Christmas in Barcelona? My home town is one of the most popular destinations in Europe for both Europeans and for the rest of the world. Even though this capital is well-known for its beaches, paellas (although this is a mistake you should avoid) and general vibe, some people do visit Barcelona during the holiday season. It is a completely different experience to what you may have during the summer but worth it all the way. Here, I have compiled for you a nice list of things to do in Barcelona during Christmas. Many of them for free!
Christmas in Barcelona
To start, before giving you a list of things to do in Barcelona during Christmas, I wanted to explain something. In Catalonia, or to be more precise, in Spain, we have long Christmas. The whole period starts December 24th and it ends January 6th. In any case though, the Christmas activities in town will be available from the 6-7th of December, a national holiday, until the day that we Spaniards get our presents, the 6th of January. Or what is the same, the three wise men day.
During this full month of Christmas, there are some permanent activities and some of them that only happen on specific days. I will try to list both of them so that, if you decide to visit on specific times, you can find the best options out there.
A bus tour to discover Barcelona’s Christmas lights
Even though Barcelona does not have as many night hours as other cities in Europe during Christmas, we still love our Christmas lights. The main streets in the city will be lighten up for about two months making the city a magical place to visit. While not all streets will have decorations, the main and most touristy ones will. And of course, because they are also some of the most expensive streets and these lights are paid by the shops, they will also be the most amazing ones.
If you want to visit them, one possibility is to just wander through the streets in the center of Barcelona. While this is a very nice way to just discover nice locations, this year, for the first time ever, the city hall has decided to set up a hop-on-off bus dedicated to Christmas lights. And this is one of the best things to do in Barcelona during Christmas as this bus will also go through Sagrada Familia, Colon, Arc de Triomf, Font magica… you get it, most of the important sights. Using this bus you can also see many of the most typical sights in the city. Under a different light. For Christmas.
Interested in how other countries celebrate Christmas and New Year’s Eve? Read more about it: New Years Eve around the world
This tour is only available at night and it costs, on 2019, 14€ for people above 14yo, 10€ for children between 4 and 10 years old and it is free for those younger than that. You can get your tickets online with a 10% discount at the official website. I think it is one of the nicest things to do in Barcelona during Christmas when you are looking for a quiet and relaxed afternoon.
Christmas markets in Barcelona
Even though we don’t have a real winter, meaning average temperatures in Barcelona during Christmas will be around 15ºC (59ºF), we still have our small Chrismtas markets. Unlike in other colder places such as Cologne, in the Christmas Markets in Barcelona you will not find glühwein or barbeque sausages. But we will have small potties with a marzipan poop. And logs with a face and a hat. Yes, we have interesting and weird traditions in Catalonia.
Every weekend there is a street market somewhere on the city. This will happen all throughout the year so I will not include them. What I will indeed introduce will be the three most important Christmas Markets in Barcelona: Sagrada Familia, Fira de Santa Llucia and Gran Via.
Sagrada familia
Next to this church, one of the most iconic places on the city, for the past 50+ years there has eben a Christmas market. This, along with the next one, is one of our most Christmasy. Here, you can find Christmas trees, decorations for your house and all Christmas themed you can think of. It opens the second week of December and closes Christmas Day.
Fira de Santa Llucia
Very similar to the previous one, this market is well in the center of the city. Less than 5 minutes away from Plaza Catalunya, this Christmas market is located in front of the Cathedral. There you will find dozens of out small Cagatiós (the logs with faces and hats), ornaments, and many many cagatiós (pooping guys figurines). Like the previous one, it closes December 24th.
Gran Via
For once not in front of a church. Next to Plaza España (Spain square), there is this small market. Even though it opens only during Christmas season, there you can find proper presents but not a lot of Christmas themed decorations. About two thirds of the market is directed to adults while there is a full section on children and toys. The tradition, and if you are a child, please stop reading, is to go watch the Kings parade, then bringing the children home with some hot chocolate and churros. Then go back home to this market, and get their presents while they sleep soundly after such a late evening feast.
Pesebre, Nativity scene or Christmas manger
Every year, our lovely major (bleeding sarcasm here) decides to put a Nativity scene in front of the city hall. And each year is weirder than the previous one. This year we have a set of wood boxes with different things inside that are meant to represent the Nativity Scene. Don’t ask anyone about it because you will either get a rant on how amazing it is or the waste of money that that was. I am in the latter group.
Gaudi and Christmas in Barcelona: Nit de Lluna (the moon’s night) at Casa Batlló
Another event that has been going on for the past few years is the Nit de Lluna. While Casa Batlló is one of the most visited buildings in town, during Christmas, it is possible to visit it in another light. These visits take place at night. The whole building is in the dark and you will be handed a head torch. With this, you will be taken into different rooms and areas that, with a game of shadows and light, will allow you to discover this beautiful piece of architecture with completely new eyes.
