The best things to do this Christmas in Asturias

It is a time of fantastic lights in towns and cities, of Nativity scenes, of bright decorations, of street markets, of traditions such as Father Christmas, L'Anguleru, Prince Aliatar and the Three Wise Men, of winter masquerades, of New Year's Eve bells, and of many other unforgettable experiences and sensations.

Here we begin a tour of some suggestive Christmas plans in Asturias!

The tradition of nativity scenes has been deeply rooted in Asturias since time immemorial. For this reason, the nativity scenes become a great tourist and cultural attraction at this time of year.

Villaviciosa hosts one of the most outstanding nativity scene routes in the Principality(opens in a new tab), with several nativity scenes distributed in museums, churches, foundations and historical buildings. A perfect itinerary to discover the town while enjoying the Christmas atmosphere.

- Belén de Poreñu, in the Exemplary Village of Asturias 2017.

- Belén Marineru de Tazones, a unique tradition by the sea.

The Royal Site of Covadonga also celebrates Christmas with nativity scenes distributed throughout the Santa Cueva, the Basilica, the Collegiate Church and other surrounding areas, accompanied by special lighting that reinforces the Christmas atmosphere.

The life-size Nativity Scene of Lluanco/Luanco occupies the heart of the historic quarter - next to the clock tower - and has become one of the most unique nativity scenes on the Asturian coast.

Parque Principado has been exhibiting a very Asturian Nativity Scene for some years now. Each year it is dedicated to an area of Asturias, and has become an attraction for visitors.

This year the traditional nativity scene of Parque Principado is dedicated to the village of Grau/Grado(opens in a new tab).

- Cue (Llanes) offers a living nativity scene on January 5th at night.

- The mountaintop nativity scenes, such as those of Bustabernego (Coaña) or Cristo de Monaso (Boal), combine tradition and mountains in spectacular settings.

Asturian villages become the perfect settings for enjoying an authentic and welcomingChristmas thanks to the collaboration of local residents and their festive spirit.

This village transforms its streets with the initiative "Santibanes de Cuentu en Navidad" (Santibanes de Cuentu at Christmas), where the villagers make sustainable Christmas decorations with recycled materials. The result is a real fairytale village.

Places such as Aciera (Quirós), Caravia, Vegadeo, Ceceda (Nava), El Cutu (Siero), Taramundi, Andrín (Llanes), Bueño (Ribera de Arriba), La Piñera (Gozón), Vioño (Gozón), Santianes del Agua (Ribadesella), Les Roces (Cangas de Onís) and Tiós (Lena) are filled with lights, decorations and settings that reinforce their natural charm. Tiós also holds a Christmas market on 20 and 21 December.

In addition to its decoration, Piantón (Vegadeo) holds a Christmas market with more than 30 craft and food stalls, accompanied by activities and a festive atmosphere on 20 and 21 December.

Every year, the large cities of Asturias prepare a wide and varied programme for all audiences, combining leisure, culture, markets, nativity scenes and shows.

Christmas in Oviedo(opens in a new tab) has all the ingredients to delight young and old, and with a very complete programme:

- Multigames, ice rink and slide in the Campo San Francisco.

- Father Christmas and his elves will take you around the city.

- Three Kings Parade, one of the most outstanding in Asturias.

- Christmas markets in Plaza de la Catedral, Plaza Porlier and Milicias Nacionales Street

- Nativity Scenes in the Cathedral Square and Trascorrales

- Navibus and Christmas Train to tour the Christmas Oviedo.

Gijón/Xixón is embarking on a bright Christmas(opens in a new tab) not only for its illumination, but also for the multitude of leisure activities included in its programme for these dates.

- The popular "estrellona", an iconic element of the city's Christmas lights.

- Christmas boat, with rides around the bay and delivery of letters to the Three Wise Men.

- Three Wise Men parade with the arrival of Their Majesties by sea

- Monumental nativity scene in the Antiguo Instituto

- New Year's Eve party in the Plaza Mayor

- Inverland in El Solarón:

o Big ice rink

o Sledging track

o Flying reindeer

o Christmas Jumping

o Christmas train for the whole family.

The Christmas programme in Avilés(opens in a new tab) is wide and varied, covering both the city centre and the neighbourhoods.

Here are some of the highlights:

- Extensive Christmas lighting, with light ceilings, arches and a large walkable tree in the Plaza de España.

- Emblematic spaces such as the Town Hall, the Palacio Valdés Theatre and the Muelle Park are decorated in a special way.

- Navilés, City of Christmas, at the La Exposición rink, with Father Christmas' house, ice rink, inflatables, attractions and gastronomy.

- Craft market in Las Meanas Park

- Christmas train to connect the main festive venues.

