Christmas in Vigo 2025: street lighting, Ferris wheel, and Market

2025-10-22

Christmas in Vigo is celebrated in a very special way, because in this region of Galicia the festivities are taken very seriously.

The Christmas lights in Vigo will illuminate the city between november and January 2026.

In other words, the two Christmas markets complement the experience in the Galician city: the traditional Cíes Market (in Plaza Compostela) and the Calvario Christmas Market (in the pedestrian area of Rúa de Urzáiz).

There are also new features at Christmas in Vigo, such as the NadalBus, which I’ll explain in this article, and a Christmas circus in the city.

The Christmas lights will cover more than 420 streets, illuminated by 11.5 million LED lights, creating a dazzling and magical scene throughout the city. I’ll also tell you which are the most beautiful streets in Vigo to see the Christmas lights from ahead!

👉17 Christmas Markets in Europe You Need to Visit in 2025!

So, from the illumination of the city’s streets, to the Christmas Markets, the Ferris wheel, the Christmas circus, the NadalBus and the decorative figures that are distributed throughout the streets, there is plenty to see and do in Vigo at this time of year.

This article has been written based on our visits to Christmas in Vigo in previous years, and I have to say that every time I go there, I love the experience.

So here’s where the main tourist attractions are, what to expect from the Vigo Christmas Market this year and some final tips to make sure you enjoy your trip.

Vigo's Christmas Market. — Vigo’s Christmas Market.

Vigo Christmas Lights

The opening of the Christmas lights marks the official beginning of the Christmas festivities in Vigo.

People gather on Policarpo Sanz Street, where traffic is blocked, and on Príncipe Street, which is pedestrianized, to witness the lights being turned on for the first time, but the main location for the festivities is Porta do Sol.

However, you need to head to Porta do Sol early, as there are many people wanting to go there.

A countdown sets the anticipation, followed by a delightful Christmas music show accompanied by artificial snow.

The Giant Christmas Tree near Porta do Sol comes alive with a vibrant display of lights, accompanied by traditional Christmas songs.

The line for the carousel quickly grows with excited children eager to take a ride.

Speaking of queues, on the opening day of the Christmas lights, the Ferris Wheel becomes the most sought-after attraction. People patiently wait for hours to experience a few exhilarating minutes high above the city.

For those who prefer to explore the streets of Vigo, numerous festive scenes with Christmas motifs await. The Santa Claus House, a sleigh with reindeer, a towering snowman, and various other figures are dispersed throughout the city center.

Carousels and Vigo's Ferris wheel. — Carousels and Vigo’s Ferris wheel.

See the lights on the NadalBus

If you’re planning to visit Vigo’s Christmas lights, there’s something exciting: the NadalBus!

This bus will be available until January, so enjoy the experience.

It takes a circular route to ensure that you can see the city’s main illuminated spots in a practical and comfortable way, i.e. the itinerary starts and ends in Urzáiz-Príncipe.

Along the way, it passes by emblematic sites such as Gran Vía, Plaza de España, Plaza de América, Camelias, Venezuela, República Argentina, García Barbón and Colón.

It’s a perfect solution for those who don’t want to waste time parking or for those who prefer to relax while enjoying the magic of the Christmas lights.

What’s more, it’s an excellent way to explore the city without any worries, especially during the hustle and bustle of the festive season.

The NadalBus is ideal for families, friends or even those who like to spend time alone. There are no excuses for not making the most of Christmas in Vigo!

Visiting Vigo at Christmas with children.

Christmas Markets in Vigo

There are two Christmas Markets in Vigo, and so that you don’t miss anything, here’s information on what to expect, what to buy, the location, dates and times of the markets.

The Cíes Market

Cíes Market is the largest Christmas Market in Vigo, situated in Parque da Alameda, next to Praça Compostela, and boasting approximately 100 stalls.

If you’re fond of acquiring unique crafts and decorative items, this is the perfect place for you. Moreover, there are numerous food stalls and even a Ferris wheel for the more adventurous visitors.

Here is the location and opening hours:

Cíes Market Location: Praza de Compostela 22

Opening hours:

Weekdays: 17h00-22h30 (except from December 21 to January 16 (Christmas vacations), when it closes at 23h00.
Fridays, Saturdays and public holidays: 11h00-00h30.
Sundays and public holidays: 11:00-23:30.
December 24 and 31: 11h00-20h00. January 5th: 11h00-22h00.

