It is Christmas. These are dates that invite us to meet up with our loved ones, to enjoy with our family and friends.
And for these meetings, Córdoba is a perfect city. Its unique charm and welcoming atmosphere make it the perfect city to be the setting for family activities
And as it could not be otherwise, the city is already dressed in all its Christmas finery and has become the perfect setting to walk through its historic streets and enjoy these endearing dates.
The Christmas lights in the Historic Center
Córdoba has been one of the earliest Spanish cities to turn on the Christmas lights, with Cruz Conde Street as the nerve center. The lighting has 487,000 light points, all of them with LED technology, distributed along the 230 meters that the meteor shower will have. The lighting design has three main novelties. On the one hand, the half arch is left behind to bring a new proposal with a design of shooting stars and a starry sky, and, on the other hand, the trees are incorporated into the installation, since 46 of them will have lighting, which will be in keeping with the rest of the show. These will have 49,000 points of light. In addition, on Cruz Conde Street there will be five daily musical performances, three of which will have reduced sound so that people with autism spectrum can enjoy. In addition, there will be a magnetic loop so that deaf people or those who need hearing aids can also participate.
Christmas markets: Gifts and local crafts
One of the most genuine Christmas activities is to walk through the markets that are set up especially for these dates, and as it could not be otherwise, in Córdoba we can also enjoy this wonderful tradition. These are some of the markets where we can stroll and do Christmas shopping:
– Plaza de las Tendillas, located in the nerve center of Córdoba, is the epicenter of Christmas activity during December. This market is characterized by offering a wide variety of typical seasonal products: from handmade Christmas decorations to traditional sweets such as “mantecados”, “polvorones” and “roscos de vino”, as well as mulled wine, ideal for fighting off the cold in Córdoba, or the classic roasted chestnuts
– Plaza de la Corredera. One of the strong points of this market is its dedication to local crafts. Córdoba artisans proudly display their products, which range from hand-carved nativity scenes to leather pieces worked using traditional techniques. It is an ideal place for those looking for unique and personalized gifts, far removed from mass production. In addition, the kids can enjoy an ice-skating rink installed in the square itself.
– Paseo de la Victoria: This market is known for its variety of products. Here you can find everything from decorative objects to gastronomic products from the region. There is no shortage of stalls selling Iberian sausages, artisan cheeses and extra virgin olive oils. You will also find wooden toys, textiles and all kinds of decorative elements
Traditional nativity scenes in Córdoba
No city can be without traditional nativity scenes and naturally, Córdoba is no exception.
Throughout the city you can find all kinds of nativity scenes, but we would like to recommend some that are of special interest, such as the winning nativity scenes from the Cajasur Foundation’s 2024 nativity scene competition. These are those of the Hermandad de la Sangre, which won the first prize in the artistic category, the prize for popular nativity scenes went to the Asociación Cultural y Recreativa Amigos de San Lorenzo, and the prize for dioramas went to the parish of Santa Teresa. The competition has reached its 43rd edition this year, and the awards ceremony will take place on Thursday, December 26 at 5:30 p.m. at the Palacio de Viana.
Activities for children: Family Plans
The kids are on vacation and need a little fun. An activity especially suitable for them is a visit to the Chiquilandia park. This year it surprises with new attractions, a large ice rink and free theater performances, becoming the ideal plan for families during these holidays. The park will be open until January 6, 2025.
Typical sweets: “Mantecados” and Cordoban cake
No Christmas meal or dinner is complete without a good dessert. Cordoban pastries offer us any time of the year, but especially for these dates, its “mantecados” and Cordoban cakes, which you can find in the main bakeries in the city. The Cordoban cake is a traditional cake from Cordoban cuisine. It basically consists of a cake made of puff pastry that is usually filled with angel hair, citron and in some cases ham.
As you can see, there is no shortage of options to enjoy Christmas in Córdoba, and there, in the heart of the historic centre, Vitium Córdoba awaits you as the starting point for your Christmas holidays.
Merry Christmas from Vitium!