Barcelona, European Christmas Capital 2026
Christmas in Barcelona 2026
The season told in order: the lights switch-on, the markets, the nativity scenes, the concerts, New Year and the Three Kings. What is coming next is always at the top, and next to each place, what is on nearby.
The Christmas lights switch-on
It is the moment Barcelona opens Christmas: a street show and, all at once, the whole city lit up. This year it is on Thursday 26 November on Passeig de Gràcia, but further up than usual, between Rosselló and the Diagonal, to give people more room. It starts at 6 pm and the lights come on at 6:30 pm.
New this year: almost 140 km of lit streets across every district, a poem in light on Passeig Maragall and new lights on Rambla de Prim.
And there is more than one switch-on. Several neighbourhoods light up their own streets, with choirs, hot chocolate and a countdown: the same spots come back every year, and there is always something lovely going on. Their dates are not out yet; last year they were on the same day as the main one. If the centre is far or you would rather avoid the crowds, they are the best way to enjoy it.
Passeig de Gràcia
- When
- Thursday 26 November · 18:00
- Where
- Passeig de Gràcia, between Rosselló and the Diagonal
- Getting there
- Diagonal (L3, L5) · Passeig de Gràcia (L2, L3, L4)
A show for all ages, with aerial dance; the lights come on at 6:30 pm. The stage faces the sea: you can watch from the road or from the sides.
Confirmed for 2026
Gràcia
- When
- Date to be announced · 17:30
- Where
- Carrer de l'Escorial at Pi i Margall, by Plaça Joanic
- Getting there
- Joanic (L4)
In 2025: hot chocolate at 5:30 pm, the Orfeó Gracienc choir, the switch-on at 6:40 pm and drummers through the shopping streets.
2025 information: confirmed once it is published
Sants
- When
- Date to be announced
- Where
- Carrer de la Creu Coberta, 104
- Getting there
- Hostafrancs (L1)
In 2025: dance, the Orfeó Atlàntida choir, a light show and a countdown.
2025 information: confirmed once it is published
Sarrià
- When
- Date to be announced
- Where
- Plaça del Consell de la Vila
- Getting there
- Sarrià (FGC L6, L12)
In 2025: the Orfeó Sarrianenc choir, the switch-on at 7:10 pm and carols.
2025 information: confirmed once it is published
Les Corts
- When
- Date to be announced
- Where
- Carrer de Manila
- Getting there
- Maria Cristina (L3)
In 2025: music, a family show, the Coral l'Espiga choir and hot chocolate.
2025 information: confirmed once it is published
Sant Andreu
- When
- Date to be announced
- Where
- Plaça d'Orfila
- Getting there
- Sant Andreu (L1)
It started in 2025, with workshops, hot chocolate and choirs, and it is back in 2026: the district has already booked it.
2025 information: confirmed once it is published
While you are therethe evening of the main switch-on
The lights, every night until Epiphany
From 26 November to 6 January the lights come on every day at 5:30 pm and go off at 1 am; on Fridays, Saturdays and the nights of 24, 25 and 31 December and 5 January, at 2 am.
New to walk this year: the poem in light on Passeig Maragall, Rambla de Prim and Ramon Bigas's giant «galets», back at 12 markets, Plaça del Rei and Rambla de Catalunya by Provença. There are light routes in every district: along the shopping streets, past landmark shops and past the lit fountains.
Plaça de Catalunya will not, for now, get the lights planned for it, because of the housing protest camp. But on 9 November the city said it «won't be left in the dark»: if needed it will put up different lighting, and will decide after the general strike on the 11th. If that changes, we will say so here.
Christmas markets
The fairs are the other half of Christmas in Barcelona: trees, moss, nativity figures, the tió and presents. They are listed in the order they open.
Sagrada Família Christmas Fair
- When
- 21 November – 23 December · 10–21 h
- Where
- Plaça de la Sagrada Família
- Getting there
- Sagrada Família (L2, L5)
Around a hundred stalls of trees, nativity figures, sweets and presents, at the foot of the basilica. It has been held since 1962.
Confirmed for 2026
Christmas at Moll de la Fusta
- When
- 27 November – 6 January · 11–23 h
- Where
- Moll de Bosch i Alsina (Port Vell)
- Getting there
- Drassanes (L3) · Barceloneta (L4)
- Price
- Free entry
A seafront fair open until late. Last year it had a 65-metre Ferris wheel and an ice rink, and it is next to where the Three Kings arrive on 5 January.
Confirmed for 2026
Santa Llúcia Fair
- When
- 28 November – 23 December · 10–21 h
- Where
- Avinguda de la Catedral
- Getting there
- Jaume I (L4)
The oldest in the city, in front of the Cathedral: more than 200 stalls of moss, trees and nativity figures, and a giant tió for children. 2025 dates and hours.
2025 information: confirmed once it is published
Natalis at Poble Espanyol
- When
- 28 November – 4 January
- Where
- Poble Espanyol, Montjuïc
- Getting there
- Espanya (L1, L3)
- Price
- From €13
A Christmas trail with characters through the streets of Poble Espanyol. It opens on selected days: dates and times on its website.
Confirmed for 2026
Sants Christmas and Kings Fair
- When
- 17 December – 6 January
- Where
- Jardins de la Rambla de Sants
- Getting there
- Plaça de Sants (L1, L5)
2025 dates.
