Local
Malaga's discreet Christmas switch-on brings controversy
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The festive lights came on in the city as usual on the last Friday of November, but the number of people gathering on Calle Larios has been cause for concern
Malaga's Christmas lights were switched on discreetly on Friday evening. Unlike in previous years, there was no ceremony, no celebrities to hit the switch and no spectacular light show.
Covid-19 meant that the city hall did not announce the time that the lights would come on to avoid crowds gathering. Nevertheless, numerous shoppers and passers-by were taken by surprise at 5.30pm when the illuminations came on and Christmas music started playing.
/ Salvador Salas
This year there will be no music and light show at set times, but instead the festive music will play every day between 11am and 3pm and 5pm and 10pm.
The lights, however, have caused controversy with many concerned that they are drawing too many crowds.
The police, however, blame the perspective given by cameras on the ground. They say their aerial footage shows sufficient distancing and that numbers aren't excessive.
Capacity controls, nonetheless, are under consideration by the city hall.
