10 Things to Do in Ibiza in December

December is a month to visit markets and to enjoy quiet walks in the middle of winter in Ibiza. It is one of the perfect tourist places to spend Christmas if what you want is tranquillity and family harmony. So make a note of these must-do activities among the best things to see and do in Ibiza in December.

This time of year is part of the winter period and therefore the low season in the Balearic Islands, so Ibiza becomes one of the best options for spending Christmas with few people. The Christmas spirit can be felt all over the island.

December is the month of Christmas, of course, which is why one of the best things to do in Ibiza at this time of year is to enjoy the typical gastronomy of the season on the island. There are many restaurant options to enjoy the different typical foods of Ibiza at Christmas.

In addition to the different restaurants that offer a varied Christmas menu during the December season, there are also certain places that offer banquets for locals and tourists on both Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve. Sofrit pagés, frit de Calamar and salsa de Nadal are some of the flavours you can try at this time of year in Ibiza.

Although, if you don't want to go to a restaurant to enjoy Christmas food, you can do so at the different markets that are set up throughout the Christmas season. Another option is to hire one of the best gastronomic tours in Ibiza especially for Christmas to enjoy the flavours of this season.

Details of interest

• Price: Food prices may vary from restaurant to restaurant and may also vary according to the type of tour you choose.
• Location: You can sample Christmas food all over Ibiza.
• Date and times: Christmas dishes are available in restaurants throughout the month of December.

One of the best things to do during the month of December is to visit the historic centre of the city, walk and stroll through each of the streets and avenues. I recommend this activity especially for the days of December because you will find a quiet city.

In addition to the peace and quiet that this island offers during the days of December, it is a good time to enjoy the Christmas decorations that invade the whole island during this month, and above all you will love the weather in Ibiza during the winter season.

You have two options for this activity. The first option is to walk through all the streets on your own, aimlessly, just letting the scenery lead you. You can also hire a tour of the city and get to know it with a guide who will take you to the most interesting sights.

Interesting details

• Price: Touring the city on your own won't cost you anything. But if you decide to take a guided tour, it can cost from 35 euros per person.
• Location: Tours take place in Ibiza Town, but the starting location depends on the coordination of each tour.
• Date and time: The dates and times of the guided tours are subject to coordination according to each group.

This is one of the festivals that you will like the most in Ibiza in December, because more than just music, this festival offers you different artistic, music and theatre shows. At the end of the festival, you can take part in a race that has become a tradition at the end of December.

The Cañas'n'Roll events take place every weekend of the month, so it's an activity you can't miss throughout December, in fact, in some cases the festival usually starts during the last days of November.

The musical atmosphere, the plays and even the marathon activity, are accompanied by different culinary options to taste and learn more about the traditional Ibicencan cuisine. Although it is not a gastronomic event, it is common to see a great variety of tapas based on the different Ibicencan flavours every year.

Interesting details

• Price: The minimum entrance fee is usually around 10 euros and is generally a donation to certain organisations. Consumption inside can cost a minimum of 3 euros for tapas or alcoholic drinks.
• Location: The event takes place in the town of San José in Ibiza.
• Date and time: The festival opens on the first weekend of December and closes on the last weekend of the month.

These fairs are one of the most popular in Ibiza thanks to their Christmas magic. For one weekend during the month, both locals and visitors can enjoy the different Christmas activities that are prepared around this fair, to experience the most beautiful time of the year. If you love Christmas and good food, you can't miss these fairs.

One of the traditions that I like to mention when I talk about the Santa Eulalia fairs is the great banquet that is served during the whole time that the fair is active. You can taste all the special flavours of Ibicencan cuisine at Christmas. From fork dishes to fideuá, pizzas and other dishes that are only served in December.

If you are visiting Ibiza with children in December, this is a great alternative to take them to have fun because there are also many activities for them at these fairs, including games, rides and traditional Christmas sweets.

Interesting details

• Price: Entrance to the fairs are free, but consumption and attractions are paid.
• Location: These fairs are set up in the Rieral neighbourhood of Santa Eulalia in Ibiza.
• Date and time: They are usually held on the second weekend in December from early morning until late afternoon. To find out more about the specific times, I recommend you visit the official website to find out all the details.

If there's one thing you can't miss during the Christmas season, it's the Christmas markets. In both Ibiza and Formentera, and in many other places in Spain, you can find markets of this type. But if you're visiting Ibiza in December, this is a good plan to spend a different day to see and buy some of the things you need to celebrate Christmas.

In the centre of Ibiza town, these markets are usually located on Paseo Vara del Rey. Here you will find many wooden stalls where you can find a wide range of Christmas items, from handicrafts to all kinds of food, especially Creole sweets and typical food for the month of December.

You can also find this type of market in Formentera, where you can go from Ibiza. The most popular are the Sant Josep and Sant Jordi markets. Although the Formentera market has so many years of history that it is already considered one of the most popular and traditional in the Balearic Islands. I recommend this event for any day of the week in the afternoon, and also to listen to some of the traditional Christmas music of this region.

