Christmas in Pamplona

Don’t know what to do at Christmas? Do you have a few days off and feel like enjoying that Christmas spirit away from home? Then read on because in Pamplona we have a sackful of suggestions for this Christmas.

Come to the capital of the Kingdom and enjoy the magic of the Christmas lights, the smell of roasted chestnuts, heart-warming traditions and the good cheer that pervades the streets. And if you’re one for buying presents at the last minute, visit Navarre’s fairs and shops, where the windows have been dressed for the occasion, inviting you to enter:

The joy of Christmas:

• Olentzero. A traditional Christmas character, the Olentzero is a charcoal burner who, legend has it, comes down from the mountainside on Christmas Eve to visit the villages with presents for all the children. Accompanying this mythical figure come children dressed as traditional farmers, groups of singers, pipers, a living nativity scene, a range of floats and the Zanpantzar troupe.
  • Date: 24 December.
  • Time: 6 p.m.

• The arrival of Their Majesties the Three Kings Share the magic of when Their Majesties the Three Kings come to Pamplona
  • Date: 5 January.
  • 4 p.m. Bridge of La Magdalena.
  • 4.30 p.m. Gate of France.
  • 5 p.m. Plaza Consistorial.
  • 7 p.m. Parade from Santa Catalina college.

• Enjoy the Parade of Their Majesties the Three Kings. The Three Kings. The parade starts at Colegio Santa Catalina in Calle Abejeras at 7 p.m.

Nativity scenes:

• ​​​​​​​The nativity scenes of the Pamplona Nativity Scene Makers’ Association in Baluarte. More than 30 models of different sizes, made using different techniques and materials, representing typical Christmas scenes.

• ​​​​“The Ducks’ Nativity Scene" in the Taconera gardens. An outdoor nativity scene on view 24 hours a day.

• The Nativity scene in the hallway of City Hall.

Christmas shopping:

• Christmas Fair in Plaza del Castillo. Exhibition and sale of crafts and local products.

• Christmas Fair in the Bullring. There’s a wide variety of products on offer at the stalls, so you’re sure to find what you need for your family, for friends or for yourself. From handicrafts, traditional food, clothing and accessories to esoteric products.

​​​​​​​Music and fun in the streets

• Outdoor Christmas carols  by the choir of the Gayarre Friends of Opera Association (AGAO).

• Christmas concerts in the streets of the Old Town and districts of Pamplona. Different organisations and groups take part in these itinerant concerts, as do dulzaina players, troupes and choirs.

• Christmas Festival. With a receptive, varied and avant-garde concert programme.

• Other concerts. Different choirs in a number of churches in the city and concerts in Palacio de Condestable, Baluarte and Teatro Gayarre.

• Argiluna. Christmas light show in the city.
  •  Dates: until 6 January.

• Other Christmas lights. Video art projections, light installations, creative workshops for all the family and art exhibitions.

• San Silvestre all-comers race. Every 31 December, the streets of Pamplona teem with amateur athletes to run the traditional San Silvestre race, a cheerful and participatory all-comers race much loved by the locals.

Fun with the kids:

• Ice skating rink on Paseo de Sarasate.

• Christmas marquee in Plaza del Castillo. A space with workshops, family games and much more.

• Txikipamp, a play, leisure and entertainment space in the Old Bus Station. Children’s entertainment and activities for all ages.

• Navarra Arena The Magical World of the Three Kings.