December is the ideal time to gather with family and embrace the festive spirit of Christmas. Despite the chilly weather, Barcelona in Christmas exudes warmth and offers numerous activities perfect for cherishing moments with your dear ones.
Discover here how to celebrate Christmas in Barcelona.
1. Visit the Christmas Markets in Barcelona
Barcelona in Christmas holds Christmas markets in various parts of the city. These are known as Les Fires de Nadal (in Catalan).
Visiting these markets is a tradition that Barcelona families anticipate to enjoy Christmas shopping and entertain their children. Below, I have listed the most popular ones.
Additionally, other fairs are typically organized in charming locations, whether indoors in historic premises or palaces, or outdoors in squares or parks. In most cases, they are short-lived and held over a weekend.
Santa Llúcia Market
This is the oldest fair in the world revolving around Nativity scenes and Christmas decorations. It operates since 1786 and you will find it in front of the Cathedral. Around 200 stands sell gift items, clothes, handicrafts, jewelry, among many others.
Several illuminated Christmas trees add color to the surroundings. Typically, there’s a program featuring dance and puppet performances, along with a carousel that children eagerly await.
The fair typically opens one month before Christmas and closes on December 24th.
While you’re there, seize the opportunity to visit the Nativity scene installed at the nearby Plaza de Saint Jaume.
Address: Av. de la Catedral y Plaza Nova Opening hours: 10:00 to 21:00 | Free entrance From the last week of November to December 23 How to get there: Metro Jaume 1 (L4) and Liceu (L3)”
Christmas Market at the Sagrada Familia
The Sagrada Família Christmas Fair features over 150 shops selling a variety of items such as Christmas trees, decorations, gifts, crafts, clothes, jewelry, candies, and more.
The square of Sagrada Familia is full of lights, depicting scenes of the Three Wise Men as they arrive following a star.
Address: Plaza de la Sagrada Familia
Opening hours: 10:00 to 21:00 The entrance is free
From the last week of November to December 23
How to get there: Metro Sagrada Familia (L2 and L5) and Touristic Bus.
Fira dels Reis at the Gran Vía
Gran Via is one of the streets with the highest pedestrian traffic in Spain. The Fira dels Reis operates with over 100 sellers, located between Viladomat and Comte d’Urgell streets.
This historic fair opened for the first time in 1877 with fewer than 20 stands. During those days, it was exclusively dedicated to children, offering only sweets and toys.
The fair starts on Christmas and continues until January 5th, the eve of the Three Wise Men celebration. It is open from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM on weekdays and from 10:00 AM to midnight on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays.
Address: Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, between Calabria and Muntaner streets.
Port Vell Christmas Fair
This fair takes place in a maritime setting known as the Mall de la Fusta. Over 2000 years ago, this area served as the city’s original port.
Visitors find themselves surrounded by boats and the sea, creating a charming location for a Christmas fair with a distinctive ambiance. There are stands offering traditional winter foods, making it a delightful place to visit.
Usually, an ice rink, a Ferris wheel, and a carousel are also set up for the little ones in the family. Since the fair is on the dock, kids can also take the chance to learn rowing or docking.
2. Visit the Belenes in Barcelona
“Belén” is the Spanish term for Nativity scenes. These are typically on display in December in churches, museums, art spaces, and other locations.
This age-old custom originated in Italy and gained popularity due to the Franciscan movement. Saint Francis of Assisi was the first to set up a live Nativity scene in a forest in Greccio on Christmas in the year 1223.
In Barcelona as in other Spanish cities, it is a tradition during Christmas to follow a route of Belenes in different churches and locations.
The most popular are:
Plaza de Sant Jaume
One of the most famous Nativity scenes occupies every year a space in the Plaza de Sant Jaume near the Cathedral. The people of Barcelona eagerly anticipates it since it changes every year. Some times it is a traditional representation, while at other times, it breaks the rules, sparking controversy among the citizens.
It is typically installed on the same day that the city lights up all the Christmas lights, and the Fairs of The Holy Family and Santa Llúcia open to the public.
Museum Frederic Marés
Another popular Nativity scene is set at the Museum Frederic Marés, located at Plaza de Sant Lu in the Barrio Gótico. The museum presents a different scene each year.
Royal Monastery of Santa María de Pedralbes
The Royal Monastery of Santa María de Pedralbes is another popular place to visit every December. At this monastery, a Nativity scene is recreated with plaster figures in a rural Spanish environment. The address is Bajada del Monestir, 9.
Pueblo Español
Similar to Mallorca, Barcelona also hosts a Pueblo Español (Spanish Village) on Montjuic Mountain. This open-air museum showcases contemporary art, architecture, crafts, and gastronomy, replicating a typical Spanish town with 117 full-scale buildings, including streets, houses, squares, a theater, school, church, restaurants, and artisan workshops.
At this attraction, visitors can attend a representation of a Nativity scene with real people every year.
Pueblo Español can be reached by metro (L1, L3, and L8) or by train (R1, RG1, and S3).
Other Belenes
A classical Nativity scene can also be found in the Cathedral as well as in several other churches across the city.
The Santa Caterina Market, the oldest in the city, also presents a Nativity scene every December. It is situated in the Sant Pere neighborhood at Av. de Francesc Cambo, 16.
3. Go Ice Skating
Alike Valencia in Christmas, Barcelona also opens ice rinks for the holidays, which typically remain open until the beginning of the next year.
