Enjoy the best Christmas plans in Barcelona
Everything you need to know about the best Christmas plans in Barcelona throughout December that you cannot miss
December is around the corner and with it all the magic that Barcelona offers everyone. After a year with many restrictions that did not allow to enjoy Christmas as usual, this December does promise to be unforgettable in the Catalan capital. For that reason, today at The Lofttown, your residence for university students in Barcelona, Christmas bells are already being heard and we will tell you which are the best Christmas plans in Barcelona that you cannot miss.
Welcome back to our blog with the best tips for university students in Barcelona!
1. Visit the Christmas markets
A Barcelona Christmas without taking into account one of its wonderful Christmas markets, full of a magical and festive atmosphere where you can find tree decorations, handmade figures for the Nativity scene, poinsettias, a caga tió and many more options that will surprise you. The two main traditional Christmas markets that you should visit are the following:
Santa Llúcia Market
A synonym for Christmas in Barcelona is the Fira de Santa Llúcia, which is the Barcelona Christmas market par excellence, as well as being the oldest in the city with more than 235 years of tradition, if not because it is also the most emblematic. Located on Avenida de la Catedral, it has 175 Christmas stalls where you will find nativity scenes, trees and handicrafts. Remember that the market will be available until December 23, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Sagrada Familia Christmas market
Another traditional Christmas market is the one near the Sagrada Familia, with all the magic that this implies of experiencing Christmas with views of the impressive basilica designed by Gaudí. This market was created when the one in Santa Llúcia no longer supplied its visitors. It is characterized by being a little smaller and has 100 stalls where you will also find cribs, trees and plants and Christmas decorations, gifts of all kinds and also spaces with food products such as chestnuts, nougats and churros. We remind you that this market runs until December 23, from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day, and until 10 p.m. on the eve of public holidays.
2. Contemplate the Christmas decorations of Barcelona
As of November 24, Barcelona is once again adorned with millions of lights that flood the entire city with the Christmas spirit. For this 2021 the most emblematic spaces and streets are Plaza Catalunya, Gran Via, Paseo de Gracia or Aragó street, which will also feature renovated lighting.
On the other hand, Christmas trees will also be installed in the main shopping streets of the city. Without a doubt, we recommend you stroll through the streets of Barcelona throughout December, as they will make you live a different experience and enjoy the decoration, the shop windows and the great variety of lights.
3. It’s time to give away
If you still don’t know what to give to your family or friends. So, here we share several options where you can find the Christmas gifts you need:
* Sant Jordi de Nadal, this Catalan book festival brings its Christmas version, which will be held on December 11 and 18 at the Old Estrella Damm Factory.
* Mercantic, the classic market for the sale of traditional furniture and decoration in Sant Cugat, arrives this year loaded with many novelties, this December 18 and 19 with its Christmas edition celebrating the Mercat de Nadal.
* Palo Alto Market, on November 20 and 21 and December 4 and 5, this market, which is already a classic of Poble Nou, will unite again in its Christmas version, art, design, music, fashion and beer.
* The Santa Llucia and Sagrada Familia markets you will find all the Christmas details with which you will surprise.
4. Christmas with chocolate and churros
Churros with hot chocolate are already a classic in Barcelona. However, at Christmas time in Barcelona, there is no need to look for any excuse to enjoy this gift for your palate at a stop to recharge your batteries on a cold afternoon of shopping in the center. In this sense, you should not miss the great Barcelona classics in churros with chocolate such as: Granja Viader, Dulcinea or Petritxol, Churrería Trébol or Comaxurros, which we are sure will not make you enjoy Christmas in Barcelona any more.
5. Discover the Käthe Wohlfahrt store
If you are looking for a magical corner in Barcelona for your Christmas shopping, this is the Käthe Wohlfahrt. A German store with many years of tradition in handmade Christmas decoration, which is also one of the most important in Europe. Located for more than two years in the Gothic Quarter of Barcelona, it has already become a place of pilgrimage for Christmas lovers. Here you can feel like in a Christmas town, in which each area is designed for each of its products such as: nativity scenes, tree decorations, Christmas clocks, nutcrackers or the traditional Christmas pyramids.
