laça de Catalunya transforms into a vast stage from 20 to 30 December, hosting family shows, circus and dance pieces, concerts, and a grand final performance starring a large vocal ensemble. From morning to night, anyone wanting a Christmas filled with excitement and spectacle should head to the Barcelona Christmas Festival.

Organised by the Barcelona Institute of Culture (ICUB), the festival is artistically directed by Sergi Ots, with Jordi Duran curating the nightly show. Together, they’ve programmed some twenty theatre, dance, and circus companies — six of them international — along with nine musical bands. Among the performances, you’ll find around twenty premieres never before seen in the city.

More than three hundred shows will take place over these days. Each morning begins with Family Mornings, featuring Christmas Seasons, a performance in which four companies (Mambo Project, Zero en Conducta, Pea Green Boat, and Cía Andrea Díaz Reboredo) present intimate pieces of visual and object theatre. Children will also enjoy The Dreamcatchers, who invite them to explore The Violet Planet, bursting with ideas for making the world a better place.

Return to the square in the afternoon for Circus and Dance Afternoons, hosted by Mama Calypso — an energetic, humorous master of ceremonies who introduces a vibrant lineup of street arts and movement arts. You’ll see Cia. La Corcoles & Manolo Alcántara (L’abraçada del cable), Iron Skulls Co (Famulus 4.0), La Venidera (Loca – premiere), Colectivo Glovo (Alleo – premiere), French company Cie Kiaï (Pulse – premiere), Belgian company Cie One Shot (One Shot – premiere), and many others. Note that not all performances run every day; if you want to curate your visit or follow a particular company, consult the full programme.

In the evenings at 7:00 pm, daily concerts feature artists ranging from Meli Perea, Alosa, and Meritxell & Judit Neddermann to Jazz Magnetism Feat. Vito & Mxrgxn, I.O., French ensemble Barrut (making their Barcelona debut!), and Xanguito.

At 7:45 pm, the Christmas nights become spectacular with Asceta, choreographed by Chey Jurado (no performances on 24, 25, and 26 December), followed by Christmas, an Unexpected Journey (pictured), led by a choral ensemble. Cor de Teatre — masters of blending staging and music — tell the story of someone who unexpectedly lands in a world full of magic, wonder, and emotion.

All of this unfolds in Plaça de Catalunya. Only there? Not quite. On 22 December (in Eixample and Sant Martí) and 23 December (in Gràcia), public spaces in various districts will host surprise performances by a company also featured in the Circus and Dance Evenings. It’s La Bande à Tyrex — musicians who give a choreographed concert… while riding bicycles and performing astonishing acrobatics.

If you don’t want to miss a spectacular, emotion-filled Christmas, come to the Barcelona Christmas Festival — but be sure to check the full programme on Barcelona City Council’s Christmas website.