Cradled in the heart of Spain, Barcelona is a beautiful city packed with beach parties, festivals, and nightlife. These are all gems that you can enjoy in the summer season. If you plan to spend Christmas in Barcelona, you might wonder what exactly is on offer for tourists during the winter? Well, to make it easy for you, there are plenty of things that you can do during that time to get you in the Christmas mood. There are plenty of things to do, from parades to shopping to seeing the beautiful lights.
Celebrate Christmas In Barcelona
If you are visiting Barcelona over Christmas, here are the top 10 things that you should do to experience Barcelona during this time of the year:
1. Attend Christmas At Placa De Catalunya
This is a great way to spend Christmas in Barcelona 2023 because the plaza has plenty of different activities and many things to buy here. People usually come here for the Christmas fair. You can enjoy music, food, and games and also find some great handmade items. There is also a Santa Claus Christmas parade here, and you can watch the parade or stroll down the plaza and enjoy the Christmas trees and lights all around.
Location: The center of Barcelona, between the Ciutat Vella and Eixample districts
Highlights: Watch parade and explore the plaza
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2. Observe The El Pessebre de Nadal At Placa Sant Jaume
In most places, people choose Christmas trees and go all out to get their cribs. It is even rarer for people to build their cribs. However, almost everyone in Barcelona enjoys making their cribs from scratch. You can observe one that is there for public viewing in the Sant Jaume Plaza. It has many different elements inspired by Roman times. This is a great way to be a part of the Christmas traditions in Barcelona.
Location: At the intersection of the Roman roads, the cardo and the decumaus
Highlights: Enjoys making their cribs from scratch
3. Spend The Day At The PortAventura Theme Park
Since the weather on Christmas in Barcelona, Spain is usually pleasant during the day, this would be an ideal place to spend the day. After mid-November, PortAventura becomes a Christmas wonderland. Aside from popular resorts, there are plenty of traditional decorations, and even a Christmas program takes place here, along with different activities. There is an ice show where you can enjoy different ice sculptures, a Christmas festival, and a parade. You can also enjoy delicious Christmas food while watching a show or concert.
Location: Av. Pere Molas, Tarragona, Spain
Highlight: Enjoy an ice show where you can witness different ice sculptures
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4. Amuse Yourself With The Tio de Nadal
The Tio de Nadal is called the pooping Christmas log, and it is a very popular tradition in Barcelona! Although it is strange compared to gifts under the Christmas tree, it is very common because every household keeps this log at home, feeds it, keeps it warm, and eventually beats it with a stick for presents. If you want to participate, visit Placa Nova near Santa Lucia Market, where you will see a giant Tio de Nadal. People from different places come here to sing to the log, beat it, and poke it until it defecates presents. Also, enjoy the pleasant weather in Barcelona at Christmas.
Location: New Square in Barcelona
Highlights: Witness a giant Tio de Nadal
5. Go Shopping or Just Look Around At Fira de Santa Llucia
Fira de Santa Llucia is the most significant and oldest marketplace in Barcelona. Craft fairs tend to be held at this time of the year. They sell a lot of different decorations and small figures that can be used in cribs. Aside from this, there is also a Christmas fair where winter dances are followed by a parade where they throw sweets as they make their way to Placa Nova. A puppet performance and Christmas carols are sung, and after that, the parade goes to see the giant Tio at Pla de la Cathedral.
Location: In front of the Cathedral of Barcelona in the Gothic quarter
Highlights: Witness a Christmas fair where winter dances are followed by a parade
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6. Go Or Midnight Mass On Christmas Eve
You can attend mass at practically any church, but the best one to visit would be the Santa Maria del Mar, which is a marvellous Catalan Gothic Basilica. If you stay till midnight, you can hear the singing of El cant de la Sibila, the sacred music or a chant of the medieval Catalunya( community in Spain). Once you are done with this, you should head outside and take a walk around Santa Maria Plaza, look at the food market, and maybe even indulge in some of the delicacies. This is a great way to spend Christmas Eve in Barcelona.
