Local guide · VamosAlicante
December weather
- Average high 17°C, low 8°C.
- 4 rainy days a month on average.
- Sunshine 6h/day.
- Sea 16°C.
- Sunset ~17:45.
Local guide · VamosAlicante
Alicante in December — a warm, cheap and festive month
Updated July 2026
December is the best-kept secret of the Costa Blanca. 17°C afternoons, cheap flights, Christmas lights on the Explanada, and the castle to yourself. Here's exactly what to expect and what's on.
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Christmas in Alicante
- Lights: switched on early December, Rambla + Explanada + Plaza Luceros.
- Belén (nativity): Ayuntamiento hall, free entry.
- Christmas market: stalls on the Rambla until Three Kings.
- Ice rink: often set up on Plaza Séneca.
- 24 Dec: shops close early, family dinner night — book restaurants ahead.
- 25 Dec: quiet morning, most restaurants open lunch only.
- 31 Dec: countdown at Plaza del Ayuntamiento, 12 grapes with the bells.
- 5 Jan: Kings' parade (Cabalgata) — huge evening event.
What to do in Alicante in December
- Long walks along the Explanada with lights on.
- Sunset castle visit — no queues, dramatic light.
- Long tapas lunch in the Old Town, sunny terraces still work.
- Elche palm grove — surreal in winter light.
- Guadalest day trip — mountains dusted with snow behind.
What to pack
Layers: T-shirt, long sleeve, a proper jacket for evenings. Sunglasses. One warm hoodie or fleece. Comfortable walking shoes for the Old Town cobbles. Rain jacket just in case.
Frequently asked questions
›What's the weather in Alicante in December?
Average high 17°C, low 8°C. Around 4 rainy days in the month. Plenty of sunny days perfect for terrace lunches, cold at night.
›Is Alicante open at Christmas?
Yes. Restaurants stay open (many close only 24 Dec dinner and 25 Dec lunch). Museums and the castle are open. Christmas Eve is quiet in the streets; New Year's Eve is lively.
›Is there a Christmas market in Alicante?
Yes — Belén and craft market on Rambla Méndez Núñez / Plaza de los Luceros from early December to 5 January. Small but pleasant.
›Can you swim in Alicante in December?
The sea is 16°C — brave northern Europeans do at Postiguet, most people don't. Sunbathing on a good day is possible.
›Is December cheap in Alicante?
Yes outside 22 Dec – 4 Jan. Hotels 45–70 €/night mid-December, flights among the cheapest of the year. Prices spike sharply for Christmas and New Year.
›What happens on Three Kings (5 Jan) in Alicante?
Big evening parade — the Cabalgata de Reyes — floats, sweets thrown to children. Route through the centre from ~18:00. The main gift-giving night for Spanish children.
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