Christmas in Ontinyent: mild weather, magical traditions and plans that will make you fall in love

15 Dec 2025

If you're thinking of moving to or investing in the interior of the Valencian Community, Christmas is one of the best times to discover what daily life is really like here. As a real estate agency in Ontinyent specialising in international clients, at Homes in Costa Blanca we love showcasing this time of year because it perfectly encapsulates the welcoming, family-friendly, and peaceful character of the city.

In December, Ontinyent is filled with lights, music, and activities for all ages. All this with a much milder climate than in Northern Europe: it's common to enjoy highs of around 12-16ºC during the day, with plenty of sunshine that allows you to continue using the terraces even in winter.

Below we tell you how Christmas is celebrated here, what traditions you can't miss, and why many of our foreign clients end up saying: "I can imagine spending the holidays here every year."

“Ontinyent Il·lusiona": a whole month of Christmas atmosphere

Christmas in Ontinyent is not just Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve: the city experiences more than a month of continuous activities thanks to the "Ontinyent Il·lusiona" campaign, which includes the switching on of lights, a Christmas Market, circus and street theater shows, concerts, activities for young people, children's activities and all the programming linked to the Three Kings.

The festivities kick off with the lighting of the Christmas tree, located this year in Ausiàs March Park, accompanied by the charming Christmas figures and a special soundtrack. It's one of the most moving moments: entire families gather to watch the tree and the city's main streets light up.

From there, cultural, commercial and family activities take place practically every week: from workshops and shows for children to classical and modern music concerts.

For those looking for a home here, it's a perfect opportunity to stroll through the neighborhoods, experience the real winter atmosphere, and understand what it means to live in a mid-sized inland city... but one with plenty of life.

Christmas Market and streets full of life

One of the main attractions for residents and visitors is the Christmas Market (Mercat de Nadal), part of the “Ontinyent Il·lusiona" program. It is held primarily on weekends in December and, in recent years, has been located in areas such as Plaça de la Concepción and Ausiàs March Park, featuring more than fifteen stalls run by local businesses.

In this market you will find:

Christmas crafts and decorations
Local gastronomic products, typical sweets and sausages from the area
Family entertainment, workshops, storytelling and live music

All of this is combined with shopping streets, such as Martínez Valls or Daniel Gil, decorated with lights, Christmas shop windows and terraces full at aperitif time.

For someone who comes from countries with very harsh winters, it's surprising to see how in the middle of December you can still:

Having a drink outdoors at midday
A stroll without snow, but with a totally Christmassy atmosphere
Enjoy a city with services, but without traffic congestion or overcrowding

If you are visiting the area to view properties with our Real Estate Agency in Ontinyent , we recommend planning at least one day to get lost in the historic center, the Clariano River and these squares and parks full of Christmas atmosphere.

Traditions that will make you feel like you're in a movie… but in a Mediterranean version

Christmas in Ontinyent blends typical Spanish elements with details unique to the city:

The parade of light and the "Christmas decorations"

As part of the "Ontinyent Il·lusiona" program, a light parade is organised, in which children can participate by carrying lanterns to the Christmas tree. They are accompanied by the Güendos del Nadal, beloved characters who have become a symbol of the holidays in the city.

Royal Postman and children's train

In the days leading up to January 5th, the Royal Postman travels through several neighborhoods on a small children's train to collect children's letters to the Three Kings. It's a very special tradition for families, filling the streets with music, excitement, and joyful faces.

Concerts, street circus and children's New Year's Eve

Venues like the Teatro Echegaray host Christmas concerts and special performances, while the town squares feature an accessible street theater and circus festival designed for the whole family. A children's New Year's Eve celebration is also organised so that the little ones can experience their own New Year's Eve countdown in the afternoon, without having to stay up late.

Three Kings Parade through the heart of the city

On January 5th, Melchior, Gaspar, and Balthazar arrive in Ontinyent in a parade that travels along avenues such as Almaig and Daniel Gil to the Plaza Mayor. Floats, music, sweets, and the adoration of the Baby Jesus are all part of one of the most anticipated nights of the year, for both children and adults.

If you're visiting from elsewhere, all this might sound like a very local tradition… and it is. But that's precisely where the charm lies: immersing yourself in the daily life of a Mediterranean town-city, where everyone greets each other, families know one another, and Christmas is celebrated in the streets.

Winter climate: pleasantly cold, sunny and surrounded by nature

Unlike many areas of northern Europe, winter in Ontinyent is cool, but not extreme. In December and January, it is common to find:

Sunny days with maximum temperatures around 12-16°C
Cold but bearable nights, around 4-7°C
Clear skies that invite you to go for a walk or explore the surrounding area.

The city is surrounded by mountains and natural landscapes, making it easy to combine the Christmas atmosphere of the city center with hiking excursions, visits to nearby villages in the Vall d'Albaida region, or Christmas meals in country houses.

For many of our foreign customers, that combination of nature, moderate climate and authentic local life is one of the main reasons to shop here.

Can you imagine spending next Christmas at your home in Ontinyent?

If what you've read has piqued your curiosity, perhaps it's time to take the next step:

Would you like to buy a country house, chalet or estate and experience Christmas with a fireplace, mountains and a Mediterranean atmosphere?
Do you own a property in the area and are you considering selling it to foreign buyers who value this lifestyle?

At Homes in Costa Blanca, your real estate agency in Ontinyent, we accompany you throughout the entire process:

If you are a buyer, we will search for the property that suits you and help you with NIE, banks, insurance and after-sales service.
If you are a seller, we offer professional advice, international marketing and all the necessary help to prepare the sale of your home.

Goal 2026: to spend next Christmas in Ontinyent

If you'd like to hear Christmas carols next time from your own terrace in Ontinyent, surrounded by lights, markets and mountains:

Contact Homes in Costa Blanca, your real estate agency in Ontinyent specialising in international clients.
We'll help you find the perfect home so that these traditions... become your own.

Telephone: +34 649 430 894
Email: info@homesincostablanca.com
Office: Calle Miquel d'Helena, 16 – Planes (Alicante), Spain