Christmas markets and traditions in Barcelona
If you feel like doing Christmas a bit differently, and even in a sunny location, then Barcelona is perfect. The Christmas markets are always great for helping you get right into the holiday spirit!
With the litt caganer and tió de Nadal figures (if you haven’t heard of them before, just read on to learn more) filling the stalls, you will feel perfectly happy and at home in Barcelona!
Christmas market or Fira de Santa Llúcia
This is the oldest and best known Christmas market in Catalonia. It is located outside the Cathedral, from around the 30th of November to the 23rd of December.
- Opening hours: Monday to Thursday 10:30am to 8:30pm and 10:30am to 9:30pm on weekends and holidays.
The Sagrada Familia Christmas market
Nearly 100 stands are set up from the 24th of November to the 23rd of December around the Sagrada Familia for a very friendly and vibrant market where you can find Christmas decorations and little souvenirs.
- Opening hours: 10am to 10pm
Gran Via Christmas market (or Fira de Reis)
From the 20th of December to the 6th of January along the Gran Via Les Corts Catalanes, between Entença and Muntaner, you will find the Fira de Reis. The market is divided into two distinct parts: the toy market near the plaça de Catalunya and the artisanal market near the plaça Espanya.
- Opening hours: 11am to 10pm
Plaça Catalunya Christmas activities
From the 22nd of December to the 4th of January, head to the plaça Catalunya! Performances, workshops and other fun activities for young and old are organised. For example you can go inside a huge snowball or even see a giant ballerina emerge from a music box!
Barcelona Christmas traditions
The caganer
The caganer is an integral part of Catalan folklore at Christmas. It’s a little Christmas figure with an ever-changing face, as every year stars, politicians and other public figures are made into caganer statues.
However, despite the different forms it take, it is very recognisable, as it is always doing a poo (don’t ask us why, no one really knows!). Caganer actually means “shitter” in Catalan (Sorry, we’re just translating…).
You will no doubt see some in the giant manger in front of Barcelona city hall at Plaça de Sant Jaume.
The tió de Nadal or Caga Tió
The tió de Nadal (“Christmas log” in Catalan) is a little hollow log representing a friendly little guy. It is full of sweets that come out when children hit it with sticks and sing the song of Caga tió (“shitting” log. Hi there, poetry lovers! 😉
Christmas trees
- You can buy a Christmas tree at the Fira de Santa Llucía or the Navarro flower shop open 24 hours near the Concepció market.
Merry Christmas under the Catalan sun!
