Christmas carols are beginning to fill the air, announcing the arrival of one of the most festive times of the year, Christmas. The Mar de Santiago region is illuminated by thousands of lights and colour, filling the atmosphere with joy and excitement. If you love this festive period and are doing the Way, we recommend that you read this post to discover exciting plans that’ll enable you to enjoy Mar de Santiago’s Christmas with us. We share a series of plans to accompany your Route to Compostela, immersing yourself in the Christmas spirit.
Sustainable Christmas in Pontecesures
The town of Pontecesures, which stands out due to its Roman Bridge, has decorated its streets to receive this Christmas season. If you visit it, you’ll be able to enjoy its Christmas lights featuring more modern motifs compared to previous years. Among them, the LED lights campaign in the town’s main square (Plazuela) stands out, thereby reflecting its commitment to sustainability.
In addition to this initiative that has been well received by the residents of this municipality of Mar de Santiago, there’s also the decorations made by the locals themselves in Praza de Valeiros. We recommend that you visit this singular ensemble featuring decorations made of recycled plastic. You’ll be able to appreciate the attention to detail, with a large Christmas tree and two mosaics: one featuring the Three Wise Men and a colourful Nativity Scene. Undoubtedly, a highly original initiative that you shouldn’t miss.
Don’t miss visiting Valga
It there’s one place that is synonymous with the Christmas tradition, it has to be Valga. Every Year, its Artisanal Nativity Scene in Movement is a must-see for thousands of visitors. You’ll love the recreation of both traditional and contemporary scenes, such as the reproduction of the vaccine centre in Santiago’s City of Culture, the Tokyo Olympic Games with the Galician athletes Ana Pelletier and Teresa Portela, or the Church of Todoque buried under lava from the volcano on the island of La Palma.
On this occasion, the Nativity Scene is made up of 4,000 hand-made figures, which is one of the reasons why it’s been declared a Cultural Heritage Site. It’s worth visiting it to enjoy this Christmas’ most peculiar scenes. And to round off this fantastic plan, in this municipality of Mar de Santiago you can also visit the Valga History Museum and explore its different exhibition spaces. The history of La Belle Otero will take you back to La Belle Époque!
Discover Vilanova de Arousa’s Christmas plans
Another of Mar de Santiago’s essential towns is Vilanova de Arousa. If you’d like to enjoy this time of the year with your kids, you should visit the Christmas Village. It’s located in the garden called Xardín Uumbrío and you’ll be pleasantly surprised by it. You’ll see its beautiful grove lit up, as well as a series of little houses decorated in Christmas style. There’s even an English double-decker bus!
Likewise, if you’d like to round off your tour of the municipal district of Vilanova, we’d like to suggest an interesting plan. Last Sunday, the Municipal Artisanal Nativity Scene was opened in the Church of A Pastoriza. You’ll be amazed by the work of different artisans, especially carpenters, thanks to whom this traditional Nativity Scene is considered a real artistic creation.
Catoira, culturally speaking
Catoira is one of the places in Mar de Santiago where you can enjoy very interesting Christmas plans. We invite you to discover the Torres de Oeste Cultural Activation Centre (CACTO), where you’ll be able to appreciate the Vikings’ influence in this region, as well as enjoying a historical tour ranging from Prehistory to the present day.
In addition to its cultural options, the municipality has recently switched on its Christmas lights. What could be better than enjoying a cup of hot chocolate after enjoying a pleasant stroll contemplating the Christmas decorations? In Catoira you’ll find numerous bars and restaurants to round off a perfect day.
As you can see, Mar de Santiago has prepared a very entertaining Christmas. If you don’t have any plans yet, let yourself be carried along by the magical Christmas spirit and create special moments that’ll stay close to your heart. Take note of our suggestions… We’re waiting for you in Mar de Santiago!