can have a look at Circo Gran Fele.
Location: On the opposite of the Palau de les Arts, just between the following two streets: “Avenida Alcalde Gisbert Rico” and “Calle Nino Bravo”.
Ticket Sales: You can buy tickets at the cash register of the circus, but you can also order tickets online or at “El Corte Ingles”.
For more information (unfortunately only in Spanish) you can have a look at the website of Circo Gran Fele.
Opening hours around Christmas time
Musea
- Museo de Bellas Artes will be closed on the 25th of December and on the 1st of January. (keep in mind that in general many museums are closed on Mondays)
- Museo de las Ciencias (Science museum) will have adjusted opening hours on the 24th, 25th and 31st of December and also on the 1st of January. For more information you can have a look at Museo de las Ciencias.
- The Oceanografic has adjusted opening hours on the 24th, 25th and the 31st of December. For more information you can have a look at the Oceanografic.
Shopping centres
- Nuevo Centro Comercial. The Nuevo Centro Comercial (shopping centre) has got various proposals and activities around the Christmas holidays in Valencia. For example: nativity scenes, activities for young and old, a picture with Santa Claus, a Christmas train, performances and much more. The 24th and 31st of December the shopping centre opens from 10.00 – 20.00 hour and on the 5th of January from 10.00 – 24.00 hour. (due to three kings)
Christmas market
There are different Christmas markets in Valencia, among others at Plaza de la Reina from Friday the 2nd of December until Sunday the 8th of January from 10.30 – 14.00 hour and from 16.30 – 21.00 hour. At this Christmas market you can find turron (typical sweet delicacy around Christmas), jewelry, bags and more. Good to know is that this Christmas market also opens at the 25th of December, the 1st of January and at the 5th of January even till 24.00 hour. Furthermore there will be from the 16th of December till Thursday the 5th of January a Christmas demonstration in the Mercado de Colon.
Christmas fair in Valencia
From the 26th of November – the 22nd of January you can visit the Christmas fair (“Feria de atracciones”) in Valencia. Just like last year, you can find the Christmas fair just across the street of the clock building in the harbor (street: Avenida del Ingeniero Manuel Soto).
Opening hours:
- Monday – Thursday from 18.00 – 24.00 hour;
- Friday, Saturday and days preliminary of a holiday from 18.00 – 01.30 hour;
- Sunday and holidays from 11.00 – 14.00 hour and from 18.00 – 01.00 hour.
Christmas evening “24th of December”
During the 24th of December, it is a tradition to celebrate this evening together with the whole family during a family dinner. The family members will enjoy together of various delicacies and afterwards they will drink a glass of cava (Spanish sparkling wine). People say that if you will drink a glass of cava after the dinner at this evening, it will bring you luck. Afterwards families will go together to the service in one of the churches in Valencia. After the dinner and the service, people will go out, have a drink in one of the bars or even go to a discotheque. Please keep in mind that in general the majority of the bars and discotheques open quite late, this normally starts around 01.00 hour.
Spanish traditions during Christmas
During the Christmas period in Valencia, there are many nativity scenes, in other words “Belén’s” to see. In the shop displays, in churches, in schools, but also many people will prepare their own Belén at home. Belén means Bethlehem and everybody makes his own composition of this nativity scene. At different Christmas markets you can buy various attributes, among others: Maria, Joseph, Jezus, the donkey, the Christmas stable etc. Sometimes you can see nativity scenes with only the main characters and the stable, but other nativity scenes are very spectacular. Some nativity scenes you can visit in Valencia are for example:
- Plaza Ayuntamiento “City hall square” (from Friday the 16th of December – Sunday the 8th of January);
- Subway station Colon (from Friday the 2nd of December – Sunday the 8th of January, from Tuesday – Friday from 11.00-13.30 hour & from 17.00-20.30 hour and Saturday and Sunday from 11.30-14.00 hour & 17.00-20.30 hour);
- Galeria Jorge Juan in the “street” calle Cirilo Amoros, 62 (from Monday the 28th of November – Sunday the 8th of January, from Monday – Saturday from 10.00 – 21.00 hour);
- In the Nuevo Centro Comercial (shopping centre) there is an exposition: “Belenes del Mundo” (nativity scenes from all over the world) from Friday the 16th of December – Thursday the 5th of January, from 10.00 – 22.00 hour)
During New Year ’s Eve many Spanish people drink a glass of Cava (Spanish sparkling wine) to toast on the new year. In the supermarkets there are often many different Cava brands which have interesting offers, for example 2 bottles of cava and 2 glasses for a good price. A bottle of cava you can buy in various supermarkets starting with a price of € 1,10.
Just before Christmas, there is the “Lotería de Navidad”. In Spain normally many people buy lottery tickets to participate in the Christmas lottery. In many shops, restaurants and bars they offer the possibility to buy lottery tickets. In the morning of the 22nd of December, the lottery will be broadcasted on television and in many bars and shops, they will have the broadcast on the radio. If you will be in Valencia at the 22nd of December, it could be fun to participate in this lottery. You can buy for example for the price of 20 euro 1/10 part of a lottery ticket in a nice bar. Then you can expect eagerly together for the result of the Christmas lottery. A fun part of the Christmas lottery is that children will sing the numbers, in order to get an impression of this happening, you can have a look at “Lotería de Navidad”.