Ice Skating at L’illa Diagonal
L’illa Diagonal is a mall located at Avinguda Diagonal 557. It has a capacity for 100 people and usually opens from 11:00 to 21:00. The cost is around €5 for approximately 25 minutes of skating. As with most skating venues, this amount includes skate rental, but you must bring your own gloves.
Ice Skating at Westfield La Maquinista
Westfield La Maquinista is a huge shopping center that sets up an ice rink inside the famous Plaza del Reloj, in the San Andres de Palomar neighborhood. It opens from Monday to Friday from 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm.
Ice Skating at Nou Barris
Nou Barris offers an alternative away from the typical tourist paths. Situated in the Torre Llobeta neighborhood, inside Can Xiringoi Gardens, it costs around €6 for 20 minutes. It generally opens from 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
4. Take Part in the Nose Race
The Man of the Noses (Homes del Nassos, in Catalan) is a character from Spanish folklore who, according to legend, has as many noses as there are days in a year.
Legend has it that with each passing day, an additional nose grows. People can only see him on December 31st.
This figure has a double face: one face symbolizes an old man, signifying the ending year, while the other face represents a child, symbolizing the upcoming year.
The city holds an annual 10 km race in his honor on the last day of December. Typically starting around 4:00 pm at Plaça Ramon Calsina (Selva de Mar metro), the route goes through the Poble Nou neighborhood, reaches the Estació de França in Barceloneta, and returns to the square along the coast.
Participants often dress up in red noses, wigs, and other festive outfits. The participation fee is approximately €15. It’s advisable to purchase tickets in advance through the official website.
5. Visit PortAventura
PortAventura is a theme park located in Salou, 69 miles (110 km) southwest of Barcelona. Every year, from mid-November until early January, it transforms into a vast Christmas village.
A visit to this park is especially ideal if you’re traveling with kids. The dance and acrobatics shows are incredibly entertaining, and children have the opportunity to meet Santa Claus.
Getting there by train from Barcelona is easy. Take the RT2 line to the Salou-Port Aventura Station, which is just a 10-minute walk from the entrance. By car it takes about 1h20min through C-32 and AP-7 roads.
6. Discover Mura
Mura is a medieval village with a population of fewer than 300 people, considered one of the most charming places in Barcelona. Situated 1 hour and 10 minutes by car northwest of the city, it offers a unique experience.
Strolling through the streets of its oldest area, the Old Town, feels like a journey back in time. Nestled on the edge of a narrow valley, this place resembles a stone-crafted gem. Arches, quaint squares, stone houses, and delightful balconies adorned with flowers are sure to captivate you. Additionally, there is a Romanesque church and the remnants of a castle to explore.
Throughout the month of December, the people of Barcelona celebrate a folkloric festival called the Festa del Tió. The Tió is a Christmas wooden trunk adorned with a face and a red cap.
During these weeks, many trunks are hidden in the streets of Mura. On weekends, treasure hunts are organized to find all the hidden trunks in town. Even if you choose not to participate in the hunt, this tradition provides the perfect opportunity to explore and discover the charms of this ancient town.
7. Visit the Käthe Wohlfahrt Shop
Käthe Wohlfahrt is a German company based in Rothenburg specializing in Christmas items. With branches in various European countries, it has established its presence in Spain, specifically in the Barrio Gótico of Barcelona.
The shop offers an array of figures, trees, toys, decorations, and other Christmas-themed items. Each item available at Käthe Wohlfahrt is handcrafted and exquisitely made, making it an ideal Christmas gift for yourself or others.
Visiting the store in December provides you with the opportunity to experience the recreation of a typical Bavarian town in winter.
Hence, as the chill of winter sets in and the holiday spirit fills the air, Käthe Wohlfahrt emerges as a highly frequented and widely shared destination on social media platforms in Barcelona year after year.
Address: Banys Nous St., 15
8. Enjoy the typical Christmas dishes and desserts
Like many other cities around the world, Barcelona boasts its own typical Christmas dishes. The festivities commence on the night of the 24th with a celebratory dinner, continue on the 25th for Christmas Day, and extend into the 26th, which is also a regional holiday, known as San Esteban.
One of the most traditional dishes is the Sopa de Galets. This soup is crafted from vegetables, legumes, chicken, meats, potatoes, and assorted ingredients. Separately, large snail-shaped pasta pieces called galets are cooked. They are added to the soup along with meatballs made from minced meat, egg, and breadcrumbs once the soup is ready.
Another popular Christmas dish is Canelones, traditionally served in family dinners on the 26th.
The quintessential Christmas sweet is Turrón, the Spanish name for nougat. Its base consists of toasted almonds, honey, eggs, and sugars. Over time, it has evolved to include other flavors such as marzipan, chocolate, coconut, and many more.
In Barcelona, a particular type of nougat known as Turron de Agramunt reigns as the most popular. Crafted with the same recipe since the 18th century, this sweet treat is a staple in every home in Barcelona.
On January 6th, the day of the Three Wise Men, every Barcelona household will have a Tortell de Reis. This spongy, round brioche is made from robust flour, yeast, sugar, milk, butter, eggs, orange blossom water, grated lemon and orange peel, with marzipan inside.
Other traditional Christmas sweets include Neules or wafers. Originating from the 10th century and first crafted by nuns, Neules are crunchy and cylindrical. Traditionally served with ice cream or a type of mousse, they can now also be filled with chocolate, vanilla cream, or fruit.
