The official Christmas lighting in Barcelona was inaugurated on November 28 with a symbolic event presided over by Mayor Jaume Collboni at Passeig de Gràcia. The city is now illuminated with festive lights, creating an atmosphere filled with magic and illusion that delight both children and adults.
Barcelona is preparing to celebrate an inclusive, diverse, and supportive Christmas, featuring the return of the Spirit of Christmas and events like the fourth edition of Els Llums de Sant Pau. The city will exceed 110 kilometers of Christmas lighting this year, with the first lights being turned on at the Recinto Modernista de Sant Pau, allowing residents and tourists to enjoy the festive displays.
Among the most anticipated traditions of the Christmas season in Barcelona are the Christmas markets. The Fira de Santa Llúcia, celebrating its 238th edition this year, opened its doors on November 24 and will close on December 23, filling the Avenida de la Catedral with Christmas spirit and marking the beginning of many traditions in the city. Located in front of the majestic Cathedral of Barcelona in the Gothic Quarter, the fair features over a hundred stalls dedicated to crafts and gift items, including textile accessories, ceramics, jewelry, and a wide selection of figures for the nativity scene, such as the traditional “caganer”.
The Sagrada Familia Christmas Market, known as the Fira de Nadal de la Sagrada Família, also adds to the festive atmosphere. This market is located in the Eixample neighborhood in front of the famous basilica designed by Antoni Gaudí. It offers visitors the option to buy Christmas trees, nativity figures, nougat, artisan food, gifts, and more, alongside concerts and gastronomic proposals. The market runs from November 29 to December 23, with opening hours from 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM, extending to 10:00 PM on Saturdays and the eve of holidays.
In addition to the markets, Barcelona offers multiple activities and proposals for all types of audiences, including fairs, the traditional nativity scene, guided visits, and ice rinks. This year’s nativity scene commemorates the centenary of Joan Salvat-Papasseit and pays tribute to him and the sea, which is this year’s protagonist due to the America’s Cup. A giant 20-pointed luminous star named “Origen”, inspired by the moment of the “creation of the universe”, will adorn Plaça Sant Jaume this year, replacing the traditional nativity scene.
Cultural events are also a significant part of the celebrations. The Barcelona Festival de Nadal will offer more than 25 free shows of theater, circus, dance, and music, catering to a variety of cultural tastes and budgets. From December 20 to 30, Plaça de Catalunya will become the center of performing arts with this festival, featuring seventeen performing arts companies and eight music groups. Mornings at the festival will feature small-format shows, afternoons will be dedicated to dance and street circus, and evenings will include concerts of varied music genres, from groove to folk.
“Sons de Ciutat” will bring music to the markets and commercial axes of the 10 districts during the Christmas holidays. From December 7 to January 3, this initiative will feature more than 80 concerts by local formations, representing the artistic richness of Barcelona, with a wide variety of genres including jazz, indie, classical, folk, pop, funk, soul, rumba, opera, and electronic music.
The New Year’s Eve show in Montjuïc will be one of the major proposals of the season. The show will feature a spectacular fusion of music and pyrotechnics, celebrating love and coexistence. More than 500 drones will illuminate the sky during the event, creating a memorable experience for attendees.
Another highlight is the “Sant Jordi de Nadal”, an event that combines two great traditions of Barcelona: Sant Jordi and Christmas. The Antigua Fábrica de Estrella Damm will host this event, which offers a great opportunity to enjoy books and meet authors, illustrators, and translators. Authors attending include Ramon Gener, Joan Dausà, Martí Gironell, Xantal Llavina, Màrius Serra, Elisenda Pineda, Laia Vilaseca, Tània Juste, Oriol Canals, and Jordi Puntí. Attendees will be able to participate in workshops or round tables with writers, as well as book presentations and interaction with authors.
The “Poblenou Open Night” supports various artistic disciplines including art, design, music, interior design, sculpture, audiovisuals, photography, floral art, jewelry, gastronomy, and illustration. The event will feature local and international artists. This initiative also organizes special solidarity activities to raise funds for municipalities affected by the DANA in the Community of Valencia.
Barcelona’s Christmas celebrations include traditional activities as well. The Three Wise Men from the East will return to Barcelona on January 5, making a triumphant entrance through the Portal de la Pau, with the Cabalgata (parade) taking place at 6:00 PM. Additionally, the Toy Factory of the Kings will open in Sant Andreu on December 27, where families will be able to see how the Kings’ gifts are created.
The city’s markets and commercial areas are also adorned with festive decorations. The facades of the 39 municipal markets will be illuminated with special activities, and over 20 light installations will create an interactive and participatory route at Els Llums de Sant Pau. The city council has allocated 3.3 million euros for the Christmas lighting, enhancing the festive spirit throughout Barcelona.
This Christmas, Barcelona debuts a new ice rink, initiated by El Corte Inglés, in front of its headquarters at Reina Maria Cristina, at the top of Diagonal. Visitors will be able to skate on the synthetic ice rink until January 12. The Tibidabo Amusement Park will also have a sustainable ice rink until January 5, located in Plaça dels Somnis.
Barcelona’s rich cultural heritage is reflected in its proverbs and traditions. The Catalan proverb “per Nadal, cada ovella al seu corral” (translated as “for Christmas, each sheep in its pen”) embodies an ancestral tradition linked to returning home, both in its literal and symbolic sense. The proverb emphasizes the importance of family during the festivities, reflecting the cultural richness of a region that values social cohesion and respect for tradition.
From festive markets filled with crafts and gastronomic delights to cultural events showcasing music, theater, and art, the city offers a magical time when the streets are illuminated with thousands of lights, filled with music, and breathe a unique festive atmosphere.
