Marbella Family Fun update - Sunday January 2, 2011

* Happy New Year!

Our family has been out and about during the New Year holiday celebrating with family and good friends and ringing in the new year in Granada. We would like to thank you all for your support and comments throughout the year and hope to hear much more from you in 2011.

Marbella Family Fun wishes you all a very happy, healthy and prosperous New Year!

* English movie listings

These are the listing for movies that are playing in Marbella and on the Coast in English from Friday December 31st until Thursday January 6th. The cinemas in Fuengirola and Málaga are not posting movie times for Friday, Wednesday and Thursday. We will continue to return to their site for any updates and post them as soon as possible.

Cinema Gran Marbella:
The Tourist
Little Fockers

Fuengirola Miramar:
TRON: Legacy
Little Fockers

Plaza Mayor Malaga:
The Tourist
Little Fockers
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Part I)
Burlesque
Megamind 3D
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
TRON: Legacy - 3D

Click here to find movie times and locations...

* Three Kings Day

Christmas and New Years Eve are both behind us, however in Spain Three Kings Day is just as significant, so there is still a lot of hustle, bustle and shopping going on. Learn more about the Three Kings and how it is celebrated here. Click here to read more...

* Holiday sales start January 7

One of our readers asks: "New to Marbella. Like to do some serious shopping and looking forward to sale. Do not know when to hit the shops? Is it the same as in th UK?"

The Christmas holidays are over, but there is still Three Kings Day on January 6th, so the sales don´t start until after then. Click here to read more...

* Visit the Three Kings´ helpers in Marbella

Christmas may be over, but if you are in Spain the kids still have Three Kings Day to look forward to. Most families do their gift exchanging on this day, which is celebrated on January 6th, so you may notice the shops are still full.

If you would like to experience a bit of Three Kings culture with the kids, their helpers will be passing out candy in the historical center from 11:00am to 2:00pm until January 5th. Just head out to Old Town and you will see them walking through the streets. This event is organized by Marbella Historic Center delegation. Click here to read more...

* Ice skating in Marbella

If you´re looking for some fun with the kids, we recommend visiting the temporary ice skating rink in Marbella. Hours are from 12:00pm until 11:00pm. Free entrance and 6 euros for skates and 45 minutes on the ice rink. Rides are 2.50 euros. The rink will remain open only until January 6th. Click here to read more...

* Send your letters to the Royal Mailman to the Three Kings

Until January 5th the Royal Mailman to the Three Wise Men welcome all children with their requests at Plaza de la Iglesia (Church Square) in Marbella and Calle Córdoba in San Pedro de Alcántara.

Visiting hours: Mornings – 11:00am - 1:30pm Evenings - 6:00pm-8:30pm January 5 – 11:00am – 1:30pm

Don´t forget to write your name and address in your letters to the Three Kings so that they can send you a letter back. The post office will be installing a mailbox where the royal mailman will deposit all the letters. Click here for more information. Click here to read more...

* Science museum in Granada

Our family spent New Years Eve in Granada and had a chance to visit the Granada science museum "Parque de las Ciencias" located in the city center. The kids had an amazing time and we can highly recommend it if you have a few days to spare during your visit to the Costa del Sol. For more information on the museum visit their website at http://www.parqueciencias.com/eng/

We will soon be writing about our experience, so be on the lookout for our reviews! Click here to read more...

* Hello Kitty show and party in Marbella

On Monday, January 3rd, Marbella town hall is putting on a fun Hello Kitty show and party for all the kids in Marbella starting at 5:00pm.

"Hello Kitty and the Three Kings Night" will entertain the kids at the Plaza de la Iglesia (Church Square) in Marbella. This silly cat with her funny entertainer shows us how to spend Three Kings Night in a different way with original dances, lots of games, and competitions. Workshops in animal balloons and face painting. Click here to read more...

* Three Kings Parade

On January 4th and 5th Marbella Town Hall will be putting on a Three Kings Parade in Nueva Andalucia, Las Chapas, Marbella center and San Pedro de Alcántara. See our Calendar of Events for times and days or our list of Marbella Holiday Events (scroll down to January) for more information. This is an event your children should not miss! Click here to read more...

* What is the Three Kings Parade?

On January 5th, cities organize ¨la Cabalgata de Reyes¨, a festive parade across town with the Kings mounted on big chariots and throwing candies to all the kids around. This is a major event attended by most families. Some parades are very spectacular and shown on TV. Click here to read more...

* Roscón de Reyes

Roscón de Reyes is a traditional round cake with a hole in the middle that is served the night before or morning of “Reyes” or Epiphany (January 6). It is baked with several surprises inside the cake such as a porcelain figure.

You may find your own in any supermarket or bakery around town or taste some at any of the parties put on by the Town Hall in Marbella. Scroll down to January for days and times. Click here to read more...

* El Niño Lottery

It´s time to get your tickets for El Niño lottery sold at many kiosks throughout Spain. El Niño, literally meaning the little one, is a slightly smaller draw celebrated on January 6th, the Three Kings Day. It represents a second chance for people missing out on El Gordo, and will occupy most TV channel broadcast during the midday draw. Click here to read more...

* The Nutcracker

If you´re in town until January 7th, then you may want to take the kids to see Tchaikovsky´s "The Nutcracker" at 8:00pm. This show is presented by the Russian State Ballet at the Teatro Ciudad Marbella (Marbella City Theater). Entrance 25€ and tickets can be purchased at the theater´s box office and El Corte Inglés. Click here to read more...

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