Trip to Barcelona, Spania in December
What’s Barcelona like in December?
A visit to Barcelona during the month of December is during the low season. It’s a great time to see the city without as many tourists and it’s a magical time of the year. While there aren’t as many tourists, the Christmas season and the December ‘puente’ (long weekend) are two times when numbers team do rise. Expect to see crowds around the December 6th & 8th holidays and towards the end of the year. December 25th and 26th are public holidays, with many places closed or with adjusted working hours.
Remember this is a guide to Barcelona in December, for some of the top things to do in Barcelona year round, download my free guide to Barcelona here:
What’s the weather like in December?
Check the weather before you come, but even if you see warmer temperatures than you’re used to at home, locals won’t be dressing for the weather, but for the season. You can still be outside all day with average highs around 14-15 degrees and average lows being around 9 degrees.
What should I wear?
You’ll want coats and winter wear and make sure to bring layers. It can be warm during the middle of the day and temperatures can dip at night. A sweater or a sweatshirt with a jacket on top will be good for walking around during the day.
What are the important dates in December?
December 6th
Constitution Day in Spain is a National Holiday around the country, celebrating the latest constitution signed in 1978. This year it falls on a Friday and will be the start of a long weekend holiday
December 8th
The Immaculate Conception is the second of the Holidays that make up the December ‘Puente’. This year with it being a Sunday, not too much will change. Expect this to be the busiest weekend where people from all over the country are traveling and Barcelona will be very full with a lot of national tourism. So if you are coming during these days, be aware that there might be more people here than in the surrounding days and weeks.
December 24th
Christmas Eve is known as Noche Buena in Spain, many families celebrate with a special dinner at home.
Check out my full video on what Christmas season is like:
December 25th
Christmas Day is one of the few days of the year where you will find different museums or attractions closed. If you’re struggling to find activities, one of the places that is open 365 days of the year is the Casa Batlló.
December 26th
Boxing Day is celebrated as Sant Esteve and is traditionally celebrated at home. The city is usually pretty quite on days like today where many elect to stay at home and eat leftovers. For traditional Catalan Christmas food see below!
December 28th
The Day of the Innocents is celebrated like an April Fool’s Day and the media get pretty involved. So be careful about what you see or read if you’re visiting on this day.
December 31st
New Year’s Eve, as with anywhere else is a big holiday, but most people here will stay home to celebrate until right after midnight when they will go out to the clubs. Many packages are sold in advance to be able to go out. One of the most popular night clubs is Opium.
Remember to eat your grapes
The New Year’s Tradition is to eat 12 grapes with the chimes of the bells at midnight. For more on the tradition, you can watch this video here:
In Barcelona, you can head over to the Plaça Espanya for the New Years celebration, eat grapes, and enjoy the fireworks!
L'Home dels Nassos
There is also a children’s legend that says there is a man with as many noses as there are days in the year, but each day he loses a nose. Children are told to look for this man on the last day of the year. Can you see if you can find him?
What to do in December?
Christmas Markets
The Christmas Markets in Barcelona are always fun to check out. They are a bit different from their northern counterparts. The focus is on decorative items for your home and not food and drink. Here are the two main Christmas Markets in Barcelona:
1. Fira de Sant Llúcia
November 24th - December 23rd
Right in front of the Cathedral of Barcelona, this is the city’s main Christmas market that has been held since 1786. That means 2024 is the 238th set up!
2. Sagrada Familia
November 24th - December 23rd
Since 1962, the Sagrada Familia has held a Christmas market right in front of the Passion Façade. It actually started because there was no more space in front of the Cathedral.
You can also take the time to visit Barcelona’s most visited attraction. This year, the aim is to finish the Mark and Luke Evangelist towers.
3. Nadal al Port
December 5th - January 7th
The traditional markets focus a bit more on the Christmas decorations for your home. If you're looking for the food and activities, head down to the Port Vell (Old Port) and catch 'Christmas at the Port'. There's a ferris wheel, an ice skating rink, and plenty of food to enjoy during the holidays!
4. Fira de Reis
December 15th - January 6th
What started as a group of merchants banning together to sell their products around the feast of Saint Thomas (Dec. 21st), has turned into the market leading up to Three King's Day (Jan. 6th).
And it's open late on the evening of the 5th! They say until the last present is bought!
What to buy at the markets
There are some really unique Catalan figures that appear during the Christmas season that you can take home to family and friends, or make for a great souvenir! The Tió de Nadal and the Caganer are two Catalan Christmas traditions that you’ll only find in this part of Spain! You can also go to the Caganer stores around the center for hundreds of options.
Christmas Lights
The Christmas Lights in Barcelona are going to be turned on November 23rd and will be on until January 6th. This year there are some news lights and getting around the city to see them is always special. Barcelona looks beautiful with their Christmas lights! Walking the city and seeing the lights is free, but if you’re looking for a special way to see the lights, here are the two best options:
1. Llums de Sant Pau
If you didn’t have the Hospital of Sant Pau on your list of things to do it’s an incredibly impressive area built in Modernist style by Lluís Domènech i Muntaner. But during the Christmas season it gets all lit up with its own Christmas lights to make the visit even more magical!
