Christmas-time activities in Barcelona

The Christmas Spirit has arrived in Barcelona. The lights have been turned on and the streets have been regaled with a variety of decorative elements, such as the characteristic “galets gigantes” (a kind of shell-shaped pasta typical of Barcelona) on the Rambla Catalunya.

The traditional nativity scenes have also been refurbished this year and the representation on the plaça Sant Jaume was inspired by the city’s rooftops. The idea of recreating this nativity scene in the heart of the square is a way of transporting the traditional characters to contemporary Barcelona. The Casa dels Entremesos plays host to another nativity scene, though this one is more humorous and is decorated with Iakare figures. The Ciutat Vella and Santa Maria del Mar areas as well as the Coordinadora de Geganters (the federation of makers of giants for festivals and processions) all have their own nativity scene representations. In the patio of the City Council (Ajuntament) visitors can see 18th century nativity scenes in the palace and the convent, an exhibition of Neapolitan and Majorcan nativity scene characters from Barcelona’s Ethnological and Frederic Mares Museums.

For the third year running the plaça Catalunya has been turned into an ice rink, which will be open until the 7th of January. These facilities are open for all the family to enjoy skating, attend exhibitions relating to a number of different ice sports and to partake in initiation classes. The rinks (a large rink of 1200 m2 and a smaller one of 200 m2) are open 7 days a week from 10 am (special timetables have been established for certain days) and have been covered by the tent used by the renowned Cirque du Soleil.

The Barcelona Christmas itinerary can be completed by visiting the markets distributed throughout the city. Aside from the Fira de Santa Llúcia and their giant "tió", the city will also play host to three extensive markets. From the 29th of November to the 23rd of December, the Sagrada Familia Christmas Fair will be the perfect place to obtain figurines and nativity scene elements as well as plants, trees and other decorations. The Jardins de Salvador Espriu will host the Christmas Charity Social Economy Market for the second year running. In this market, thirty four entities divided among twenty four stands offer solidarity-related gifts of eco-agriculture, games, crafts, wood carvings, etc. From the 19th of December until the 6th of January, the traditional Fira de Reis will line the median strip of the Gran Via where 150 stands will offer the visitor virtually anything they could possibly want for Christmas.