2025 information: confirmed once it is published
Gran Via Kings Fair
- When
- 18 December – 6 January · 10–21 h
- Where
- Gran Via, between Muntaner and Rocafort
- Getting there
- Urgell (L1) · Rocafort (L1)
- Price
- Free
The toy fair: 175 stalls for the Kings' presents. On Saturdays and the eve of holidays, until 10 pm. 2025 dates.
2025 information: confirmed once it is published
Nativity scenes
Building the nativity scene is the most Catalan of Christmas traditions, with the caganer hidden in some corner. These are the ones you can visit; the dates are 2025's and are confirmed when they open.
Plaça de Sant Jaume nativity scene
- When
- 13 December – 5 January · Mon–Fri 11 am–2 pm and 4–8 pm; Sat–Sun 11 am–8 pm
- Where
- Inside the City Hall, Plaça de Sant Jaume
- Getting there
- Jaume I (L4) · Liceu (L3)
2025 information: confirmed once it is published
Cathedral cloister
- When
- 28 November – 11 January · Mon–Sat 10 am–1:30 pm and 4:30–7:15 pm
- Where
- Entrance on Carrer del Bisbe
- Getting there
- Jaume I (L4)
2025 information: confirmed once it is published
Santa Maria del Mar
- When
- 14 December – 11 January · Mon–Sat 6–8 pm
- Where
- Plaça de Santa Maria
- Getting there
- Jaume I (L4)
2025 information: confirmed once it is published
Basílica de la Mercè
- When
- 1 December – 2 February · 9 am–1:30 pm and 4:30–8 pm
- Where
- Plaça de la Mercè
- Getting there
- Drassanes (L3) · Barceloneta (L4)
2025 information: confirmed once it is published
Pedralbes Monastery
- When
- 12 December – 2 February
- Where
- Baixada del Monestir, 9
- Getting there
- Reina Elisenda (FGC L12)
- Price
- With museum admission
Confirmed for 2026
Nativity scenes: in the listings
Concerts and carols
From the oratorios at the Palau de la Música to carol singing in neighbourhood squares: Christmas music from the city's listings.
Concerts and carols: in the listings
- 'Christmas at the Palau' Series — Tuesday 8 December · Palau de la Música Catalana
- Charles Dickens's "A Christmas Carol" Concert — Saturday 12 December, 11:30 · C la Rambla
- Concert "Así canta Jerez en Navidad" — Saturday 12 December, 21:00 · Palau de la Música Catalana
- Christmas Concert "Músiques per la pau" with José R. Pascual-Vilaplana — Sunday 13 December, 18:00 · Sala 1 Pau Casals
- "Rising Light. Advent and Christmas —Complete Organ Works of J. S. Bach III" Concert — Tuesday 15 December, 19:30 · Oratori de Sant Felip Neri
- "Clarence Bekker Christmas Special" Concert — Thursday 17 December, 19:00 · Jamboree
- "Christmas Oratorio" Concert with Carlos Mena and Cor Jove de l'Orfeó Català — Friday 18 December, 19:00 · Sala 1 Pau Casals
- At Christmas, originality means returning to the origin — Friday 18 December · Sagrada Família
- "Jo canto en família al Nadal" Concert — Saturday 19 December, 17:30 · CaixaForum Barcelona
- Christmas Concert by Coral del Parc de la Vall d’Hebron — Saturday 19 December, 18:00 · Casal de Barri Can Travi de la Vall d'Hebron
- "Nadal Nyandú" Concert — Saturday 19 December, 20:30 · Casino de l'Aliança del Poblenou
- Show "Soulful Christmas" — Monday 28 December, 21:00 · Teatre Poliorama
Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and Sant Esteve
In Catalonia Christmas is two days: the 25th and Sant Esteve, the 26th, with cannelloni. On the night of the 24th there is Midnight Mass at the Cathedral (at 10:45 pm in 2025) and at Santa Maria del Pi (at 11:30 pm), and these are the days children make the tió «poop» presents. It is also the season of the Pastorets, the traditional Christmas play.
New Year's Eve at the Magic Fountain
The city's New Year party is held on Avinguda de la Reina Maria Cristina, in front of Montjuïc's Magic Fountain: free, no booking needed. In 2025 it was the chimes, fireworks, drones and the fountain, from 11:50 pm to 12:15 am. This year's programme will be confirmed in December.
Magic Fountain
- When
- Thursday 31 December · 23:50
- Where
- Avinguda de la Reina Maria Cristina
- Getting there
- Espanya (L1, L3)
- Price
- Free
2025 information: confirmed once it is published
New Year's Eve at the Magic Fountain: in the listings
The Three Kings
Christmas ends with the night children wait for all year. On Tuesday 5 January the Three Kings arrive at the Portal de la Pau (at 4:30 pm in 2026) and at 6 pm the parade sets off from the Ciutadella: it goes along Passeig de Colom, Paral·lel, Sant Antoni and Sepúlveda, ending at the Magic Fountain after 9 pm. The 2027 route will be confirmed in December.
The Kings arrive
- When
- Tuesday 5 January · 16:30
- Where
- Portal de la Pau
- Getting there
- Drassanes (L3)
- Price
- Free
2025 information: confirmed once it is published
See the full Barcelona agenda
This page is rebuilt every morning from the city listings: what is coming next is always at the top. Information marked as 2025 is updated once the city or the organisers publish this year’s.