L'Anguleru is one of those young Christmas traditions in Asturias(opens in a new tab). The story of his appearance on the Christmas scene is, to say the least, curious: the Garabuxada Association of L'Arena, in the council of Soto del Barco, decided to create this character during Christmas 2008, as an alternative to Father Christmas, and with the idea of recreating the Asturian tradition. They chose this figure because this profession is one of the most characteristic of the town and because elver fishing is deeply rooted in Asturian society. In addition, in the past, many elver fishermen used their earnings to buy Christmas presents for children.

Winter masquerades are traditional festive events held in various parts of Asturias - especially between Christmas and Carnival - in which masked or disguised characters walk through the streets performing symbolic, scenic and community rituals.

Some of the most outstanding winter masquerades in Asturias are:

- Aguilandeiros de San Xuan (Grado), which take place on 20 December, with performances symbolising the struggle between good and evil.

- Las Salguerinas de Pillarno (Castrillón), who perform on 24 December, paying homage to the work and resilience of rural women.

- Os Reises del Valledor (Allande), who take to the streets on 3 January, with traditional characters who go around the villages asking for Christmas bonuses.

- Los Sidros de Valdesoto (Siero), which are staged on the first Sunday after Epiphany. It is a winter masquerade that forms part of the carnival cycle. The sidros herald the arrival of the comedies, which represent traditional characters such as gallants, ladies, vieyos and vieyas.

- The Guirria de Ponga (San Xuan/San Juan de Beleño, Ponga), which is held on 1 January and has been declared a Fiesta of Tourist Interest. Wearing a mask and escorted by men on horseback, the Guirria is an almost invulnerable character, a kind of superhero for the New Year. The role is played by a young man from the council who will kiss the young women in his path and who will throw ashes and beat up anyone who prevents him from doing so. The "aguinaldeiros" go around the houses on the back of their shiny horses, accompanying the Guirria in his ghostly incursion through the streets of San Juan.

Christmas is one of the most special times to enjoy the cultural facilities in Asturias. Museums, interpretation centres and cultural spaces offer a unique programme full of creative workshops, shows, educational activities and carefully designed experiences for families to enjoy an unforgettable Christmas. It is the perfect time to discover Asturian heritage through play, imagination and participation.

During these dates, many museums in Asturias adapt their programmes to offer Christmas themed activities that bring culture and history closer to the public in a fun, accessible and family-friendly way.

Located in a unique natural setting, the Prehistory Park offers a very special Christmas workshop in which children can decorate their own Christmas magnet inspired by prehistoric motifs. The space becomes an educational experience that mixes creativity with archaeology, allowing children to connect with cave art while having fun designing their ornament.

The setting - with green areas and an enclosure with prehistoric animals - makes the workshop a little adventure for the whole family.

Located next to one of the most important caves of European Palaeolithic art, in Ribadesella/Ribeseya, the Tito Bustillo Cave Art Centre is running a beautiful workshop to create a winter ornament inspired by the animals of the last ice age.

Participants work with silhouettes of bison, reindeer or mammoths, reinterpreting the figures that Palaeolithic artists depicted thousands of years ago. It is a perfect activity to introduce children to the history of art in a sensorial, beautiful and Christmas-like way.

One of the most original workshops in the Christmas programme is the one offered by the Asturian Pre-Romanesque Art Reception and Interpretation Centre: the creation of a seal to seal letters with decorative motifs of Pre-Romanesque Art and symbols of the Asturian monarchy.

The children become little artisans, moulding, engraving and decorating their own personalised stamp. As well as being fun, it is a very didactic workshop that connects with the historical identity of Asturias. At the end, they can use their stamp to seal their Christmas letters... or even their letter to the Three Wise Men.

The Jurassic Museum of Asturias (MUJA) transforms its rooms into a real "dino-Nadal", with themed workshops for children to experience a Jurassic Christmas.

Special activities:

- Christmas snowball or water ball, made with elements inspired by the world of dinosaurs.

- Jurassic Christmas wreath, which families can design together using silhouettes, recreated fossils, prehistoric leaves and festive decorations.

These workshops are creative, educational and very photogenic. They are perfect to dedicate a whole afternoon to the MUJA and enjoy the museum in a warm, familiar and absolutely Christmas-like atmosphere.

The Laboral City of Culture has become one of the great Christmas cultural centres in Asturias. Every December it offers shows, music, humour, theatre and activities designed especially for children and families.

In the Teatro de la Laboral you can enjoy:

• Zepo Zapo (14th December). A show by the company Markeliñe full of visual humour, sensitivity and creativity. A play where young and old alike will be thrilled and laugh in equal parts.
• Petit Pop in concert (20 December). The famous Asturian group returns with a participative concert where families sing, dance and become the protagonists. It is one of the most eagerly awaited family Christmas plans.
• The Bluey Show (21 December). One of the most successful children's shows of the moment. Children enjoy watching Bluey and his favourite characters in a show full of rhythm, colour and magic. Ideal for the youngest members of the family.

