Lucena will officially welcome the Christmas season on 28 November with a festive event featuring the renowned band Las Cigarreras from Seville and the Cantores de Hispalis choir. The town hall has provided a preview of the Christmas programme, which will include a lighting ceremony showcasing the Three Crowns of the Three Wise Men, in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Peña Amigos de los Reyes Magos.
The inauguration will take place in Plaza Nueva, where this year’s decorations will centre around the Three Crowns, alongside the traditional Nativity scene. The lighting display will feature 18 lamps and LED light curtains adorning the streetlamps in the plaza, while the festive lights will extend throughout the city with over 300 arches, ten new decorative motifs, and an additional 22 arches in the areas surrounding Ronda de San Francisco and Avenida del Parque, aligning with the new route for the Cabalgata de Reyes (Three Kings Parade).
One of the highlights of the musical programme will be the performance by Cantores de Hispalis, who will celebrate their 50th anniversary this year. They are scheduled to perform their Christmas show, Cantores de Navidad, on 23 December at 20:30 in Plaza Archidona. This performance will focus on traditional Andalusian carols and will incorporate a new audiovisual element to enhance the experience.
The members of Cantores de Hispalis expressed their excitement about participating in Lucena's Christmas festivities and thanked the town hall for its commitment to such a deeply rooted celebration. They aim to entertain audiences of all ages and to pass on the significance of this musical tradition, which is an integral part of Andalusian cultural identity.
The musical programme will also feature a Christmas zambomba (a traditional Andalusian musical gathering) by the local group Al Fresco on 11 December, a performance by Macarena de la Torre on 18 December, and a musical afternoon on 24 December by the local group Sonando a Navidad. Additionally, a concert by Javi Crespo is scheduled for 2 January at the Municipal Auditorium, marking the start of his “Contando Estrellas” tour.
As a prelude to the Christmas festivities, a concert titled “Así Canta Jerez en Navidad” is set for 14 November at the Municipal Pavilion. This event is part of a broader programme that will include children's activities, craft workshops, baking sessions, storytelling, magic shows, and theatre performances. Established events such as the Christmas Market, the Friki Market, the Solidarity Motorbike Santa Claus Parade, and a children's Christmas leisure space at Paseo de Rojas will also take place, involving various municipal departments such as Youth, Culture, and Sports, along with operational services and security, and collaborating entities that facilitate these activities.
Araceli Rodríguez, the Councillor for Festivities, encouraged residents to enjoy the offerings and to fully immerse themselves in the festive season, inviting visitors from other municipalities to come to Lucena and partake in a wide array of musical, cultural, and leisure activities suitable for all audiences. She stated that this Christmas aims to keep traditions alive and provide spaces for gathering and enjoyment for all citizens, allowing everyone to find their own way to celebrate this special time of year.