Interesting details

• Price: Entrance to these markets is free, but the prices for shopping inside may vary according to each of the stalls.
• Location: The location can vary from year to year, but in the case of Ibiza, these markets are usually located in the city centre.
• Date and timetable: They are generally open from the first week of December, and can sometimes extend until the first week of January.

San Antonio is one of the main sites of urban movement in Ibiza, so it is not surprising that it is also the epicentre of one of the busiest Christmas parties of the December season in Ibiza. In that sense, San Antonio Town Hall offers locals and visitors alike a great Christmas schedule with activities for everyone.

The attractions change from year to year, as do the dates on which the fair is held in the town. But among the most common attractions that you can enjoy here are: the ice slide several metres high for sledding, an enchanted garden and different attractions for children.

For adults and youngsters there are also different activities in Ibiza to enjoy, among them different stands where you can taste the best of Ibizan gastronomy and sweets for the Christmas season.

There are also different musical activities and flamenco shows on offer. Something you will love about these fairs is the façade competition and the nativity scene competition. I recommend you to check the Town Hall website before you go to the fair, to find out about this year's Christmas programme.

Interesting details

• Price: To enjoy these fairs you don't need to pay anything, but you will have to pay to go on each of the rides and the rest of the consumption inside the fairground.
• Location: Generally held in Carrer Ample in Sant Antoni, but the location may vary from year to year.
• Date and timetable: These fairs are open throughout the month of December, generally from the second weekend of December onwards.

Going back to the tradition of the Christmas markets in Ibiza during the Christmas season, there is one in particular that you can't miss and that is the one held at Casa Maca. It is an incredible open-air market where you can enjoy different activities to do, but above all, a quiet and very Christmas-like atmosphere in the open air.

In addition to finding different things to buy, such as handicrafts and Christmas items, including the Christmas tree to take home, you can enjoy a Christmas menu with all the traditional Ibizan delicacies of this season of the year. All of this is set to background music, usually live and Christmas themed.

To find out more details about the menu, activities and dates of this event that is so eagerly awaited by locals and visitors to Ibiza, I recommend you visit the Casa Maca website, where you will find all the information you need to know about the activities of this street market inspired by those held in Germany and Austria.

Interesting details

• Price: Admission is free in general, although a donation of 5 euros is requested for certain organisations.
• Location: It is set up in the Casa Maca hotel, which is located in Can Palau de Dalt.
• Date and time: It usually opens during the second week of December and stays for at least a week. It starts in the afternoon and ends late at night. Approximately between 13:00 and 18:00.

One of the most traditional events in Ibiza in the month of December is undoubtedly the 3 Days Trail race, a marathon that lasts a whole weekend and is divided into three parts that are run over 3 days of running. You can participate in all three stages, in two or in just one, it all depends on your ability.

What is certain is that this event brings together the most daring athletes and runners, trail running lovers, to get to know and enjoy a large part of the natural spaces that the island has to offer to locals and visitors. This race usually takes place during the first weekend, and the total distance is 30K, that is, 10K per day of competition.

The first stage begins with the 10K night race. The second stage comprises four modes from which you can choose: 10K, half marathon, marathon or ultra. Each one has different levels of difficulty and part of what you will see are the most emblematic natural sites of the island. The third and last section is also a 10K, daytime run.

Details of interest

• Price: Registrations to participate range from 40 to 135 euros per runner per stage, and can change according to the stage you want to participate in.
• Location: The start is announced according to the race route year after year.
• Date and time: It takes place on the first weekend of December during the three days. It starts at night and the rest of the marathon is run during the day.

One of the quintessential Christmas traditions are the cock masses. They are a tradition on the island and throughout Spain, so if you go to Ibiza during the Christmas season, I recommend that you leave some time available to go to this traditional mass in the region.

They usually take place at midnight on the 24th of December. They are held in the cathedral of Ibiza town, so it's a great way to spend Christmas Eve. One of the things I like most about this liturgical session is how lively it can be, with the chanting and prayers of the priest officiating the mass.

Also called Matins mass, during these liturgical celebrations you will love to see and enjoy the singing of the Caramelles, who often offer traditional songs to brighten up the atmosphere of the cock mass. Quite a tradition.

Interesting details

• Price: Entrance to the church is free.
• Location: It is usually held in Ibiza Town Cathedral, although the location may vary from year to year.
• Date and time: It is held at midnight on the 24th of December.

If you are visiting the island in December and want a different celebration for Christmas and to say goodbye to the year, then I recommend you visit the Pachá discotheque, the most popular on the island and the only one that doesn't close even during the winter season, which is the low season on the island.

To go and enjoy the festivities at this popular club, I recommend you visit the club's website first, where you can get the latest information on activities, dates and ticket prices for the Christmas Eve or New Year's Eve party.

Interesting details

• Price: Ticket prices can be found on the club's official website.
• Location: Located on Avenida 8 de Agosto in Ibiza Town.
• Date and time: Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve parties take place on December 24th and 31st until dawn on December 25th and January 1st.