The most eagerly awaited day on the whole island is close at hand! No, it's not Space opening, it's Christmas day when around 130,000 people take a day off work (well, obviously not Santa Claus and the skeleton staff of the emergency services) to celebrate!
The festivities seem to start earlier every year, and despite a small reduction in the budget, they'll be starting this Friday, 30th November, in Ibiza town when the official inauguration and switch on of the Christmas Tree and street illuminations takes place.
The ceremony starts at 18.00, when a heavenly choir of angelic children will provide a musical accompaniment to the big 'plug in.' Cue drum roll!
There are two markets also taking place in the Vara de Rey; the Christmas Market, which is open from 10.00 – 22.00 daily from 30/11 until 23/12, and the Craft Market, open from 10.00 – 14.00 and 17.00 – 22.00 until 06/01. Don't forget that the Art Supermarket, another Christmas institution, is also open at this time.
Kids young and old looking for a bit of excitement will love the fairground attractions in the Can Misses area of Ibiza, (Calle Es Cubells, near the hospital) which is open until 06/11 with stalls, carousels and rides for all.
The nativity scene, which comprises almost a whole village of people, animals, angels and so on, is housed in the church of San Telmo in the marina area of town and can be viewed every day from 07.00 – 13.00 and 17.00 – 20.30 until 6th January.
The other main Christmas activities taking place around Ibiza town are:
27/12, 18.00, Vara de Rey Square – Folk Festival
28/12, 20.00, Vara de Rey Square – Concert with Javier Chivite
29/12, 11.00, Eivissacentre – Concert with Ivan Domenech
31/12, 16.30, Race up to the Cathedral
01/01, 00.10, Vara de Rey Square – New Year Celebration with Erisalsa
05/01, 18.30, Cavalcade of the Three Kings around the streets of Ibiza
Well, if that doesn't ensure we have the Hap Hap Happiest Christmas then I don't know what will – well apart from Bing Crosby tap dancing with Danny Kaye, obviously.
