Barcelona is preparing for Christmas: calendar of events
In the run-up to Christmas and New Year’s Eve, Barcelona has many exciting events planned. Don’t miss the opportunity to buy gifts at the Christmas fairs, see a unique live creche or take part in the grand parade of the Three Kings.
Design Market Barcelona
The Design Market returns to Barcelona for the 12th time. From December 13 to 15, famous designers and popular brands will present their new works in the Fira de Barcelona — Parc de Montjuïc. Anything from furniture and lighting to jewelry, designer clothes and exclusive works of art will be available for purchase.
Fira de Reis
The traditional Fair of the Three Magi will reopen in Barcelona on December 14. As usual, stalls with goods will line the Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes avenue, between Muntaner and Rocafort streets. This is one of the best places to buy gifts, as the stalls offer toys, sweets, crafts, jewelry, accessories and decorations. If you want to give something original that you can’t find in regular shopping centers, this is the place to go. Fira de Reis will be open until January 6.
Read also: Christmas in Catalonia and Barcelona — festive traditions and events
Barcelona Festival de Navidad
From December 20 to 30, Plaza Catalunya will be the epicenter of Christmas celebrations in Barcelona. The program of the Christmas Festival includes 25 performances combining music, theater, circus and dance. During the day everyone will be able to attend performances by circus performers and dancers, and in the evening there will be concerts with famous artists. For a daily schedule of events and to register for free admission, visit barcelona.cat.
Cuento de Navidad de Charles Dickens
Admirers of Charles Dickens’ work will enjoy his famous “A Christmas Carol” performed by the children’s choir Amics de la Unió together with the Gran Teatre del Liceu Symphony Orchestra. One of the writer’s most popular works tells the story of the life of Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserly old man who loves nothing but money. On a festive night he is visited by the spirits of Christmas, who show him his past, present and future, helping him to rethink his outlook on life. The concerts will take place on December 21 and 22 at the Gran Teatre del Liceu.
Fia-Faia
On December 24, the towns of Baga and San Julia de Cerdanyola (Catalonia) will host the traditional Christmas festival Fia-Faia, declared a cultural heritage of national importance. According to tradition, at dusk a bonfire is lit in the mountains, where you can see the sunset. From it they light huge torches (faies), which are carried to the central square of the city by porters (fallaires). When the torches are almost burned out, from their remains make a fire, through which young people jump with songs.
Earlier we wrote: Ski resorts in Spain are starting a new season
Copa Navidad de Natación
Since 1907 on Christmas Day (December 25) Club Natació Barcelona organizes swimming competitions, which are recognized as the oldest in Spain. Participants must race 200 meters in the open air in Puerto Viejo de Barcelona. The competition takes place in all weathers and some swimmers wear Christmas costumes. Participation in the Copa Navidad de Natación is free — everyone can register, regardless of age.
Live Christmas creches in Món Sant Benet (Pesebre Vivente de Món Sant Benet)
Pesebre Vivente («Living creche») is one of the oldest Christmas traditions in Catalonia. The theatricalized show takes place in a medieval monastery and features over a hundred actors dressed in period costumes. The classical scenes are complemented by modern audiovisual effects, such as video projections on the church facade. You can see the performances on December 26, 28, 29 and January 1.
Festival de la infancia
From December 27 to 30, the Montjuïc-Fira area in Barcelona will become a paradise for children. The Children’s Festival will take place here, with a program of entertainment, sports and cultural events for children up to 12 years old. These include musical performances, magic shows, plays, wind tunnel rides, vintage cars, games, master classes and much more. Tickets starting at €8.5 can be purchased at festivalinfancia.com.
Christmas workshops at the Sagrada Familia
From November 30 to December 31, the Sagrada Familia is organizing a series of workshops for the whole family. The program includes a tour of the temple, a look at the Nativity façade and a handicraft workshop during which children will cut out paper ornaments with nativity scenes that were traditionally used to decorate churches. The tours and workshops will take place in Catalan and Spanish. The cost to participate is 8 euros. You can register at sagradafamilia.org.
New Year’s Eve party at Avinguda de la Reina Maria Cristina and party at Poble Espanyol
The world-renowned Groupe F, under the direction of Christophe Bertonneau, invites everyone to celebrate New Year’s Eve at the Avinguda Maria Cristina, which will be transformed with pyrotechnics, music and a monumental production. At midnight, more than 500 drones will take off into the night sky to celebrate the new year with incredible light compositions. It is recommended to arrive early to get comfortable seats.
After welcoming the New Year, you can head to Poble Espanyol, which has been hosting a huge party for over 30 years that lasts until the wee hours of the morning. The 2024 program includes urban music, techno, hits from the 80s and contemporary.
Royal Camp at the Nou Barris Oasis
Messengers of the Three Magi will welcome children who want to hand over letters of wishes at the Royal Camp among the palm trees of the Nou Barris oasis. Royal pageboys, astrologers, dream fairies, magic key keepers and other fairy tale characters await the little guests.
Earlier we wrote: Alicante is preparing to celebrate Christmas: program of events
Christmas concert at the Plaça de la Catedral
One of the most beautiful Christmas traditions of Barcelona is the free annual concert of Orfeó Català and the singers Cor Jove and Cor de Noies, organized by the Barcelona City Council. This year it will be held at the Plaça de la Catedral on January 3 at 19:30.
Three Kings Parade
As is tradition, on the afternoon of January 5, the Three Kings and their entourage will solemnly arrive at Portal de la Pau on board the schooner Santa Eulàlia to take part in the annual parade. They will be met on shore by the Mayor of Barcelona, who will present Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar with the keys to the city, bread and salt.
The parade of the Three Kings will begin at 6 p.m. Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar will ride on decorated platforms through the streets of the city accompanied by musicians and actors. The procession will follow the route from Av Marquès de l’Argentera (at the intersection with Pg Circumval-lació) to the Magic Fountain of Montjuïc according to this schedule:
- 18:00 — Av Marquès de l’Argentera;
- 18:15 — Pg Colom;
- 19:10 — Av Paral-lel;
- 19:30 — Rda Sant Pau;
- 19:45 — Sant Antoni Market;
- 20:30 — C/ Sepúlveda;
- 20:45 — Pl Espanya;
- 21:15 — Av Reina Maria Cristina.
Read more Spanish news on our website.
Also, follow us on Pinterest to stay up to date with the latest happenings.
Photo from cronista.com