New Year’s Eve
A typical New Year’s Eve tradition is to eat, on the stroke of twelve o’clock, at every stroke of the clock (12 strokes) a grape, this brings luck. During “Nochevieja” (New Year’s Eve) many bars, discotheques, and restaurants organize dinners and parties. Tours Valencia offers an overview of various possibilities, but keep in mind that many restaurants in Valencia don’t dispose yet of a website. If you have a certain preference for a type of restaurant than you can always inform at the specific restaurant if they offer a Christmas or New Year’s Eve menu.
Restaurants
There are various restaurants which offer a “Noche vieja” menu (New Year’s Eve menu). Tours Valencia offers an overview of different restaurants in Valencia with a New Year’s Eve menu, from a star restaurant till “Bestias”.
• Riff
Riff is a restaurant with 1* and offers a special and extensive New Year’s Eve menu, including a glass of Cava to toast at 24.00 o’clock and 12 grapes (for the luck). For more information you can have a look at Riff menu.
• La Buleria
A very extensive menu, Flamenco performance, drinks during dinner, music from the ’60, ’70, ’80 and ’90, 12 grapes, open bar from 24.00 hour, cava (typical Spanish sparkling wine) and more for a price of € 95,-. For more information you can have a look at La Buleria.
• The Westin
What do you think of a gala as closing party of the year 2011 in the 5* Westin Hotel in Valencia? The price depends on if you choose for the combination dinner + gala or if you only choose to join the gala. The price is € 225 if you choose for the combination gala + dinner and € 75 if you choose for the gala. For more information you can have a look at The Westin Valencia. Are you thinking about staying in the Westin hotel in Valencia and would you like to know more about availability and room prices, you can have a look at Westin Valencia hotel.
• Bestias
Do you like theme evenings, but a bit more crazy, then you might like a New Year’s Eve dinner in Bestias. If you reserve before the 25th of December, the menu price is € 30 per person. The price includes drinks (sangria, beer, and soft drinks), starter (tapas), main course, dessert, turron (typical Spanish pastry), marzipan, 12 grapes and a glass of cava. For more information you can have a look at Bestias.
• Casino Cirso Valencia
In the casino Cirso Valencia you can choose between 2 different menu possibilities and afterwards there is a party in the casino. The price of this party is € 55 and is including entrance ticket, 5 drinks (mix drinks), a chip with a value of € 5 to check if it is your lucky night in the casino. For more information you can have a look at Casino Cirso Valencia.
• Ayre Astoria Palace hotel
The Ayre Astoria Palace hotel offers 2 types of menus, 1 menu (buffet) for guests of the hotel for a price of € 55 per person. For more information about this menu, you can have a look at the menu for hotel guests.
Furthermore there is also a menu for people who don’t stay in the hotel for a price of € 125. Keep in mind that the price is including the open bar between 00.30 – 03.00 hour. Also keep in mind that there is a dress code. For more information you can have a look at menu.
Are you looking for availability of hotelrooms in this very central located hotel in Valencia? Then you can have a look at Ayre Astoria Palace hotel.
Bars/Discotheques/Parties
• Mar de Bamboo (Veles e Vents)
In the harbor of the America’s Cup you can find an impressive modern building: “Veles e Vents”, designed by the architect David Chipperfield. In this impressive building there will take place a New Year’s Eve party. In the entrance price is among others the following included: photographer, animations, welcome drink, snacks at the end of the party, free parking space, 12 grapes, open bar and more.
Price: € 50
For more information you can have a look at Mar de Bamboo.
• Vanity
Chill out, VIP tables, entertainment, performances, thematic hall and more. Furthermore there will be music from the ‘70’s, but also Funky, R&B and Pop music. In the entrance price is, among others, the following included: welcome drink, 5 consumptions (price of extra consumptions is € 5), relax zone. An advantage of the location of Vanity is that it is located very close to hotel Expo in Valencia. Furthermore Vanity offers the possibility to buy a combination ticket with dinner in the Expo hotel or dinner in the L’Anco restaurant.
Price: € 50 (excluding the dinner possibilities)
For more information you can have a look at Vanity.
In case you are interested in more information about the Expo hotel or if you would like to check for room availability and prices you can have a look at the Expo hotel.
• Agora
Also in Agora (part of the Ciudad de las Artes y de las Ciencias) there will be a spectacular New Year’s Eve party organized. There will be different deejays, among others Danny Avila (also dj in the “Blue Marlin” in Ibiza) and various others. Furthermore you will receive a glass of Champaign at the entrance and there will be saxophonists, a spectacular light and sound show will take place and the entrance price includes 6 consumptions. The party starts at 01.30 – 07.00 hour.
