Plaça de Catalunya and Plaça de la Universitat were the setting for an attractive two-week programme for all types of audiences: children, young people, adults, local people and visitors from everywhere.

Performing arts, music, digital arts and installations all made up the Barcelona Christmas Festival, through various universal languages accessible to all during mornings, afternoons and evenings from 17 to 30 December 2022. All this, with the common thread of Christmas and the energy unleashed during the cherished festive season.

The Barcelona Christmas Festival was intended as a gift in the Catalan capital: a festival with a cultural and cosmopolitan outlook, a showcase for the arts, culture and creativity in the city. It was a programme which promoted the city of Barcelona and ensured an authentic Christmas celebration.

You werw found a whole host of cultural projects in Plaça de Catalunya, the festival’s nerve centre, at various points over this two-week period, ranging from family activities to live music, street arts and festive shows. A festival for everyone!

The project, created by scenographer and architect Juli Sanjuan Palma, had a Christmas-themed staging that filled the square with warmth.

In Plaça de la Universitat, visitors were able to enjoy the proposal by the digital arts and design platform OFFF Barcelona. Through a forest of screens, and thanks to the collaboration of five digital artists, all in attendance were able to reflect on the solstice.

Mornings in Plaça de Catalunya: Christmas with the family

In the mornings, the square hosted family activities in two different time slots. Each morning of the festival kick off with a series of participatory activities that invited attendees to appreciate literature, artistic creation, learning and games, all while listening to a live performance by Sonido Tupinamba.

Then they were able to dance and laugh along to “Fum, fum festa!” by Guillem Albà & La Marabunta. This performance was created for the occasion in order to help attendees celebrate the joys of Christmas. It was accompanied by a Catalan sign language interpreter.

Music and street art afternoons

The afternoons began with music sessions by Sonido Tupinamba followed by a performance from the Balkan Paradise Orchestra, who invited everyone to gather in the middle of the square and enjoy the collective energy.

Later on, it was the street arts that take centre stage. Up to six different proposals could be seen throughout the festival. A diverse programme featuring dance, circus performances, percussion and movement, brought to you by the following companies: Soon Circus, Sound de Secà, Circ Panic, Vero Cendoya, Magí Serra & Anamaria Klanjscek and Didier Theron.