The 2026 December long weekend in Cantabria runs from Saturday 5 to Tuesday 8: Monday 7 is a public holiday because the Constitution Day holiday moves to that day, and Tuesday 8 is the Immaculate Conception. That makes four days in a row for Christmas lights, the winter coast and seasonal food, all from Bareyo.
December kicks off the low season on the Trasmiera coast, and that is exactly its charm. The beaches are empty, the villages start switching on Christmas, and restaurants get back the relaxed pace they never have in August. The calendar helps this year: 6 December falls on a Sunday and the holiday moves to Monday 7, so together with Tuesday 8 you get a four-day long weekend without using any annual leave.
This is not a beach break or a big mountain-hiking trip, and it's best to plan it that way. The idea is to mix a couple of outings to villages with a Christmas feel, short walks along the coast and long lunches, leaving room for rain, which often turns up at this time of year.
When the December long weekend is and what weather to expect
The Cantabrian work calendar sets Monday 7 December as a holiday, because Constitution Day on Sunday 6 moves to that day, and Tuesday 8 for the Immaculate Conception; the official source is the Gobierno de Cantabria. Add the weekend and the long weekend runs from Saturday 5 to Tuesday 8. As for the weather, AEMET puts the average December temperature in Cantabria at around 7 ºC, with average highs close to 11 ºC in the last December analysed, and rainfall that varies a lot from year to year: some Decembers have been dry and mild, others very wet. The sensible thing is to bring a waterproof coat and have a covered plan B for every day.
Lights, markets and Christmas plans
The lights tend to go on between the end of November and early December. In 2025, Torrelavega, Cartes, Santillana del Mar and Suances switched on their lights on 28 November, Noja on 29 November and Santander on 5 December, with more than 3.3 million LED bulbs and the Christmas market in Plaza de Pombo open until 6 January. The 2026 dates are still to be confirmed, so check each town council's website before planning your outing. Noja, about twenty minutes from Bareyo, sets up its market in the Plaza de la Villa, open at weekends until shortly before Christmas in the previous edition. A good split is to spend one afternoon in Santander and another in a small village, where the stroll is quieter.
Winter coast: short walks near Bareyo
With a swell running and changeable skies, the Bareyo coast feels completely different. The walk to the Ajo lighthouse is short, within anyone's reach, and works better on a rough-sea day than a calm one. The Ajo estuary, as the tide turns, offers great light for photography at first and last light. Check the swell forecast before going near the cliffs and stay on the marked paths. With children or on wet ground, the flatter stretches along the estuary are a safer bet.
Seasonal table: stews and seafood
In December, Cantabrian cooking turns to spoon dishes. Cocido montañés, beans and fishermen's stews are the natural choice on a rainy day, and seafood takes centre stage as Christmas approaches. Restaurants fill up at this time, especially for Saturday lunch and the holiday Monday, so booking a few days ahead is the simplest way to avoid surprises. If you prefer home cooking, the local produce shops in the area sell cheeses, sobaos and anchovies to take away.
What you need to know
Dates: Saturday 5, Sunday 6, Monday 7 and Tuesday 8 December 2026; the 7th and 8th are public holidays. Weather: around 7 ºC regional average, with frequent rain; bring a waterproof. Lights and markets: in 2025 the switch-ons were between 28 November and 5 December; the 2026 dates are still to be confirmed. Bookings: restaurants and accommodation fill up for Saturday and Monday lunches. Getting around: the Trasmiera coast is easy to get around by car; if you head back on Tuesday afternoon, expect a bit more traffic.
«December in Cantabria doesn't call for big plans, it calls for a slow pace: lights in the afternoon, sea in the morning and a good spoon dish at lunchtime.»
Spending the December long weekend near Bareyo means having the coast, the villages and the table right on your doorstep, without the summer rush. Villa Camino and Villa Monte, the two villas of Bareyo Residences, are a great base for those quiet days. And if you want to stretch the festive mood, take a look at our guide to Christmas in Cantabria, with markets, nativity scenes and plans for the big dates.