In addition to the theatre, La Laboral offers dynamic activities, cultural tours and educational proposals that make this facility a perfect destination to complete a family Christmas getaway.

Asturias lives December with a magical atmosphere in every corner, and the Christmas markets are an essential part of this festive atmosphere. Stalls fill squares, parks and promenades with local crafts, gourmet products, traditional decorations, unique gifts, music, hot chocolate and activities for all the family. From small, rural markets to large city fairs, each one has something special. Here's a complete guide to enjoying them all.

The Oviedo/Uviéu Christmas market opens its stalls to coincide with the switching on of the lights, turning the historic centre into a great festive stroll. It stretches along the Plaza de Alfonso II El Casto, Porlier and other nearby streets.

There you can find:

- Local crafts in wood, leather, wool and ceramics.

- Natural soaps, candles, illustration and unique design pieces.

- Traditional sweets, nougats, jams and gourmet products

- Handmade Christmas ornaments

- Original gift ideas

- Christmas entertainment and occasional musical performances

- Specific guided tours of the flea market (4, 10 and 18 December)

- Free children's workshops every day the market is open.

This is one of the most complete markets in the Principality, with more than 100 stalls, a family atmosphere and the Cathedral as a backdrop.

Gijón/Xixón hosts several Christmas markets that fill the city with life from the end of November.

MENAX on Paseo de Begoña is an unmissable classic. Its wooden stalls are lined up under the festive lighting of the promenade, accompanied by a carousel and a luminous Ferris wheel.

You can find:

- Traditional crafts

- Handmade jewellery

- Illustration and decoration

- Locally designed products

- Original Christmas gifts

It is ideal for a stroll in the evening, when the lighting creates a particularly warm atmosphere.

ArteGijón, in the Plaza del 6 de Agosto, is a national crafts fair with the presence of artisans from all over the country. If you are looking for quality, unique and elaborate pieces, this is the market for you.

Avilés celebrates its great street market in Las Meanas Park, from 19 December 2025 to 7 January 2026.

It is one of the most carefully organised in Asturias and offers:

- Handicrafts (ceramics, leather, wood, glass)

- Creative jewellery and local fashion

- Gastronomic products: cheeses, sweets, honey, sausages and cured meats

- Traditional and modern ornaments

- Children's games and workshops

- Parallel cultural programme

It is open all day, with opening hours on the 24th and 31st until 8 pm.

In addition, the whole town is spectacularly illuminated, with light ceilings and luminous umbrellas that make the walk to the market a plan in itself.

Other markets in the area: Soto del Barco (from 6 to 12 December), and Castrillón (Gift Fair from 19 to 21 December). Castrillón also has an extensive programme of activities over the festive season(opens in a new tab).

The central area is full of street markets with their own character:

• La Felguera (Langreo). Market set up in the Dolores Fernández Duro Park, which includes craft and food stalls, workshops, musical performances, shows and a children's area (19 December-5 January).
• Riaño (Langreo). Solidarity and second-hand market (21 December).
• Candás. Christmas market, with workshops, musical performances, shows and lots of seafaring tradition (6-14 December, alternating).
• Lugones. Market with crafts, gourmet products and children's workshops on weekends (19-29 December).

Western Asturias holds some of the most authentic and special markets, surrounded by rural landscapes and tradition:

• Luarca/Ḷḷuarca (Valdés). Market in Plaza Alfonso X El Sabio on several days in December and January (6, 13, 20 and 27 December, and 3 January).
• Navia. La Pandereta Market, in Ramón de Campoamor Park, with crafts, workshops and activities for children (11-14 December).
• Boal. Market in Emigrantes square, with rural crafts, Christmas decorations and traditional products (12 December).
• Tineo. One-day market with food and craft stalls and musical entertainment (13 December).
• La Caridad (El Franco). A large market with around 40 stalls, children's activities and food collection (20 December).

Eastern Asturias combines a Christmas atmosphere with scenery of enormous natural beauty:

Llanes. Market in the Posada Herrera Park every weekend and public holiday. Includes crafts, food, children's activities and music (6 December to 6 January). There is also a market in Nueva ( 19-21 December), and a Christmas fair in Posada (22 December).

Cangues d' Onís/Cangas de Onís. Large market, with crafts, gastronomy, organic products and Christmas atmosphere in the heart of the Oriente (11-14 December).

Ribadesella/Ribeseya. A very special market next to the promenade, with music, workshops and a seafaring atmosphere (20-21 December).

So the Christmas plans are multiplying! To make sure you don't miss anything, check out our Asturias Calendar!