Location: Catalan Gothic Basilica, Barcelona
Highlights: Hear the singing of El cant de la Sibila, the sacred music
7. Enjoy A Meal At Flaherty’s Irish Pub
Although there might be plenty of places where you can get some great food, if you are looking for a traditional turkey lunch in a cosy environment, you should visit Flaherty’s. This is a trendy place with tourists because they drop in for a few beers and some delicious food after a tiring day of exploring. You can enjoy a four-course meal here with the traditional turkey breast, a few starters, a free drink, and Christmas pudding and Christmas events Barcelona. Kick back and relax here with some live music or sing along with them. This is a great way to spend Christmas day in Barcelona.
Location: Plaça de Joaquim Xirau, s/n, Ciutat Vella, 08002 Barcelona, Spain
Highlights: Enjoy refreshing drinks and meals
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8. Check Out The Christmas Lights And Trees
The Christmas lights are called Els Llums de Nadal. If you are thinking what to do in Barcelona on Christmas day then it is one of the best places to be at. These lights in Barcelona are turned on the 24th of November and stay on until the 6th of January. There are so many different places that you can visit and many streets to stroll down. Be sure to visit the Montjuic Magic Fountain, it is a beautiful place to see all the Christmas lights. There is even a free water and music show that happens between 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. You can find a massive Christmas tree on Portal de Angel Street and Placa de Sant Jaume, where the Christmas festival occurs.
Location: Local Christmas Markets in Barcelona
Highlights: Amaze at dazzling atmosphere of markets
9. Check Out Circ Raluy
You can find this circus at Port Vell Marina. They bring a new show every year and only appear after mid-December. It is a historic travelling circus and a travelling museum in caravans. There is also a hotel in one of the caravans where you can experience a life with all the elements from 1939. It is one of the best things to do at Christmas in Barcelona traditions.
Location: Rambla de Sant Nebridi, 2, bajos 2ª, 08222 Terrassa, Barcelona, Spain
Highlights: Bask in travelling museum and circus
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10. Go Ice Skating At The Ice Rink
The largest outdoor ice skating rink is at Placa de Catalunya. If you are spending Christmas in Barcelona, Spain, and want to have fun, just check out the plaza, hire a pair of skates, and go skating!
Location: FC Barcelona Ice Rink, Barcelona
Highlights: Enjoy ice skating, as well as explore various shopping malls and city squares.
Christmas Markets In Barcelona
Image Credit: Enfo for Wikimedia Commons
Spain is ready to amuse locals and tourists with its wonderful Christmas decorations, which can be seen at street markets and pop-up markets. Creating an amazing festive atmosphere, christmas markets Barcelona have started to celebrate the arrival of Christmas. Witness the sparkling glory of Barcelona, as well as indulge in a delightful shopping of Christmas decoration items and toys. Some of the famous Christmas markets in Barcelona are as follows:
1. Fira de Santa Llúcia
2. Fira de Nadal de La Sagrada Familia
3. Fira del Port Vell
4. Poble Espanyol
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If this has got you interested in spending your Christmas in Barcelona, let us help you book your trip to Barcelona so that you get a chance to experience all that Barcelona has to offer during Christmas.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Christmas In Barcelona
How is Christmas celebrated in Barcelona?
Barcelona celebrates Christmas with a number of customs, such as parades, markets, and trips to outdoor museums.
Does Barcelona get snow?
It is quite rare to have snowfall in Barcelona. Although during the snowfall, the glory of the city is amusing and offer a great retreat for the eyes and senses of visitors.
What are some amazing places to visit in Barcelona?
Barcelona is packed with tourist attractions that amuse the eyes and senses of visitors. These are Park Guell, La Sagarada Familia, Casa Batllo, Picasso Museum and MACBA.
What are the top things to do in Barcelona at Christmas?
Here are the top things to do in Barcelona at Christmas:
1.Enjoy street Christmas lights
2.Exploring Christmas markets in Barcelona
3. Attending Christmas events
4. Delight Christmas dinner
5.Enjoy a Flamenco show
How cold is Barcelona at Christmas?
The temperature of Barcelona ranges from 8 degrees Celsius to 15 degrees Celsius at the time of Christmas.
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