Today we want to show you that our beautiful region, in addition to being a major tourist attraction in the summer season, offers you great plans to enjoy a magical Christmas in Cantabria. Through the most beautiful villages of the region, we will bring back the excitement and magic of these special times of year.
We love living the excitement of these days close to the people we love most, but the truth is that the temptation to discover the traditions and festivities of other places is very attractive. So we have set out to create an “advent calendar” with the most charming places we know to make you fall under the spell and fill you with the festive spirit.
The oldest market in Europe in Strasbourg, Santa Claus Village in Finland, or the Winter Wonderland in the United Kingdom fill the headlines of many posts at this time of year.
Well, today we tell you: Come and visit! We are lucky to live in a community that has it all. Infinite Cantabria is not just the Altamira Cave, Cabárceno Park, Sardinero Beach, sobaos, and quesadas. It offers much more to everyone who comes to visit.
During the month of December, special festive events and Christmas markets are held in some of the most beautiful spots, where you can soak up the magic and the joy so characteristic of the season. And, what’s more, you can get to know our history, culture, and traditions. Could you ask for anything more?
Do you want to know what you can see in Cantabria?
Read our post: What to see in Cantabria: 20 perfect plans
The temperature in some parts of Cantabria during the winter is chilling, but nothing that can’t be endured with a good coat, a scarf, and some boots. Let the cold become your ally during the trip we are proposing. You wouldn’t be the first to get excited watching the first snowflakes fall or waking up to our mountains covered in white.
These aren’t just plans for kids or families; they are much more than that. Let yourself be carried away by the charm and innocence; we will be the shooting star that guides you on your path through the most beautiful villages of Cantabria at Christmas.
Before your Christmas road trip through Cantabria
🚗 Many of these villages are best reached by car: compare options at Discover Cars.
🛡️ We never travel without IATI travel insurance (5% off for Glutendtrotters readers), essential for any getaway, especially in winter.
📶 And if you’re visiting from outside Spain, a Holafly eSIM (also 5% off for you) keeps you connected from minute one to check market hours and routes.
CHRISTMAS IN SANTANDER
When Christmas arrives in Santander, the capital of Cantabria transforms into a dreamlike setting where the magic of the festivities can be felt in every corner.
Our coastal city, known for having one of the most beautiful bays in Spain and for its vibrant cultural life, is adorned with twinkling lights that reflect the Christmas spirit on the Cantabrian Sea.
If you are looking for a moment of calm during this time, the boat trip around the bay offers a unique perspective of the illuminated city center, reflecting the beauty of Christmas on the marine horizon.
The traditional Christmas market comes to life, offering everyone who stops by a wide variety of local crafts, from unique jewelry designs to our most typical nativity scenes, like the Pasiego and the Sailor-themed ones. In Santander, Christmas is not just a time to celebrate, but also to discover the rich history and traditions of Cantabria.
The city center becomes the hub of the festivities, with concerts and special events that capture the essence of a genuinely Cantabrian Christmas.
The City Hall Square, the Paseo Pereda gardens next to the Centro Botín, Plaza Porticada, and Plaza de Pombo are dressed up in their best finery, illuminated with hundreds of colored lights and full of activities, such as the ice skating rink, children’s carousels, and the carol contest, which fill everything with their magic.
For the more curious, there are special ways to explore the city. Joining a guide on this small-group walking tour of Santander, which originated near the Cathedral, allows you to relive one of the city’s most significant historical episodes.
Are you a fan of nativity scenes? The churches of El Cristo and Santa Lucía display the ones locals love most, while the municipal nativity scene, set up every year in the City Hall Square, pays tribute to an important part of our history and traditions. This year, each of the characters represented is dressed in the typical sailor outfit.
The smell of roasted chestnuts that completely floods the old town of Santander evokes our most tender and innocent childhood.
The charm and warmth of this beautiful city will wrap around you before you even notice.
CHRISTMAS IN SANTILLANA DEL MAR
Santillana del Mar shines with its own light all year round in Cantabria, but it is during the Christmas season that it displays all its splendor, transforming into a canvas of history and tradition.
The charm of Christmas is reflected in every corner of its renowned medieval architecture. The cobblestone streets are dressed in festive lights that highlight its stone facades and balconies, adorned with special details for these days.