La Nit del Passeig de Gracia (AKA, Passeig de Gracia’s Night)
The most expensive street in Europe is also the street with more Michelin stars. And this is Passeig de Gracia. This street, houses some of the best hotels and restaurants in Barcelona and in Spain. For a few years now, to promote more people visiting and buying, they started opening shops at night once every few months. This 2019 though, they have decided to take it up a notch and along with the shops opening, there will be concerts, a gospel competition, decorations on the streets and… the unique opportunity of eating in some of the best restaurants in the city for 12€ (one dish and drink). I will not make it on time, but believe me when I tell you that I would not miss it. This will be happening Friday December 19th.
Things to do in Barcelona during Chrismas, healthy edition: Cursa dels nassos
Every year, the last day of the year we have a race. Depending on the city in Spain were you are it will be longer or shorter. And also the name may change. For example, in Madrid, this race will be called San Silvestre. Because we Catalans are a bunch of weirdos, for us this the Noses run, or as we call it: La cursa dels nassos.
If you tell yourself that you are a healthy person, this would be one of the best things to do in Barcelona during Christmas to say goodbye to the current year. This race, starts at 5.30pm every December 31st. While there’s nothing really weird about the race itself or where it goes through, there is something special about it: people run in costumes. Of course, like in any race, there will be lots of people focused on having a good time. Being the first ones. Then there’s the rest. You can see cows, Christmas trees and much more. I once saw someone dressed up as a nose. Yes.
You would ask yourself though, why, noses? Well, there is a famous tale around about the man of the noses. This guy says that he has as many noses as days left on the year. And that, for some reason, only shows up the December 31st every year. Hence the name!
Spending new years eve in Barcelona
If after running dressed up as (as a nose or not), you have not had enough, you can join many of the celebrations of the year. As I have mentioned in previous posts, we Spaniards mark the start of a new year by eating twelve grapes. Most of the time, with your family. Then, people would leave for a party here or there. If you want to join one of these big parties, I would recommend you to book in advance, though, people go insane this day.
If you are traveling. Or if you just prefer to step into the new year with other people, you can join our local celebration. Every year, right before 12pm, an artistic performance will start somewhere in the city to welcome the new year. In this occasion, it will be in Plaza Espanya. Then, we will have our grapes and following this, there will be some fireworks. The theater and dance companies they bring along are usually top notch and the entrance is free so… enjoy this if you can!
Saying goodbye to Christmas in Barcelona: The three wise men parade
The closure of Christmas in Barcelona is the Three Wise Men parade. They will arrive to the harbor, and then stroll around the city picking up children’s letters and making their dreams true. You can read a full post on this beautiful event here. And it is also for free. Don’t let the fact that it is aimed for children deter you. It is truly a beautiful parade.
Other things to do in Barcelona during Christmas
Do you know about other interesting things to do in Barcelona during Christmas? Are you planning on spending Christmas in Barcelona? Let me know in the comments and shoot me a question if you need any help planning! Thank you for reading and if you enjoyed it, share the love!
WOW! What a gorgeous city! I was wondering what the weather was like around that time and it’s the same where I live – around 59-65 degrees so we have a lot of outdoor markets and activities as well. Love the photos. It sure looks magical around that time of year. I just read someone had a tradition of stockings being filled on December 6 and saw that’s the start of your celebration. Is that St. Nick’s day? Love that they end with the 3 wise men parade. Such special memories are made I’m sure!
Well actually, in the North of Europe, for example in Belgium and in the Netherlands, St Nickolas comes and leaves sweets and presents for children the 6th. In Spain, we do not have any celebration for it, Christmas start then because there is an unrelated holiday (to celebrate our first constitution) covering the 6th anf the 8th of December, and so we start after that. And yes, there are very things more amazing than seeing children with real magic in their eyes.
Your photos are beautiful! Makes me want to hop on a plane and go right now. 🙂
Then do it! I promise you it is amazing! =)
I’ve always wanted to visit Barcelona but never considered Christmas time. Now I am. Great overview and ideas. Thanks for sharing!
My pleasure! It is one of the nicest times to visit the city. Even though you won’t be going to the beach, you can almost do everything else.
Barcelona looks so beautiful! The Christmas markets seem amazing! Definitely on my list of dream vacations!
Yes! we dont do GErmany style Christmas markets, but they are cool anyways!
I have heard so many incredible things about the Christmas Markets, but have never had an opportunity to visit them first hand. I am going to have to check them out some day! Thank you for sharing
Well Christmas markets are very different in BArcelona from others countries in Europe. We are cute but not as impressive as others are.
It would never really occur to me that Barcelona would have so may things to do, but thank you for explaining them so comprehensively! I can’t believe the holidays go on for as long as they do here…I feel like in the States, it’s like BOOM! One and done.
I’ll keep this post in mind for when I return to Spain!
Well, there are many things to do in Barcelona all the time, we have an amazing city! But yes, during Christmas there are many different activities and things to do that are tailored to more specific seasons. And it is lovely to actually have a few more days to enjoy Christmas. I have my christmas joy on for over a month! =)