10 Things to Do in Benidorm in December

Benidorm is in itself a privileged city, its beaches, the sea and the many options it offers for all types of visitors, such as couples, families with children, groups of friends or even if you are traveling alone, make it an exceptional tourist destination. I invite you to discover everything that this incredible Spanish city has to offer if you visit it in December.

The last month of the year finds Benidorm with a perfect climate for enjoyment. In addition, the Christmas spirit envelops the city in a magical atmosphere, while the numerous events and celebrations of the end of the year are being prepared. The offer of leisure, shows and art is much richer at this time. Here, I tell you all the details so you know why it is worth being in this beautiful city in December, and what are the main events that you can not miss if you are here for those dates.

The city of Benidorm has a wide range of theme parks with games and nature to enjoy with the family. One of them, and arguably a must visit if you are in town, is Terra Natura. This site is a zoo and theme park that has an area of almost 320 thousand square meters in total. It houses about 1500 different species of animals in a state of semi-freedom.

This is, without a doubt, one of the 10 best things to do in Benidorm. The park is open all year round, but December, being one of the least hot months, is ideal to visit it and enjoy nature in all its splendor. The temperature in December is also ideal if you have to wait in line to get your tickets. However, it is always preferable to buy your tickets online.

Benidorm dresses up to welcome Christmas, its streets have a unique climate that characterizes this special time of the year. The Town Hall organizes a decoration and window dressing contest, in which the big hotels, stores and local restaurants put their best and take great care in displaying the most original decorations for the occasion.

If you visit Benidorm in December you will have the fortune to witness this event and be dazzled by a first class Christmas scenery, walking through the streets of the city. You can tour the center of Benidorm in many ways, on foot, by hop on-hop off tourist bus or even on a guided bike tour, which is, without a doubt, a great plan. Not only will you get to know the best of the city, but you will go at a relaxed pace to appreciate in detail the Christmas decorations, covering a much wider route than if you did it on foot.

The decorations include many lights and elements that create a play of light, so this tour is positioned among the best things to do at night in Benidorm in the last month of the year.

Located minutes away from Benidorm is Villajoyosa, the neighboring town that stands out for its emblematic chocolate factory. Visiting this place is a pleasure to be enjoyed with all the senses, since, in its facilities, the whole atmosphere is impregnated with the aroma of cocoa, sugar and the most delicious essences.

You will feel like Charlie himself , in the chocolate factory, and you can see the whole process of production of these sweet delicacies, while you learn all about this industry, both in the factory and in its chocolate museum. Of course you can buy and taste all kinds of chocolates, and although this visit can be done all year round, hot chocolate is a classic of December and in this tour you will have the opportunity to enjoy it in a very special way.

This activity is usually done in guided tours, and of course it is suitable for the whole family, so it is certainly one of the best things to do in Benidorm with children. Your little ones won't want to leave.

An unmissable classic of the month of December, is the city's Christmas market. In the emblematic Parque de Elche an infinite number of stalls, called paraetes by the locals, make up the Benidorm Christmas market. In this place you can buy all kinds of gifts and souvenirs choosing from a wide variety of handmade products, ranging from Christmas ornaments, jewelry, decorations and toys, to figures to build your nativity scene.

In addition to handicrafts, in the Benidorm Christmas market, you will find stalls with the best of local cuisine and typical delicacies of the date, such as Alicante nougat and honey from the neighboring Sierra de Guadalest.

The Benidorm Christmas market usually opens its doors throughout the month of December, from 10 am until 8 pm. There you can also enjoy a lot of games and some festive shows.

The epicenter of Christmas in the city of Benidorm is undoubtedly the Plaza SSMM los Reyes de España. During the month of December, this place becomes the Plaza de la Navidad, and it forms a magical atmosphere ideal for sharing and enjoying with the family.

One of the stars of the Plaza de la Navidad is its ice skating rink, where you can have fun doing a classic activity of the season, in a movie environment. In the Christmas Square there are also numerous shows and performances for the whole family, inflatable games for the little ones and even giant figures of the Three Wise Men.

The Christmas Square starts the first days of December, and if you are in the city of Benidorm for those dates you can participate in its inauguration, which includes musical performances and fun shows for the whole family to enjoy.