Price: € 40
For more information you can have a look at Agora.
• Discotheque treinta y tantos
If you have a look at the website of Treinta y tantos you can click on agenda and then on the date 31st of December, then will the flyer of the New Year’s Eve party show up. The price is 25 euro including a drink. Treinta means thirty, this discotheque is aiming for people of 30 years and older, but of course everybody is welcome. For more information you can have a look at Treinta y tantos.
• Circus 2.0 (Las Animas Puerto)
Performances, dj’s and capacity for around 8000 people. In the price is, among others, the following included: 6 drinks (mix drinks), entrance for the 3 kings party with 1 drink included, a glass of Champaign and 12 grapes.
Price: chicas (girls) € 20, chicos (boys) € 25
For more information you can have a look at Circus 2.0.
• Alameda Palace Valencia
Alameda Palace offers (just like many other bars/discotheques) a large variety of music, among others: house and commercial music. Furthermore there are performances, animations and percussion. The average age of the people is between 15 and 18 year. The price is including 12 grapes, open bar, welcome drink, photos and more.
Price: € 55
For more information you can have a look at Alameda Palace Valencia.
Three Kings Procession
If you would like to make a city trip to Valencia in the beginning of the New Year, then you might want to think about including the Three Kings “Reyes Magos” procession on the 5th of January. This procession is meant for children, but is also nice for adults to see. From the beautiful decorated carriages, children will throw candies and small presents to the children. The “Reyes Magos”, the three kings come from the east and the idea is that children send a letter to the Three Kings in order to inform them about which presents they would like to get.
On the 5th of January, children will put some carrots and water for the camels and milk and some sweet delicacy for the 3 kings under the Christmas tree. On the 6th of January there probably will be some presents for the children under the Christmas tree. If the children haven’t been good during the year, then is might be possible that there is only some “Carbon”, in other words coals. In many candy shops and toy shops, it is possible to buy a small bag of sugar coals in different colors.
Recomendations
- Please keep in mind that, if you are planning to spend Christmas in Valencia, the 25th of December it is possible that many restaurants and bars are closed.
- Are you looking for an apartment in Valencia during the Christmas period and New Year’s Eve? You might want to take a look at the apartment’s page of Tours Valencia.
Calatrava Valencia
The Valencian architect and engineer, Santiago Calatrava, is nowadays already quite famous in different countries all over the world. Calatrava is famous for his futuristic buildings which mainly exist of metal, concrete and glass.
General
Santiago Calatrava was born in 1951 in the city Valencia in the Comunidad Valenciana. Calatrava started on his 9th year with drawing at the school of Bellas Artes. After this he went to Paris (when he was thirteen years old) for an exchange project and in 1968 he conceived his high school diploma. Afterwards Santiago Calatrava started studying architecture at the “Escuela Técnica Superior de Arquitectura de Valencia”. When he finished his study architecture he attended a course urbanism and was during this course pupil of the architect Juan Carlos Jiménez. Subsequently went Calatrava in 1975 to Zurich to study “Ingeniería civil” (structural engineer). In 1979 he gained his doctors degree with the title structural engineer and in the same year he got married.
Calatrava’s first famous and important project/building was the “Stadelhofen” train station nearby the centre of Zurich.
Buildings
In the meantime Santiago Calatrava has designed many buildings and other types of constructions, among others: stations, bridges, opera buildings, but also various other skilful buildings. In different countries all over the world you can find projects of Calatrava, including Spain, Switzerland, France, but also Argentina, the United States, Greece and various other countries. Some of his projects are for example:
• BCE Place in Toronto in the year 1987;
• Gare do Oriente (east station) in Lisbon in the year 1998;
• Auditorium in Tenerife in the year 2003;
• Train station in Liége in the year 2009;
• World Trade centre Station, still working on;
Human body
The human body is often a key element in the design of projects for Santiago Calatrava. In the constructions of Calatrava you can frequently see the relation between the building and the human body. Regularly he uses organic shapes and some parts of constructions are able to move for real.
Ciudad de las Artes y de las Ciencias
The Ciudad de las Artes y de las Ciencias (CAC), (in other words the City of Arts and Sciences) in Valencia are also designed by Santiago Calatrava. This project consists of different elements, namely:
• Palau de les Arts;
• Hemisferic;
• Museo de las Ciencias;
• L’Umbracle;
• Agora;
• Oceanografico ( the restaurants and the entrance which are part of the Oceanografico are desgined by the architect Felix Candela)
For more information about this project, you can have a look at Ciudad de las Artes y de las Ciencias.
Recommendations
• Would you like to know more about Calatrava and his impressive project in Valencia, the Ciudad de las Artes y de las Ciencias (CAC), in other words the City of Arts and Sciences? Tours Valencia offers a tour around the diverse buildings of Calatrava in order to get an impression of the ideas behind this project. For more information about this tour, you can have a look at CAC tour.
• Would you like to visit the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia, in other words “the opera building”, from the inside? Please inform at Tours Valencia for the possibilities.