The Calvary Christmas Market

This is the Christmas market for those who want to shop for handicrafts, and perhaps find that ideal gift to give to family and friends.

There’s also street entertainment, such as storytellers, attractions and even surprise visits from very special Christmas characters.

What’s more, if you shop at these stalls, you can win a ticket to one of Vigo’s attractions, so it’s definitely worth a look.

Here’s the location and opening hours:

Calvario Christmas Market Location: Rúa de Urzáiz 183, in the pedestrian area of the city.

Opening hours:

Working days: 17h00-22h30 (except from December 21 to January 16 (Christmas vacations), when it closes at 23h00.
Fridays, Saturdays and public holidays: 11h00-00h30.
Sundays and public holidays: 11h00-23h30.
December 24 and 31, 11h00-20h00. January 5th: 11h00-22h00.

Travel tips for those visiting the Christmas Market in Vigo

Here are some travel tips for those visiting the Christmas Market in Vigo:

Don’t forget to bring a coat as the temperature drops significantly at night.
Be prepared for a long queue at the Ferris wheel, so plan accordingly and expect some waiting time.
When it comes to food, the stalls offer a wide variety of options including pizza, sandwiches, chips, sushi, tacos, hot dogs, crepes, waffles, cookies, and more.
In terms of beverages, you can usually find beer at the stalls. Additionally, there are vending machines available offering water and soft drinks.

These tips will ensure you have a more comfortable and enjoyable experience at the Christmas Market in Vigo.

Exploring Vigo's illuminated streets. — Exploring Vigo’s illuminated streets.

What to Expect from Christmas in Vigo

As I mentioned, in past years, I took my family to the Christmas markets in Vigo, and they were incredible experiences.

Honestly, I wasn’t expecting to find so many people in the streets or so many interesting attractions to explore both at the Christmas festivities venue and throughout the rest of the city.

It’s truly the event of the year, and it is expected to bring over three million tourists to Vigo.

Accommodation in Vigo

Hotel Vigo Los Galeones Affiliated by Meliá, former Hotel Tryp Los Galeones.

When we visited Vigo on the night the Christmas lights were turned on, we faced challenges navigating the city center by car.

That’s why we opted for the Hotel Vigo Los Galeones Affiliated by Meliá, a four-star hotel conveniently located near the motorway exit and not far from the city center. This hotel offers a car park at a rate of aprox. €11 per day.

Alternatively, you may consider other excellent hotel options, such as the Hotel Axis Vigo, which also provides parking facilities, or the NH Collection Vigo.

However, other hotels can be good choices, such as the Hotel Axis Vigo which has parking, or the NH Colection Vigo, also with parking for your car.

To book hotels in Vigo, we recommend using online travel platforms for the best rates and availability.

Book hotels in Vigo

Exploring Vigo Beyond the Christmas Markets

While you’re exploring Vigo’s Christmas Market, why not uncover more of the city’s treasures? Brace yourself for a delightful surprise, as Vigo is genuinely captivating!

Here, we present tips on what to experience within the city, along with recommendations for tours and sightseeing adventures to elevate your visit.

Discover the historical monuments of the old town, pay a visit to the Parque de Castrelos (Castle of Vigo), embark on a scenic boat journey, and indulge in a delicious lunch on one of the charming terraces nestled in Vigo’s heart.

For those open to it, consider these noteworthy tours:

Albariño trails Private Wine Tour/Shore excursion from Vigo: Immerse in the charm of Rías Baixas. This Albariño Wine Tour, led by Juanjo, unveils unique winemaking techniques and visits two distinct wineries. Savor conversations with winemakers, their techniques, and Atlantic-influenced flavors. Indulge in a typical “furancho” lunch.
Self-Guided Sherlock Holmes Vigo City Game: Immerse yourself in a thrilling city adventure with our Self-Guided Sherlock Holmes Vigo City Game. Unravel a fictional mystery while exploring highlights like Praza da Constitución. Download the game app, solve puzzles, and enjoy British humor. Be the detective and explore Vigo your way.
Granbazán Winery: guided tour and wine tasting: with visit to the farm and wine tasting with typical food from Galicia;

These suggestions are just a glimpse of what Vigo has to offer beyond its Christmas celebrations. But if you’re eager to delve deeper into Vigo’s tourist attractions, fear not – I’ve prepared an article exclusively dedicated to this topic.