The locals get fully involved in the cultural and musical events, providing you with an unforgettable experience full of entertainment and joy.
The nativity scene contest, with the participation of all the neighbors, and the carol recitals in each church of the municipality are just a sample of what you can enjoy.
We love doing ‘the Nativity Scene tour’, each one more beautiful and elaborate than the last. But we must admit, without meaning to disparage the others, that the nativity scene that always captivates us is the one at the Parador Gil Blas, with every detail carefully recreated.
If you also need gluten-free food while visiting the nativity scene, the restaurant at the Parador Gil Blas itself is listed in the official directory of the Asociación de Celíacos y Sensibles al Gluten with gluten-free options and menu.
Do you want to feel a shiver of excitement with the arrival of the Three Wise Men? Come to Santillana del Mar and experience the Three Kings Parade up close, a 50-year-old tradition.
Declared a National Tourist Interest Heritage site since 2009, this parade is a living representation of 9 biblical scenes, culminating with the arrival of the Three Wise Men, with the participation of about 500 people who celebrate the town’s biggest festival for more than two and a half hours. Words cannot describe the emotion and magic of the town; you have to see it for yourself.
Enjoying Christmas in Santillana del Mar is a magical experience: history, culture, and celebration come together in an environment that seems straight out of a storybook. Immerse yourself in the medieval charm of this season with the special Medieval Christmas activity. Don’t miss this unique opportunity and book now to have an unforgettable Christmas.
CHRISTMAS IN TORRELAVEGA
Torrelavega, in the heart of Cantabria, becomes a vibrant center of festivity and joy during Christmas.
This city, known for being an important hub of commercial and industrial activity, transforms into a festive stage full of light, color, and music.
The streets of Torrelavega, normally bustling, take on a special glow with the Christmas decorations, inviting locals and visitors to immerse themselves in the spirit of the holidays.
The Torrelavega Christmas market is an excellent opportunity to discover local products and find unique gifts, while the aromas of traditional Cantabrian gastronomy fill the air, tempting everyone to taste its delicacies.
The city offers a rich and diverse cultural agenda, with special activities for children. Storytelling, puppets, face painting, an ice skating rink, a ski slope, a small train that runs through the city, a circus… and the Route of the Nativity Scenes could not be missing. You will have a hard time deciding which plan to choose if you don’t have much time.
Experiencing Christmas in Torrelavega means feeling the warmth and hospitality of its people, in an environment that combines tradition and modernity. To make parking easier for visitors, they usually allow free car parking at the Cattle Market.
Let yourself be surprised by the dynamism and joy of one of the most emblematic cities of Cantabria.
CHRISTMAS IN CARTES
This picturesque corner of Cantabria has become an unmissable event at this time of year, offering an extraordinary experience in a historical and natural setting.
Cartes, a charming village with its narrow streets and typical mountain buildings, becomes an idyllic setting for Christmas celebrations.
It became world-famous in 2023, when, competing with Vigo over Christmas lights, it put up the tallest Christmas tree in all of Europe, standing 65 meters tall. Inside it there used to be a Santa Claus house that delighted the little ones.
Since 2024, the town council decided not to put the giant tree up again, choosing new attractions instead: the Camino Real is transformed into an illuminated Christmas village with a craft market, a flying Santa Claus parade, and the Magic Christmas Park, with lights and projections. According to the Cartes town council, Christmas 2025 drew more than 110,000 visitors.
We won’t lie to you: visiting Cartes during this season takes patience, since the queues can get long. But it is worth immersing yourself in this unique and memorable experience, where history, culture, and festivity intertwine in a naturally impressive environment.
Don’t miss the opportunity to walk through Cartes at Christmas, enjoying its houses adorned with lights and decorations that enhance its architectural beauty.
CHRISTMAS IN QUIJANO
Quijano, a charming town in Cantabria, transforms into a true Christmas postcard during this time of year. This small and cozy village, known for its tranquil atmosphere, offers an extraordinary experience.
During Christmas in Quijano, locals adorn the facades and gardens of their houses with delicate lights and festive decorations, creating a warm and familiar environment that invites you to take a quiet walk, far from the hustle and bustle of the big cities.
