The spectacular Christmas lights and the traditional markets will flood during this dates the streets of Barcelona with magic and dreams
Barcelona celebrates Christmas at its best. The city will get a festive makeover with the spectacular Christmas lights that will flood the streets with color and magic. Last November 24th Barcelona switched on the Christmas lights in a traditional event that lighted up nearly 100 kilometers of lights that decorate the city. It marked the beginning of the Christmas celebrations.
This year, the Christmas lights in Las Ramblas are designed by Claret Serrahima, and they symbolize Barcelona and the old bird stands that once were on Las Ramblas. Here we leave you a beautiful picture, but we think that the better is to come to the Hotel Arc La Rambla and enjoy them through a pleasant walk or from one of the privileged balconies of the hotel.
If there is something that adds a special charm to Christmas in Barcelona are the Christmas markets. We present to you the most important ones so you don’t miss anything.
Fira de Santa Llúcia
The oldest and most emblematic Christmas market of the city is Santa Llúcia, which has been held since 1786 on Avenida de la Catedral (in front of the beautiful gothic Cathedral of Barcelona).
With almost 300 Christmas stands you can find from Christmas Trees and plants to zambombas (a kind of rustic drum), handicrafts, Christmas decoration figures and the traditional caganers.
In addition, there are also cultural activities, children’s workshops and an exhibition of Christmas Mangers.
From the 25th of November to the 23rd of December
Hours: 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on weekdays and 10:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on the weekend.
Feria de Navidad de la Sagrada Familia
The Sagrada Familia Christmas Fair will turn the surroundings of the iconic Gaudí’s building into the most beautiful Christmas postcard.
The market was born in the 70’s as an extension of the Fira de Santa Llúcia, but over the years gained importance and became one of the main Christmas markets of the city.
Currently, it has about 100 Christmas stands where you can find the perfect ornaments: caganers, zambombas, boughs of holly, puppets and mangers, which draw inspiration from the facade of the Birth of la Sagrada Familia, where is represented the birth of Jesus and the adoration of the Three Wise Men.
Apart from the Christmas decoration, the market has a space dedicated to the food stands where you can taste sweet potatoes, chestnuts, nougat and churros with the facade of the Sagrada Familia as a spectacular backdrop.
From the 26th of November to the 23rd of December
Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Friday, Saturday and vigil from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
La Feria de Reyes de Santo Tomás
The street of Gran Vía de les Corts Catalanes, between the streets of Muntaner and Calabria, hosts 300 Christmas stands where the main protagonists are the toys. You can also find handicrafts, jewelry, ceramics, clothing and many gift ítems.
You can also drive away the cold with the hypnotic aroma and flavor of the traditional “churros with chocolate” and taste them while you enjoy the magnificent Christmas atmosphere that reigns in the market.
As is tradition for more than a century, La Feria de Reyes de Santo Tomás is responsible of assisting the Three Wise Men with the preparation of the Christmas gifts.
And for this purpose, from the 27th of December to the 4th of January, the royal postman will collect letters for His Majesty’s the Three Wise Men from 12.00 to 14.00 and from 17.00 to 20.00. Likewise, if you wish you can contribute by bringing new toys to the solidarity stands that collaborate with those most in need.
From the 21st of December to the 6th of January
Hours: 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. every day except January 5th. On January 5, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
El Pesebre de la Plaça de Sant Jaume
Plaça de Sant Jaume (which houses the Barcelona City Council and the Government of Catalonia) houses a giant manger that this year marks the 30th anniversary of the death of the poet Josep Vicent Foix.
The manger has nine transparent spheres shaped like snowballs whose decoration evokes fragments of the poem ‘Ho sap tothom i és profecia’, in which the Catalan poet refers to different Christmas scenes.
It can be visited until Sunday, January the 8th from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
The rest of the city’s markets also join the celebration of Christmas by organizing all kinds of solidarity, gastronomic, recreational and cultural activities for all audiences. Do not hesitate to visit them and tell us your experience!
