Christmas Comes Early as Alicante Starts Installing Festive Lights in September
Christmas appears to be arriving earlier than ever in Alicante, with the first festive lights being installed before summer has officially ended and while daytime temperatures remain above 30°C. Workers have begun placing strings of lights around palm trees near Plaza de los Luceros, while the first illuminated arches are already appearing across the city’s […] The post Christmas Comes Early as…
Christmas is arriving earlier than ever in Alicante as the city begins installing festive lights before the official end of summer and while daytime temperatures are still above 30°C. Workers have started placing strings of lights around palm trees near Plaza de los Luceros, with the first illuminated arches already appearing in the city's northern districts.
The decorations are set to be switched on shortly before Black Friday, which is on November 27 this year. This early installation is part of a second year of Alicante City Council's most expensive festive-lighting contract to date, worth €2.1 million and running until 2028. The contract covers design, installation, maintenance, expansion, and eventual removal of decorations for Christmas and other celebrations.
The contractor, Ximénez Iluminación, has previously delivered major lighting displays in cities such as Madrid, New York, Moscow, and Vigo, which is known for its elaborate Christmas attractions. Alicante significantly increased its investment in festive lighting following issues with the 2019 display, with annual spending rising from approximately €300,000 in 2020 to €500,000 in 2022.
The latest agreement allows for spending up to €700,000 annually. The council aims to boost Alicante's reputation as a Christmas destination, building on attractions like its giant Nativity scene and illuminated angels. Under the new contract, festive lighting will illuminate more than 120 public areas, compared to 77 under the previous agreement.
New decorations will be installed in nearly 40 locations, including the Marvá, Soto, and Gadea avenue corridor, Avenida de Jijona and Avenida de Novelda, Calle Castaños, Plaza del Ayuntamiento, the Teatro Principal, the Central Market, Plaza 25 de Mayo, Carolinas Market, Benalúa and Babel markets, Avenida Padre Esplá, and more. The increased investment in festive lighting is expected to enhance Alicante's appeal as a Christmas destination.
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