2. Bus Turístic Christmas Light Route
Those Hop-on, Hop-off buses you can take around any city can be an easy way to see all of the main attractions. I tend to prefer walking, but a really cool experience is taking the special Christmas Light Route around the city in the evening to see the city by. If by with all the lights. Buses leave from Plaça Catalunya!
FC Barcelona December Matches ⚽️
December 15th vs. Leganes
December 22nd vs. Atlético de Madrid
Remember to get your tickets at the official website:
Espanyol December Matches ⚽️
December 15th vs. Osasuna
Remember to get your tickets at the official website:
FC Barcelona Femení Matches ⚽️
December 8th vs. Real Betis
December 18th vs. Man City (Champions)
Remember to get your tickets at the official website:
Christmas at Poble Espanyol 🎄
What was originally a reconstruction of the architecture of Spain and its communities that was created for the 1929 Universal exposition is still standing today! It’s a really interesting space where buildings from all around Spain have been recreated in exact proportions. For Christmas is gets decorated and you can visit Santa Clause and the Three Kings!
Christmas at Poble Espanyol in Barcelona is a festive celebration that immerses visitors in the holiday spirit with a charming, family-friendly atmosphere. The village transforms with colorful lights, decorations, and traditional Christmas markets featuring handmade crafts, local foods, and holiday treats. Activities for all ages include live nativity scenes, carol performances, and workshops for making seasonal crafts. Kids can meet Santa Claus, while the entire family enjoys storytelling, puppet shows, and ice skating under twinkling lights. The combination of Catalan traditions, beautiful architecture, and festive cheer makes Christmas at Poble Espanyol a magical experience for visitors and locals alike.:
⛸️ Go Ice Skating
Get some of the best views and ice skate at the same time. Skating is 5€ but also included in a trip to the park.
Check out the big skate rink along the Old Harbor!
Sant Pau has a rink this year!
🎵Catch a Christmas Concert
The Liceu Opera House is a Barcelona staple located right on its most famous street, La Rambla!
Another incredible Modernist building right in the center of Barcelona, guided tours are offered daily but you should see a concert to get the full experience. This December you can catch Christmas concerts and the Nutcracker, on top of the more common flamenco shows. A stunning concert hall.
💡Casa Batllo Lights
During the Christmas season, Casa Batlló lights up with a holiday display, adding an extra layer of magic to Gaudí’s masterpiece. The iconic building is adorned with sparkling lights that highlight its organic curves and unique facade, creating a captivating sight that blends art and festive cheer. Visitors can enjoy the holiday ambiance from the street or tour the interior for a complete experience of Casa Batlló’s imaginative design paired with holiday spirit. It’s a must-see for anyone wanting a unique and beautifully lit view of Barcelona at Christmas.
Nativity Scenes in Barcelona
In Barcelona, nativity scenes, or pessebres, are a cherished part of the Christmas tradition. The tradition of creating pessebres goes back centuries in Catalonia, with each scene crafted to reflect both religious and cultural significance. You'll find nativity scenes in many locations around the citybut many families also create their own mini nativity scenes at home. Some of the most popular displays can be found:
Word has it that the Frederic Marès Museum display will be moved into the City Hall in the Plaça de Sant Jaume this year, so be on the look out for some changes. The square won't have its traditional and polemic decorations this year.
🎄Christmas at Pl. de Catalunya
December 20th - 30th
Fun for the whole family though out the day as Plaça de Catalunya and Plaça de la Universitat get decorated and host concerts, live events, and activities. Find the program below!
What to eat in December?
Escudella
A popular winter soup or stew that is made with galets and many different types of Catalan meats and vegetables. It’s one of the most traditional Christmas dishes in Catalonia that is documented from as far back at the 15th century!
Canelons
Turrón
Nice nougat candies you can try that are extremely popular during the holiday season. There are many different stores that sell turrón, but one of the most popular places is Torrons Vicens and you will find shops all around the city center with all types of different flavors.
Hot Chocolate
With the colder weather a nice hot chocolate makes for a nice treat while here. Things to keep in mind, hot chivalry is not really a drink it should be eaten with a spoon. I think many people make the mistake of thinking it’s like a Swiss Miss drink. It is incredibly filling. Something you should try while you’re here I. Barcelona is a Suizo, a hot chocolate topped with whipped cream.
Try out the hot chocolate at the Casa Amatller on Passeig de Gràcia, the Amatller made all of their money from chocolate. A visit to the house can be accompanied with hot chocolate at the end!
Churros
To go with your hot chocolate, try some churros. Here are some of the top places to try the combo. While churros are great, you can also try out melindros, which are like little cookies to dip in the hot chocolate.
Canelones
Restaurants to find traditional Catalan Christmas dishes
Christmas Shopping
We already mentioned the Caganer shops you’ll find around the center for a good souvenir, but if you’re looking to bring home some a Christmas presents here are some other shops to check out:
1. Käthe Wohlfart
German, yes, but Christmas all year round, but at this time of the year expect extremely long lines running down the street. Go early! You can also find Caganer ornaments here.
2. La Roca Village
The Roca Village is a bit outside of the city but there are buses that run there daily. A luxury outlet mall with a lot of your favorite brands and Christmas decorations you won’t want to miss. Might be a great place to get some gifts this holiday season.
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