Merry Christmas, or Bon Nadal, as they say in Barcelona. 

Christmas lights are twinkling all across Barcelona bringing festive spirit to the streets until January 6th, which is when Reyes (Three Kings’ Day) brings the festivities to an end. The city feels even more special at this time of year with a host of events and activities that also light up its social scene. Here’s our pick of seasonal highlights.

Let there be light

Christmas in Barcelona is celebrated with stunning lights illuminating most main streets, and beautifully decorated fir trees in public squares. This year’s 15-metre tree at Plaza de Sant Jaume is accompanied by a spectacular giant 20-point star (pictured above) that lights up every night and offers an interactive audio-visual show for passers-by. To see the full glory of Barcelona’s Christmas lights at night, hop on the city’s tourist bus, which takes you on a journey around the city’s light shows. 

Setting the Scene

Pessebres, or Nativity scenes, are one of the most significant Christmas traditions in Barcelona and date back 800 years. Elaborate designs, like mini-stage sets, tell the story of the Nativity and appear in most neighbourhoods and churches. As well as the usual biblical scenes and characters, ones specific to Spain, like El Caganer (a quirky pooping shepherd) and Tió de Nadal (a hollow log with legs and a face) are often included. One of the most eye-catching nativities this year is in Pati de Carruatges, at the City Hall, where the Barcelona Association of Nativity Scene Builders has created a scene celebrating the city’s maritime connections (pictured above). The nearby Palau de la Generalitat will also showcase another large-scale nativity by the Association of Nativity Scene Makers. 

Festive Fare

Traditional Christmas markets can be found citywide and are a great place to stock up on imaginative crafts and gifts, artisan foods, tree ornaments and nativity figures. The city’s main Christmas fair, Fira de Santa Llúcia, which first started in 1786, is on Avinguda de la Catedral, the large square in front of the city’s Gothic Cathedral. Other markets worth visiting are at the Sagrada Familia, with over 100 stalls, and Port Vell for the annual ‘Nadal al Port’ with a fun-packed Christmas fair, market and ice rink, ferris wheel and a floating nativity scene.

Showtime!

Barcelona’s rich cultural heritage is on display in December with live music and theatre on show at different venues and public spaces around the city. One of the most impressive is the Festival de Plaça Catalunya. An eleven-day feast of arts and entertainment that includes music, theatre, dance and street circus performed by a brilliant line up of local, national and international acts. Shows take place throughout the day from 20 to 30 December.

On Parade

Celebrate the start of Christmas with the Cavalcada del Pare Noel a Sants on the evening of 17 December. Starting from Carrer de Sants in Sants-Montjuic to Avenida Madrid, participants dressed in festive costume, including pupils of local dance schools, take part in the parade accompanied by decorated floats, marching bands and, of course, Santa Claus himself. 

Then, wish Christmas farewell and welcome in the New Year with a big parade on January 5th that goes halfway across the city on the eve of Three Kings day. A new year tradition, the event marks the visit of the three wise men to dish out sweets and gifts to children, who curiously love the event. This year the costumed three wise men will arrive by boat into Port Vell, to be greeted by the city mayor. The parade will start from Avenida Marquès de l’Argentera and pass through the city centre with the kings throwing sweets to children until it reaches the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc. 

Take a Dip

Want to work off the overindulgence of all that festive food and drink, try joining the brave swimmers who take to the sea at Port Vell on Christmas morning for the annual Barcelona Swimming Club’s Christmas Cup. The race has become a seasonal tradition, with many locals taking the challenge of swimming the 200-metre course, from the old harbour. 

Welcome the New Year

Barcelona knows how to party and the biggest fiesta of all is New Year’s Eve. Join the crowds at the Magic Fountain in Montjuic and buzzing Plaça Espanya in time for midnight and a world-class firework display. Don’t forget to take part in the eating of the 12 grapes –one for each chime of the clock at midnight. Tradition states, if you successfully eat all 12 in time, you’ll have a great year. Then continue the party at one of the city’s many bars, clubs and restaurants.

Antares Barcelona