Discover the best sights and activities in Vigo, Spain, including accommodation recommendations, top tourist attractions, prime sunset viewpoints, notable restaurants, and much more.

Get ready to make the most of your time in Vigo!

Getting to Vigo: Your Travel Options

When planning your journey to Vigo, Spain, you have the choice of traveling by car or bus.

For those who prefer the flexibility of driving, rental cars are available in Vigo.

Rental cars is Vigo, Spain.

For exemple, if you’re driving from Porto, Portugal, the journey to Vigo’s city center takes approximately 1.5 hours.

To begin, take the A3 in the direction of Braga, and then continue toward Valença. Cross the River Minho via the bridge at the Tui border, and proceed along the expressway towards Vigo.

On the other hand, if you opt for public transport, consider utilizing bus services.

This option offers convenient schedules and competitive prices for travel from various Spanish cities to Vigo.

Everything you need to know about the Vigo Christmas Market

Where is the Christmas market in Vigo?

Vigo’s Christmas market is in Alameda Park, next to Plaza de Compostela. There are traditional wooden stalls with handicrafts, typical food, amusements for children and lots of Christmas attractions.

When do Vigo’s Christmas lights come on?

Vigo’s Christmas lights will be switched on on November.

When will Vigo’s lights go out?

The Christmas lights in Vigo will be turned off in January.

Which are the most beautiful streets to see the Christmas lights in Vigo?

The Giant Christmas Tree in Puerta del Sol, with a light and sound show.
Giant Ball, in Plaza de Urzaiz (La Farola), 12 meters tall, nicknamed the “spaceship”, with a visitable interior and a magical experience.
Forest of Luminous Trees, in Plaza de la Puerta del Sol, an installation full of glowing trees.
Christmas Forest, at 36 Policarpo Sanz Street, with luminous structures over 6 meters high.
Arch of the Gift Box, in Elduayen Street, a luminous passageway that symbolizes joy and the Christmas spirit.
Angels, on Avenida de García Barbó. Four illuminated angels with trumpets guard the church of Santiago de Vigo.
Giant Gift Box, at the intersection of Avenida de Gran Vía and Urzaiz. Considered the “greatest gift in the world”.
Magic Wagon, in Calle de Policarpo Sanz. A luminous cart where you can keep a special memory of Vigo.
Polar Star, Avenida de García Barbón, a giant star that crosses the sky towards Bethlehem.
Pórtico Star, in Calle de Policarpo Sanz, an illuminated entrance perfect for taking selfies.
Magic Christmas Lamp, in Calle de Elduayen – Alfonso XII, where you can make a Christmas wish with all the energy of the season.
Snowman, a giant snowman on García Barbón Street, which can be visited from the inside, ideal for photos with the family.
Luminous Birth, in the Plaza Colegiata. An illuminated representation of the birth of Jesus.
Bear with Gifts, in Calle de Elduayen and Calle de Policarpo Sanz. Giant bears offering a luminous gift.
Christmas Palace, in Calle de Policarpo Sanz. A castle full of lights, with a visitable interior.
Nativity scene, in Calle de Policarpo Sanz. A photo backdrop inspired by the gift of the Magi to the Child Jesus.
Reindeer, in Príncipe Street. Santa’s reindeer explore Vigo.

How much does it cost to ride the Ferris wheel in Vigo?

Tickets for the Ferris wheel cost aprox. €5.

Where is the Christmas tree in Vigo?

The Giant Christmas Tree in Vigo, the largest in Spain at 46,4 meters, is on the Porta do Sol Square. This impressive illuminated tree is an unmissable icon during Christmas in the city, so make sure you include it on your list of things to see in Vigo at Christmas.

Where to park at the Vigo Christmas Market?

In previous years I’ve opted to choose a hotel with parking, so I don’t have to go through the trouble of parking the car. The truth is that I’ve found very few free parking spaces and I think the paid parking lots are expensive.

Although everyone recommends free parking at Samil Beach, I honestly don’t feel comfortable leaving my car so far away.

Therefore, I prefer to book a hotel with parking or pay for a parking lot.

If you feel the same way, and if there is no better alternative, you can leave your car in one of these parking lots (click on the name to see the location on Google Maps):