In addition, you will also find exclusive pieces inspired by Barcelona with designs inspired by Gaudí, the characteristic yellow and black taxi or the unmistakable caganer.
6. The Christmas Poble Espanyol
If Poble Espanyol is already a must-see in Barcelona, then in December it becomes a must for everyone. And it is that in December it dresses up for Christmas with many impressive details that will make you fall in love at first sight. We remind you that from December 4 to 8, December 11 and 12, December 18 to 30 (except December 25) and from January 2 to 5, Poble Espanyol becomes a giant advent calendar .
In this way, it will be filled with 24 thematic corners that will be related to characters, traditions and typical Christmas scenes, such as the 24 windows of an Advent calendar. You can also visit the House of Santa Claus until December 23 or to one of the Magi from December 26, to deliver your letter personally.
7. CABALGATE OF THE WISE KINGS
Barcelona dresses up next January 5 starting at 6 in the afternoon, which is when the majesties of the East officially arrive with the best staging of floats and sweets in abundance. The parade begins as always in av. Marquès de l’Argentera in front of the Francia station. The Kings and their entourage will parade through the main streets of Barcelona, passing through Pla de Palau, p.º Isabel II, Vía Laietana, pl. Urquinaona, Fontanella, pl. Catalunya, Pelai, pl. University, rda. Sant Antoni, Sepúlveda, av. Paral·lel, av. Queen Maria Cristina. A unique experience that you must live once in your life if you are in Barcelona.
8. The New Year’s Eve chimes
With the arrival of the end of the year, the classic fireworks also come to the city. This usual pyrotechnics show that traditionally took place on Avenida de la Reina María Cristina, for this year will be done, but in a decentralized way, that is, throughout the city, so that residents of the entire city can enjoy the fires from your windows without having to travel to Plaza Espanya.
9. Els Llums de Sant Pau
The Sant Pau Modernist Campus in Barcelona will open its doors every night from November 22, 2021 to January 9, 2022 for a very special walk. And what does this show consist of? You will discover a luminous fairy tale landscape with Christmas lights, impressive illuminated vegetation and creative light figures.
10. Attend a Christmas show
During the Christmas holidays, we recommend you attend the theaters of the city, because they are filled with shows for Christmas that you cannot miss. Here we tell you which are the most important:
* Gran Teatre del Liceu
The Gran Teatre del Liceu will host these festivities in full swing, thanks to the famous Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. The ghosts of Christmas past, present and future will soften the hard heart of usurer Scrooge on December 17, 18 and 19 at 11:00.
The Christmas ballet par excellence, the Nutcracker, will also be present these holidays, on December 28, 29 and 30 and on January 2, 3 and 4.
And on January 1 at 8 p.m., the Great New Year’s Concert will be held, the most famous production in Europe backed by 30 years of success and 5 million viewers around the world.
* Palau de la Música:
The Great New Year’s Concert, the program is inspired by the traditional musical event that is held each year in Vienna, will take place at the Palau de la Música on December 19, 25 and 31 and January 2, 3 and 6.
On the other hand, on December 25, Txaikovski’s Nutcracker will be held, the quintessential Christmas ballet.
And to close the Christmas holidays, on January 4 the Great Christmas Concert will take place with the Great Symphony Orchestra, with Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 5. Find all the information and ticket sales you will find on the website of the Palau de la Música Catalana.
* L’Auditori
The Auditori this year will also host the Great New Year’s Concert, on December 26, on December 18 the Christmas Concert will be held with the Barcelona Accordion Chamber Orchestra and on December 19 the Gift of Life, together with another Christmas concert.
Now that you know what the best Christmas plans are in all of Barcelona in December, we remind you that at The Lofttown, your university residence in Barcelona, we want to count on you to live a unique and unforgettable experience, while you study in Barcelona so that you become one of our #TheLoftowners.
If you want to know more about us, we also invite you to follow us on Facebook and Instagram so that you are always up to date with the latest promotions and news in our university residence.
Enjoy December!