The Julio Iglesias Auditorium in Benidorm, located in the Aigüera Park, is an emblem of the city. During the month of December, it is the stage for a huge variety of artistic music and dance shows, suitable for all audiences and absolutely free.

Among the musical shows, the Symphonic Band of the Benidorm Musical Union, dance groups and exclusive shows for children, based on the best animated children's films, are presented. The shows are of all kinds, with both festive and classic themes.

To attend, you just have to check the program of the different shows and schedule your favorites, as the dates vary each year. This way you can simply let yourself be carried away by the rhythm and dance to the best live music.

One of the things that children are most excited about at this time of the year is meeting the Three Wise Men, and if you are in Benidorm in December with the little ones, they can do it. During the last days of December and the first days of January, the Three Wise Men camp takes place in the Park of l'Aigüera.

In this event the youngest of the family will have the opportunity to deliver their letters to the Kings, and even talk to them to tell them how they have behaved during the year and what gift they expect for the night of January 6.

The activity, although mainly for young children, is very interesting for all ages, since the setting of the camp is very picturesque and will make you feel in the Far East, without leaving Benidorm.

Although it may seem that Christmas and sport have nothing in common, they can be combined perfectly, and that's what they do every December in the city of Benidorm. The Christmas race San Silvestre Benidorm, is a sporting event where many of the participants run in costumes of elves, reindeer, Santa Claus and many other characters related to the holiday.

You can participate either simply as a spectator, or sign up as a runner. Thanks to its various categories**, the race can be run by people of all ages and physical conditions, from inexperienced runners looking for a new experience to running enthusiasts**. Of course, you must sign up in advance.

However you choose to participate, you are guaranteed to have a good time of fun and laughter. It is important to note that this event also organizes a solidarity collection of food, which is then donated to the most vulnerable sectors of society.

New Year's Eve is also celebrated in style in the city of Benidorm. In addition to being able to participate in one of the many New Year's Eve galas in its most prestigious hotels, with special seasonal menus and all the luxury, you can enjoy the outdoors on Levante Beach and the surrounding streets.

This popular beach has become a New Year's Eve classic in the city of Benidorm. Every December, thousands of people gather here to say goodbye to the year with a party. After the 12 chimes, the party goes on until dawn, with dj's and live music, so whether you dine in a hotel or by the sea, you will have the opportunity to continue having fun and partying for hours.

Throughout Spain, the tradition of nativity scenes is a very popular celebration in December, and Benidorm is no exception. In this town, the most surprising nativity scenes, in terms of size and design, are displayed throughout the city. In the Plaza SS. MM. the Kings of Spain, for example, there is an imposing nativity scene.

Another important place where you can enjoy this tradition year after year, is in the lobby of City Hall. Here the nativity scene designed by the Asociación Belenista de la Marina Baixa is exhibited. In Tomás Ortuño street you can contemplate the emblematic nativity scene created by the ACR La Barqueta, which is already a classic of Christmas in Benidorm, as it has been exhibited for years every December.

Another iconic nativity scene is the one on display in Mercurio Street, no. 4, belonging to the Casa de Andalucía, which stands out for its beauty. Besides, you don't have to worry, of course you can also do your own search for a nativity scene, there is an infinity of figures and decorations that you can get during this time to assemble your own when you return home.

And as if all of the above wasn't enough, Benidorm has much more to offer during December. For example the Casa de la Navidad organizes a series of events and celebrations to take advantage of and have fun with the little ones.

This institution that is located in the Casa-Museo de l'Hort de Colón, offers a program where there are magic shows, concerts, workshops of all kinds for the little ones, theater with puppets, storytelling and much more.

This event is a great way to combine fun and culture for children, and if you go during the week of Christmas Eve, you can even meet Santa Claus!

The temperatures during the month of December are one of the reasons to visit the city at this time. Many activities can be better enjoyed if the weather is suitable. Winter in Benidorm is relatively dry and mild, so, with some light coats you will be perfectly fine, as the weather is totally bearable and pleasant.

Temperatures average between 13 and 16 degrees Celsius, and can even reach 18 degrees Celsius. In addition, the chances of rain are very low in December, with an average of 2 or 3 days of rain in total during the whole month. Sunrise in December is usually around 8 am, and the sun sets between 17.30 and 18.00 hours, having the day a total of 9 hours and a half to enjoy.

As you will see, there is a lot to see and do in Benidorm, come and discover it!