December 5 The grand Cartagena Christmas light switch-on: What to see in the city this year and where
A combination of new elements (such as a drone show) combine with traditional features like the almond branches to make a very promising Christmas in Cartagena
Mark your calendar, as Cartagena City Hall has announced they will turn on the Christmas lights on Friday December 5, 2025.
This year, it promises to be even better than ever before as they are adding a new drone show from the Puerto Esplanade. The show will use up to 220 drones and 18 pyro drones that will fill the skies with stunning festive music and visual effects.
The Christmas switch-on event will also feature live music from the Russingers choir and fireworks. The local council will announce more details about the schedule of events and festive activities on December 1.
For now, what we do know is that on December 5, the Christmas lights will be turned on in the entire municipality of Cartagena: from La Manga Nautical Station, where they will display a curtain of lights with special effects, to Cartagena’s famous historic centre, where most people will be gathered. The Christmas lights will shine until January 6, Three King’s Day.
The Christmas decorations will also include figures of the Three Wise Men measuring over 8.5 metres tall, with camels along Paseo Héroes de Cavite, a 13-metre shooting star and, of course, the classic almond branch decorations in warm white, gold, violet and pink along Calle del Carmen.
The almond branch Christmas lights are what Cartagena is now known for, and a favourite for many.
Other Christmas decorations include a 3D Royal Crown of 4–5 metres high in Plaza Juan XXIII, fully lit trees with garlands and twinkling lights in Plaza Alicante, and illuminated arches along the Alameda de San Antón from Plaza de España to the Escudo monument.
Lighting runs daily from 6pm to midnight, with extended hours until 2am on Fridays, Saturdays, Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve and during the Three Kings celebration (January 5–6). In total, Cartagena will shine with over 750 LED installations.
Cartagena will open its traditional ‘Belén’ nativity scene on December 6, another important date in the festive season. The Cartagena Christmas Market is expected to make an appearance this year, as well as festive family-friendly workshops and activities.
Overall, Christmas in Cartagena is shaping up to be even more memorable than ever. Stay tuned for more details.
Also of interest: All about the Christmas light switch-on in Murcia city, with lots of surprises this year!
Address
Punic Wall Interpretation Centre, Calle de San Diego, s/n 30202 CARTAGENATel: 968 128 955
Oficina de turismo de Cartagena
Cartagena tourism information
Where to find basic tourism information and information about historical sites and places to visit in Cartagena, Spain.
Cartagena has a wealth of historical sites, including the Roman Theatre Museum, Archaeological Museum, ARQUA Subaquatic Archaeology Museum, Panoramic lift, Civil War Air raid Shelter and Military and Naval Museums, as well as Tourist Bus and Tourist Boat which ferries visitors across to the Fuerte de Navidad.
There is one main Tourist Information Office and 2 tourist information points, the main one being in the Muralla Púnica Interpretation centre in Calle de san Diego and the other next to the Civil War Air Raid Shelter and Panoramic lift.
The office in the Plaza del Ayuntamiento is the easiest place to pick up a map if you've come into the port from a cruise ship, and has a few basic 
leaflets, but not a lot else.
The information point for the Puerto de Culturas attractions is by the Panoramic lift and Civil War Air Raid shelter in Calle Gisbert, although maps and leaflets are available at any of 3 information points.
There is plenty of in depth information about Cartagena in the dedicated Cartagena section, accessed via the map box at the bottom of every article page or by using the town search box at the top of the page. the introduction gives basic information about the city and then readers can select from the subjects below for information about the city, or the rest of the municipality.
Tourist Offices:
Oficina Municipal de Turismo Puertas de San José
Plaza Almirante Bastarreche s/n
Opening hours: weekdays 10.00 to 14.00 and 16.00 to 18.00, Saturdays 10.00 to 13.00.
Oficina Municipal de Turismo Muralla Púnica
Calle de San Diego, 25
30202, Cartagena
Telephone 968 52 14 27
Click for map, Tourist information office Muralla Púnica.
Opening hours.
31st July to 15th September, Monday to Sunday, 10am to 8pm
31st March to 30th June, Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 7pm.
16th September to 4th November, Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 7pm.
5th November to 30th March, Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 5.30pm.
Punto de Informacion Turistica
This is on the side of the Palacio Consistorial in Cartagena ( The Town Hall)
Plaza del Ayuntamiento S/N
Cartagena, Spain
Tel 968 128 955
Click for map, Tourist Information point, Plaza del Ayuntamiento, Cartagena
Opening hours
May to September: Monday-Saturday 10am-1.30pm and 5pm-7pm
Sunday 10.30am-1.30pm.
October to April: Monday-Saturday 10am-2pm and 4pm-6pm
Sunday 10.30am-1.30pm.
Cartagena - Punto de Información Turística Ascensor Panorámico
Calle Gisbert, 10
30202 CARTAGENA
Opening hours:
From 31st March to 30th June, Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 7pm
Semana Santa, Monday to Sunday 10am to 7pm
From 16th to 30th September (Cartagineses y Romanos) Tuesday to Sunday: 10am to 7pm.
From1st October to 4th November , Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 7pm
From 5th November to 30th March, Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 5.30pm.
From 1st July to 15th September, Monday to sunday 10am to 8pm
Click for map, Panoramic Lift, Cartagena
