Christmas in Pamplona is a time of lights, music and traditions that you will not find anywhere else. Every year the City Council organises a programme of more than 100 activities, from concerts and light installations to workshops for children. Plaza del Castillo becomes the heart of the celebrations, and the old town fills with families out for a walk.
The season also has its own characters: Olentzero, the charcoal burner who brings presents on Christmas Eve, and the Three Kings, who arrive on 5 January. This guide explains what to expect and how to plan your stay.
The Christmas market and ice rink in Plaza del Castillo
From the end of November, Plaza del Castillo hosts an ice rink, and from mid-December a Christmas fair with stalls selling crafts, gifts and local products. In 2025 the fair ran from 15 December to 6 January, closing on 25 December and 1 January, and the rink opened from 29 November to 6 January.
The exact dates, times and prices change every year, so check the City Council’s Christmas programme before your trip. The programme usually also includes light and video art installations in the Ciudadela and a Christmas season at the Teatro Gayarre.
Olentzero, 24 December
Olentzero is the most beloved figure of Christmas in Navarre and the Basque Country. He is a mythical charcoal burner who comes down from the mountains on Christmas Eve to bring presents to children. The tradition has pre-Christian roots linked to fire and the winter solstice. In its origins, the name referred to the large log that was burnt in the hearth on Christmas Eve.
In Pamplona, the tradition was brought from the town of Lesaka by former pupils of the Capuchin school, members of the Asociación de San Antonio founded in 1955. Today, on the afternoon of 24 December, Olentzero and his companion Mari Domingi parade through the city centre with music, dancers and choirs. The parade usually leaves around 17:45 from Iturralde y Suit street, passes through Plaza del Castillo and reaches the City Hall square around 19:30. There, Olentzero receives the red scarf of San Fermín, one of the most photographed moments of the evening.
The parade is free. Arrive early if you want a good spot, especially with young children.
New Year’s Eve, 31 December
New Year’s Eve in Pamplona is lively and very local. Read our guide to New Year’s Eve in Pamplona for the best plans, and book early: it is one of the busiest nights of the winter.
The Three Kings parade, 5 January
For Spanish children, the Three Kings (los Reyes Magos) are the ones who bring presents on the night of 5 January. In Pamplona, the celebration has been organised since 1927, when the first parade was promoted by the Pamplona Press Association. Since 1996 it has been run by the Asociación Cabalgata de Reyes Magos de Pamplona.
The day starts in the afternoon, when the Kings arrive on dromedaries at the medieval Magdalena bridge. They enter the old town through the Portal de Francia and are received at the City Hall while the bells of the city’s churches ring out. In the evening, the parade sets off from the Santa Catalina school. It continues along Paseo de Sarasate and through Plaza del Castillo, with illuminated floats, music bands and nearly 1,000 participants, and ends on Avenida Carlos III.
In the days before, you will see the Kings’ “advance party” around town:
- The royal postmen, who collect the children’s last letters and hand out sweets in exchange.
- The Italian flag-throwers, who perform acrobatic routines with their flags.
- The royal dromedaries, a favourite photo opportunity for children.
Tips for spending Christmas in Pamplona
- Dress warmly. December and early January are cold, with nights close to freezing. Our Pamplona weather guide has the averages month by month.
- Plan around the holidays. Many shops and some restaurants close on 25 December and 1 January, and opening hours are shorter on the 24th and 31st.
- Book early if you are coming for New Year’s Eve or the Three Kings weekend.
- Enjoy the food. Christmas is a great time to try Navarre’s cuisine. See our guide to where to eat in Pamplona.
A home for the holidays
If you are coming with family, an apartment makes Christmas much easier. Our apartments in Pamplona have 1 to 4 bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen to prepare your own Christmas meal, heating and a living room where everyone can get together. They are next to Yamaguchi Park and the Clínica Universidad de Navarra, about a 15–20 minute walk from the old town. Check availability for your dates.
