Christmas markets have a long tradition in Barcelona. These markets were born to sell animals and typical food products for December’s meals and celebrations, but currently in Barcelona the most traditional markets sell Christmas trees and cribs, clothes and all kinds of gift items.
Barcelona, as one of the most popular destinations in Spain, has some of the best Christmas markets. Don’t miss them!
Port Vell Christmas Fair
This market will be set up for the first time in Barcelona’s Port Vell, located very close to Hotel Arc La Rambla and occupies an area of 5,000 m2. You will be able to enjoy stalls selling gastronomic products, gifts and crafts.
In addition, this space will have the largest Christmas tree in Catalonia (31 meters high) made with LED technology. There will also be a classic carousel, a Ferris wheel and a floating nativity scene from which a show of light and music will take place every December night.
The Port Vell Christmas Market is open from 5 December to 5 January.
Santa Llúcia Fair
Santa Llúcia Fair is located in the Cathedral Square and is the oldest market in Catalonia, as its origin dates back to 1786. It offers 300 stalls where you can see figures for the crib, trees, Christmas decorations, moss, crafts and traditional items from Catalonia such as caganers and the Tió. You can also buy toys, handicrafts or clothes.
This fair opens on December 5th and offers different activities until December 23rd. One of the most outstanding is a giant Tió, a natural tree trunk with a face drawn by hand and covered with a blanket. According to Catalan tradition, children must hit him with a stick to ” poop ” the gifts.
It is a unique market that maintains the decoration of traditional Christmas markets.
Sagrada Familia Christmas Fair
This Christmas fair has been celebrated since 1960 with a hundred stands in front of the Sagrada Familia. It is highly recommended to take a walk around its stands, where they sell decorative Christmas objects, handcrafted figures for the crib, traditional Catalan food products such as sweet potato and chestnuts, and all kinds of gift items.
The Sagrada Familia Christmas Fair can be visited from 5 to 23 December.
Three Kings Fair in Gran Via
This market is held in Gran Vía de Les Corts Catalanes with 250 stands from different fields. There are stands with articles of Catalan craftsmanship; fifty toy stalls; churrerías and 140 traditional products of all kinds (clothes, jewellery, complements, scarves, decorative products, etc).
This fair opens on 19 December and closes on 6 January.
These are the largest markets in Barcelona, but each district of the city has its own Christmas market or fair. If you plan to visit Barcelona at this time of the year, the reception staff at the Hotel Arc La Rambla will provide you with more information on the many fun and traditional events taking place in December and January.
