Santander is set to enhance its festive offerings this Christmas with the introduction of navilia light park, a holiday attraction that will transform part of the Jardines de Pereda into a dazzling space filled with light, fantasy, and family-friendly experiences. Fran Arias, the city’s councillor for social dynamism, revealed that the event will take place from 4 December to 10 January, covering an area of 8,000 square metres and featuring eleven themed environments, immersive spaces dedicated to Lapland, and a wide range of Christmas activities throughout the city centre.
“The aim is for residents and visitors to discover a proposal that combines an extensive illuminated pathway, themed settings, festive characters, and activities for all ages, while also extending the festive atmosphere to different areas of the urban centre,” Arias highlighted.
The main park will span 8,000 square metres and will be adorned with approximately 1.2 million LED lights distributed across eleven thematic zones. The illuminated trail, which is designed to delight audiences of all ages, will take about 40 minutes to navigate and will feature trees, pathways, gardens, garlands, and large luminous figures, offering a new way to experience Christmas in Santander.
One of the key attractions will be ‘Sensaciones de Laponia’, an immersive experience that invites visitors into the world of Christmas through four distinct spaces: Santa Claus's House, the Lapland Exhibition, the Elves' House, and the Northern Lights. This section will include a covered area of 400 square metres, featuring animatronic figures, scenes, and immersive sounds where Santa, reindeer, polar bears, and elves will take centre stage.
Navilia light park will be part of a broader Christmas initiative that connects various locations in the city centre, with complementary activities to enjoy the lights, attractions, gastronomy, and seasonal traditions. The Jardines de Pereda will also host a Christmas market along its northern and western edges, while the Plaza del Ayuntamiento will feature a large Christmas tree and a children's carousel. Additionally, the Plaza Alfonso XIII will have six attractions, including teacups, elephants, a Christmas train, jumping castles, and two inflatables, alongside a food and sweets area. The Plaza Porticada will host the traditional ice rink and various children’s entertainment options.
“This initiative will provide different entertainment and leisure alternatives, inviting people to explore the centre of Santander and enjoy Christmas in its streets and squares,” Arias remarked.
Special pricing
The park will offer various ticket prices and promotions to facilitate family access to this new festive experience. General admission to the illuminated pathway will cost €10, while children aged two and under can enter for free. From 9 to 22 December, a special promotion will allow children aged 3 to 14 to purchase tickets for €6. Additionally, residents of Santander over the age of 14 will benefit from a reduced price of €8 during the same promotional period. These special conditions aim to make the new experience more accessible to local families and ensure that children can enjoy the festive programming.
Among the special initiatives planned is a raffle for a trip to Disneyland Paris for four people, available to those who purchase the first 10,000 tickets. The winning number will correspond to the last four digits of the lucky ticket drawn during the Reyes Lottery.
Opening hours and ticket sales
Navilia light park Santander will open its doors from 4 December to 10 January, operating from 17:30 to 23:30. Tickets and services can be purchased through the designated sales platform for the event. “With this new initiative, Santander will add a space designed for sharing, surprising, and enjoying with family, with light, fantasy, and illusion as the main attractions. It’s an invitation to discover the city from a different perspective and to transform a stroll through its most emblematic spaces into an unforgettable Christmas experience,” Arias concluded.