But don’t think you will be alone visiting it; many of us are drawn by the dedication and care with which all the neighbors participate in this beautiful initiative, inviting us to enjoy Christmas with the same excitement.
Come to Quijano and discover how a small village can be the setting for great moments of joy and celebration during these significant times.
LA VIJANERA
Who said Carnival is only in February? In Europe, the first one of the year is celebrated in Silió, Cantabria. Yes, it takes place on the first Sunday of every year, which is why we decided to include this peculiar event in our special advent calendar.
For the Cantabrians, this winter masquerade, related to those celebrated in the rest of the European continent, was declared a National Tourist Interest Heritage site and represents one of the most significant pagan festivities in our community.
Despite the opposition of the Church over the years, this celebration has endured to this day. Although the exact origin is somewhat ambiguous, we know that its name comes from the god of cattle, Janus.
In this winter solstice ceremony, about 150 neighbors bring to life 80 different characters to celebrate the arrival of the New Year and say goodbye to the Old Year through various acts throughout the day.
The zarramacos, with their unique attire consisting of sheepskins, pointed hats, and black paint on their faces, are the true protagonists of the festival, with the mission of driving away evil spirits to the sound of their bells.
This celebration symbolizes the desire to say goodbye to the ending year and prepare the way for the one that begins, full of excitement and good omens.
We offer you the opportunity to enjoy unique experiences in our region. In addition, to complete your visit, we recommend a selection of restaurants where you can enjoy gluten-free options.
GLUTEN-FREE RESTAURANTS TO ENJOY CHRISTMAS IN CANTABRIA
Important: only those restaurants associated with the Cantabria Celiac Association offer the guarantee of avoiding cross-contamination. Other establishments have gluten-free dishes or adaptations, but without the same guarantee, as their kitchens are not completely isolated for this purpose.Musli Burguer
(Avda. España, 3, Torrelavega)
This charming establishment, located next to the Torrelavega Christmas Market, presents a wide variety of burgers with gluten-free buns. In addition, it offers vegan options and gluten-free beer. We have known it for a long time and loved discovering how it has adapted to new culinary trends. Its vintage decor and the friendly service from the staff add a very special touch to the experience.
Read more >>> Where to eat gluten-free in Cantabria
So, if you are looking for a place where Christmas is lived with authenticity and charm, Cantabria is your destination. Let yourself be carried away by the magic of our villages and start your Christmas adventure in Cantabria: lit-up villages, markets full of local products, and always a good gluten-free bite along the way.
We promise it will be an unforgettable experience. And once you’re back, tell us which village stole your heart!
You might also be interested in reading the following posts:
What to see in Comillas: 10 must-sees
A road trip through Cantabria: discover its hidden paradises
Exploring what to see in Liérganes: A charming corner in the heart of Cantabria
Visiting in a different season? Check out our guide to the best fall activities in Cantabria, from Santander Bay to prehistoric caves.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When is La Vijanera celebrated in Cantabria?
La Vijanera is celebrated on the first Sunday of every year in the village of Silió, and is declared a National Tourist Interest Heritage site.
Does Cartes still have the tallest Christmas tree in Europe?
No longer. Cartes had Europe’s tallest Christmas tree in 2023, standing 65 meters, but the town council has not put it up again since 2024. Instead, the village now celebrates Christmas with an illuminated Camino Real turned into a Christmas village, a market, a flying Santa Claus parade, and the Magic Christmas Park.
How long does the Three Kings Parade in Santillana del Mar last?
The Three Kings Parade in Santillana del Mar lasts more than two and a half hours, with the participation of around 500 people, and has been declared a National Tourist Interest Heritage site since 2009.
Where can I eat gluten-free during Christmas in Cantabria?
In Torrelavega, Musli Burguer offers burgers with gluten-free buns, vegan options, and gluten-free beer. In Santillana del Mar, the restaurant at the Parador Gil Blas is listed in the official directory of the Asociación de Celíacos y Sensibles al Gluten with gluten-free options and menu.
Is there free parking at the Torrelavega Christmas market?
Yes, to make visiting easier, free car parking is usually available at the Torrelavega Cattle Market.
