Christmas 2026
Christmas in Barcelona with Kids
Light trails, Christmas markets and the Three Kings parade: family events in Barcelona from late November to 6 January.
Key Dates for Christmas 2026 in Barcelona
For the city’s full Christmas programme, see Barcelona’s official Christmas website, Nadal. Some links and dates on this page will be updated soon.
From 28 Nov
Natalis Christmas village opens at Poble Espanyol (until 4 Jan)
19 Dec
Space Safari drone light show at Circuit de Catalunya
From 19 Nov
Little Prince Light Experience (Els Llums de Sant Pau), until 10 Jan
Late Nov (TBC)
Christmas street lights switched on
Late Nov (TBC)
Fira de Santa Llúcia Christmas market opens by the Cathedral (until 23 Dec)
27–31 Dec (TBC)
Festival de la Infància, an indoor play fair at Fira Montjuïc
31 Dec
New Year’s Eve show by the Magic Fountain, Montjuïc
5 Jan
Three Kings parade (Cavalcada de Reis), from early evening
Public holidays: 25 and 26 December, 1 January and 6 January. Many shops close on these days and some attractions change their opening hours.
Christmas Events for Families
See all What’s On →
Circuit de Catalunya
Sat 19 Dec, show 6.30pm
Space Safari Drone Light Show
Hundreds of drones tell a space story in the sky, with music and narration. Also Christmas activities, fairground rides, face painting and food.
Under-3s free
Kids €16.99
Poble Espanyol
28 Nov – 4 Jan
Natalis: Christmas at Poble Espanyol
Six Christmas worlds with around 20 characters and shows in the main square. Children can hand their letters to Santa, or later to the Three Kings from 26 Dec.
From €12
Auditori l’illa
4 Oct – 31 Jan
Ballet of Lights: Cinderella
Cinderella told through ballet, with dancers in light-up costumes. The one-hour show is at Auditori l’Illa and is recommended for ages 5 and up. A great autumn or Christmas treat.
From €19.50
Sant Pau
19 Nov – 10 Jan
The Little Prince Light Experience
Els Llums de Sant Pau: an evening light trail through the Modernist pavilions, with Little Prince projections and characters. An ice rink is open on site, with separate tickets.
Under-3s free
From €10
City centre
Late Nov – 6 Jan
Christmas Lights in Barcelona
Light installations go up across the city centre, including Passeig de Gràcia, Portal de l’Àngel and Plaça de Catalunya. The season opens with a free switch-on show.
Free
Cathedral
Late Nov – 23 Dec
Fira de Santa Llúcia Christmas Market
Barcelona’s oldest Christmas market, held in front of the Cathedral since 1786. Stalls sell nativity figures, moss, Christmas trees, caganers and Caga Tió logs.
Free entry
Tibidabo
Late Nov – 5 Jan
Christmas at Tibidabo
The hilltop park adds a giant Christmas tree, an ice rink with city views and a puppet show. Santa visits before Christmas.
Under 90cm free
With entry
PortAventura
Late Nov – 6 Jan
Christmas at PortAventura
Christmas shows, a parade and festive decorations across the park. This day trip from Barcelona includes the coach and park entry.
Under-3s free
From €78
Sagrada Família
Late Nov – 23 Dec
Christmas Fair at Sagrada Família
A Christmas market in the square beside Sagrada Família, with stalls selling decorations, nativity figures, toys and Christmas food.
Free entry
Port Vell
Late Nov – 6 Jan
Christmas at Port Vell
A Christmas fair on Moll de la Fusta with a 65-metre Ferris wheel, an ice rink, a carousel and food stalls, open from late morning until late evening.
Pay per ride
Gran Via
Mid Dec – 6 Jan
Fira de Reis Toy Market
A toy and gift market along Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes, open until late on 5 January for last-minute presents from the Three Kings.
Free entry
Fira Montjuïc
27–31 Dec (TBC)
Festival de la Infància
An indoor play fair in the Montjuïc exhibition halls, with games, sports, crafts, workshops and stage shows for children.
From €8.50
Fabra i Coats
27 Dec – 4 Jan (TBC)
The Three Kings’ Toy Factory
An evening visit to the Kings’ toy workshop, where children watch the royal pages at work and hand over their letter. Free tickets are released in December.
Free, book ahead
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Christmas Traditions
Caga Tió
A small log with a painted face, a red barretina hat and a blanket. Families ‘feed’ it through December. On Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, children tap it with sticks while singing a song, and sweets and small presents appear under the blanket. Tiós are sold at the Christmas markets.
The Caganer
A small figure of a squatting man, tucked into a corner of most Catalan nativity scenes. Spotting him is part of looking at a nativity scene. Market stalls also sell caganers of footballers, politicians and film characters.
The Three Kings
Melchior, Gaspar and Balthazar bring children’s main presents, on the night of 5 January. Children write them a letter in December, and some hand it to a royal page in person. On the evening of 5 January the Kings arrive by boat at Port Vell and parade through the city.
Tortell de Reis
A ring-shaped pastry eaten on 6 January, often filled with cream or marzipan. A small king figurine and a dried bean are hidden inside: whoever finds the king wears the paper crown, and whoever finds the bean pays for the tortell.