With Christmas approaching, it is a busy time of year and finding the best plans can be a hard task, and even more, if you are in Barcelona and it is the first time you visit this city for Christmas with your family!
For this reason we have given you a plan for the best things you and your family can do to get into the Christmas spirit during your stay in Barcelona. Giving you something to occupy the kids with, by doing something the parents can enjoy, will give you the chance to spend some quality family time in Barcelona.
Christmas Shopping
For an unforgettable Christmas shopping experience near Barcelona, head to La Roca Village, a charming outlet shopping destination offering excellent discounts on luxury and designer brands. It’s the perfect place to pick up unique gifts for your loved ones while enjoying festive decorations and a magical holiday atmosphere. Back in the city, don’t miss El Corte Inglés, a one-stop shop for all your Christmas needs, from elegant fashion to seasonal treats. For those looking for traditional holiday decorations, visit Kathe Wohlfahrt, a delightful store specialising in handcrafted ornaments, nutcrackers, and timeless Christmas decor that will add a touch of festive magic to your home.
Barcelona’s Christmas lights
Throughout Christmas in Barcelona, the streets glisten with the Christmas lights that can be found everywhere in the city. With the lights becoming more popular year on year, their quality and quantity grow, meaning that they get better every time. There is nothing quite like seeing a city illuminated every night to get you and your family in that Christmas spirit.
Christmas Markets in Barcelona: Fira de Santa Llúcia
Take your family to the 238th edition of the Fira de Santa Llúcia Christmas markets in Barcelona! These are an iconic piece of Barcelona at Christmas and bring in people by their hundreds of thousands every year. Situated in front of La Sagrada Familia and the Barcelona Cathedral, the street is taken over by stalls that sell traditional Christmas gifts, ideal to do some Christmas shopping. Here you will be able to find some traditional Catalan treats like Turrón, an almond and nougat sweet that is very common in Barcelona during Christmas.
As well as this, there are other traditional gifts on offer, such as the comical Caganers. These unique figurines are a beloved part of Catalonia’s Christmas traditions, often depicting famous people, politicians, or cultural icons with their pants down, humorously “fertilizing the ground” as a symbol of good luck and prosperity. Dating back to the 1800s. Alongside these whimsical figurines, you’ll find other traditional Catalan holiday items, such as Tiós de Nadal, the Christmas log that children feed and then beat on Christmas Eve to reveal small gifts and sweets. These charming traditions make Christmas shopping in Barcelona a truly unique cultural experience!
The Fira de Santa Llúcia gives you a traditional way to enjoy Christmas in Barcelona with family. Running from 29th November-23rd December from 10am- 9pm, you have plenty of opportunities to enjoy this winter wonderland! Also, keep an eye out for the Christmas Log or “Tío de Nadal” who, according to tradition, is responsible for bringing the presents to kids at Christmas and releases them by making a fire from his wood on Christmas Eve.
Ice Skating in Barcelona
Nothing really says Christmas season quite like ice-skating, especially in Barcelona! Despite rarely snowing here, the locals still love to get their skates on and enjoy skating around a rink in the weeks leading up to Christmas. Experience the joy of skating at Barcelona’s ice rinks, nestled in scenic locations like Tibidabo, Port Vell, and El Corte Inglés at Diagonal.
Don’t just take our word for it, get down there with your family and make some memories together, this Christmas in Barcelona.
Discover the Nativity Scene Pessebre
Lastly, yet another family pastime that you can enjoy this Christmas in Barcelona is the Nativity scene that can be found inside the City Council. This is as much as a traditional Catalan way to celebrate Christmas as Christmas Day itself! This family friendly environment lets you and the family admire the work done to make the Nativity scene, which changes every year. Even though there are Nativity scenes throughout the city, none of them attract the number of visitors that the Pessebre does.
If you and your family like seeing the Nativity scene, then you should get yourselves down to midnight mass that takes place at Santa María del Mar on Christmas Eve every year. Making a perfect way to enter Christmas 2024 with your family in Barcelona.
Visit Els Llums de Sant Pau
The Sant Pau Art Nouveau site has undergone a festive makeover and has turned into an enchanting Christmas wonderland. Visitors can expect a mesmerising landscape adorned with an array of incredible Christmas lights, illuminating the historic setting with festive joy. Furthermore, this year’s Els Llums de Sant Pau features a new exciting addition… the Sant Pau Nouveau Ice Rink, where you can have a memorable ice skating experience surrounded by modernist architecture and beautiful lights!
This immersive experience is tailored for families, promising a delightful outing that captivates both the young and old, and encourages everyone to embrace the magic of Christmas together.
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