Everything you need to know about the switch on of Malaga's Christmas lights

The official inauguration of the city’s Christmas lighting will take place this Friday evening at 7pm in Calle Larios where the main draw is the return of the famous light and sound shows. A ‘Christmas forest’, a huge structure made up of 22 arches and thousands of strings of lights, has been setup and it will burst into life when journalist María Casado flicks the switch. The musical shows will take place between 7 pm and 10 pm, although the exact times have not been reported to try and avoid crowds in the street.

This year the council has extended the city's Christmas lighting to the Alameda Principal (where 500 strings of bright leaves have been installed), the Plaza de la Marina and the Paseo del Parque, where 14 arches have been installed decorated with sweets and lollipops of various colours. In addition, Calle San Juan will be illuminated with striking and innovative chandeliers.

Another of the highlights this Christmas will be a 'video mapping' show with Christmas effects and scenes related to the birth of Jesus that will be projected onto the south tower of the city’s Cathedral. In addition, the construction of the unfinished tower of the cathedral will also be recreated. The screenings will also take place from 7 pm to 10 pm, starting on Sunday 28, although the precise times have not been announced to try and avoid large gatherings.

Malaga’s historical La Concepción botanical garden will host a striking Christmas light and music spectacular. During a two-kilometre walk through the gardens visitors will be able to enjoy 31 different scene. The atttraction will open on Saturday and tickets are already on sale from 12 euros.

The City Council has illuminated nearly 500 streets in the districts this year with Christmas decorations and has scheduled different activities to celebrate the arrival of the festivities. Among many others, in the Toquero district there will be artificial snow (Friday, 6 pm), the East district will project a 'video mapping' on the facade of the church with a Christmas story theme (Friday, 7 pm) and Campanillas will premiere an innovative light and sound show called 'The Shining Forest of Christmas' (Friday, from 5.30 pm).