We've had winter holidays in Spain but have never spent a Christmas there, I wondered what Christmas day would be like in say, La Cala. Will it be deserted or do they have seasonal activities to entertain the kids (big and small)? I would love to walk our dogs on a deserted beach, but would it be deserted?

Your weather looks a bit iffy today, but is set to clear up tomorrow, back here we have had a bit of bad weather, albeit it being reported as something akin to the end of the world. What does the average Christmas day consist of for a UK expat in Spain?

Cheers all, and have a lovely Christmas, however you spend it.

I liked Christmas day in Spain. La cala would probably be buzzing if like Marbella Depending if the weather was fine. Xmas Eve is the main meal for Spaniards. We usually had family staying so Christmas day we would have a walk on the Paseo and it was busy with all chiringuitos etc. open. Drinks and tapas for lunch then back home. We cooked xmas meal in the evening so we could really dress up...worked well. A couple of times we booked a restaurant but most tend to be overpriced and rubbish...a tendency to stuff more people in than they can cope with.

Christmas Day is usually when people gather along a suitable beach to parade up and down in their finest. I don't think we've missed a year, but may tomorrow of the weather forecasts are correct.

We could take umbrellas for the rain but if the winds are strong enough they blow them away. It will be a pity because ours and the dogs outfits are ready and have already been tried on.

Well, no walking on the beach here - we're 2-300 kilometres from the coast, and besides it's a bit cold to paddle...
I've spent a few winters in Spain (normally Madrid) but this is the first time I'm not flying back for the Christmas dinner... We're eating lamb this evening, which appears to be a common choice here for the main meal - but we're skipping the seafood which is also popular here.
Everywhere closes around 3pm (I've been told), but although the 25th is a holiday, many places will open again.
A Spanish perspective on Christmas
http://britesmag.co.uk/article/spain-land-christmas

For those who can read Spanish, a nice selection of different events in the regions during the holiday period.

http://www.abc.es/espana/20131225/ab...2231726_3.html

Will be my first Christmas in La Cala
I´ll be walking my dogs down the beach at Cabo Pino tomorrow morning. Usually quiet with other dog walkers.
That said, Last sunday there were still people sun bathing!!!!

Very mixed Spanish/British customs here.

Our local drinking bar is Spanish run but with a good British following and I'm not sure if they will be closed this evening like the other bars or open like a British one would be. We're just about to nip along to give their daughters some little presents so we'll find out then.

The one non-Spanish establishment in town (the bar/restaurant we used to own - it is now run by a Belgian/Irish couple) will certainly be open in the evening and we will spend some time there this evening before a last one in the Spanish bar which will be open at midnight for sure.

Then tomorrow - traditional turkey roast in our old restaurant at 15.00 - just a select 20 of us.

BTW there was a right racket a couple of nights ago - something called Zambombas? Not sure what they are - it went on till the small hours and we were well in bed when it started.

Then on the 5th there is a strange custom that I believe only takes place here in Jimena and in Algeciras and that is the Arrastre de Latas - Literally 'Can Drag'. Basically hundreds of kids make long strings of beer cans and drag them around the streets. Why? Well it's to wake up the Tres Reyes apparently - although this is Spain and who needs an excuse to make a big noise?

What a lovely little event

And a good reason to drink lots of cans over Xmas!

Which reminds me, I must get my work finished so I can make the Xmas Eve dinner these evening

Merry Xmas everyone

I wanted to go to Benidorm but I never made arrangements for my dog, so I will be just at home but with Tyson , It really does not feel very Xmassy here but you make it what you want I suppose also It does not help that as usual for me I have left everything til the last minute, probably have to go on mad shopping spree at 4/5pm then maybe a meal and pub crawl, Hopefully Ill get some food in for tomorrow.

I'll be walking my two on the banks of the River Derwent, not a lot of comparison with Cabopino, but still very nice. While I think on, when/if you walk past Dona Lola you will see an old circular fire tower, it stands in the grounds of a villa that's on sale for €2,700,000, not much when you say it quick, is it?

If you ever fancy a nice lunch time brunch, try Santa Clara Golf club, turn right off the coast Road at Marbella General Hospital, back track on the side road, turn left at the island and left again, the food is really nice, a bit transatlantic, but still good.

This seems as good a place as any to write this...
I´ll be out of here for a couple of weeks now. After 6 months of working 6 day weeks whilst building my business, Christmas comes as a very welcome break!
This year has been entertaining on here, getting to know some of you ... J2, hell awaits but hopefully not too soon, joking apart, I love your posts, Steviedelux, enjoy your break from your research, your business and your every so calculated brain, Crookesey, enjoy my friend, careful of our brown brothers, Christmas is for love, not fighting which brings me nicely to Rugbymat , enjoy my fellow blog warrior, Agoire (spelling but no ref to correct on this page), keep the faith, and LynnR, you´re gorgeous, very level poster when the rest of us are getting over excited, and EMR...mighty strength in standing, often alone, akin to getting stoned I guess, but for what it´s worth, I respect that of you, and I´m sorry for the others I haven´t mentioned.
What ever your faith or tradition, I sincerely wish you all good times and I hope the new year brings everything you could ever wish for and more.
Look at Crookesey, he´s already drinking and running up the stairs, I just hope he doesn´t fall back down them and be back where he started!
Who ever said 13 was unlucky, bring on 2014 and I look forward to the banter.
From me, goodnight and I´ll see ya´ll next year hohoho

In some pueblos it never feels xmassy, they celebrate more on 3 kings. When we first lived in Spain I liked the fact that "christmas" only appeared the last few days before the event (not fond of xmas and all the hype). Gradually changed though and now almost as bad as the UK. My ideal xmas is on the beach in Antigua I have just left... a can of beans and a rum punch would do However we shall be waited on hand and foot at a relatives with all the trimmings including an indoor pool.....suppose I shall have to go for the inevitable walk at some time

Wow, sounds lovely

I have noticed the lights going up in some places just a couple of nights ago, I like that idea of not starting mid October, I think because its such a sunny place with a lot of daylight hours it just feels different.

Its not so geared up as UK, the Cities are lit up nice though.

Live and learn

Well well; ABC talking positively about the Basque country. Must be a first!
They got it mostly right too; we start around 21.00 tonight after leaving the crowded bars, to a family meal of cabbage, entremeses (including langostinos, jamon, & asparragus) & fish (merluza, since besugo is too expensive).
Tomorrow the Englsh way complete with homemade stuffing, homegrown parsnips, breadsauce & a capon.
Best wishes.

If you like it lively at Christmas then Benidorm is the place to be!
My OH & I have spent many Xmas and new year celebrating with loads of expats and winter holiday makers in and around the town. Very lively during and into the night & can be as busy in the daytime as in the summer.

All depends what you want!