Christmas lights fan club, we wrote this article specially for you. The time has (already) come and the city of Barcelona is getting ready to shine the Christmas way (yaaay). So, here is all you need to know about the Christmas lights in Barcelona to take the most of its coziness while walking the city streets this time of year:
Christmas lights in Barcelona: official lit up “encesa”
If we talk about “Christmas lights in Barcelona” there is one reamarkable day on the calendar: when the Christmas lights on the streets are lit up all of them at once. This is an official event in the city which takes place around the last week of November: l’Encesa de llums de Nadal. And these Christmas lights usually light up the city from the last week of November until January 6 (Three Wise Men’s Day).
These are the streets which have the most stunning Christmas lights in Barcelona during this time of year (which are basically some of the most centric and walked through streets):
- Gran Via de les Corts Catalanes.
- Carrer Aragó.
- Plaça Catalunya.
- Passeig de Gràcia.
- Via Laietana.
- Plaça Urquinaona.
However, we highly recommend you to go explore the city streets in neighborhoods such as Gràcia. It kind of gives you the feeling of walking in a smaller town, with more humble Christmas lights in Barcelona but with a coziness that avenues and streets in the city center probably don’t have.
Monuments with Christmas lights on
We didn’t forget to include on this list the most emblematic part of the Crhsitmas lights in Barcelona: monuments displaying a beautiful show of lights. We are talking about la Sagrada Família, Casa Batlló or Arc de Triomf. They look even more stunning this time of year.
Christmas markets lights
Walking on the street under the Christmas lights is a great way to get that cozy Christmas vibe (Christmas fans, you know what kind of feeling we are talking about). But those vibes get even more intense… if you enjoy them while exploring the Christmas markets in the city!
We wrote about the Santa Llúcia Christmas market, since it is one of the must-see spots if you are planning on spending Christmas in Barcelona. Also, there are other Christmas markets which are also worth a visit: Christmas market in Port Vell (along with a pretty amusement park) and the Christmas market placed in the Sagrada Familia surroundings (whose background is just beautiful).
Christmas lights: farmers markets and little shops
Besides streets, avenues and squares, there is another mandatory stop for those willing to get the Christmas lights vibes: the farmers markets. During this time of year, they get dressed with lights and Christmas decorations which turn them into beautiful places to feel the Holiday season. Two suggestions: Mercat de Sant Antoni and la Boqueria.
Also, there are many little shops (specially in the Gothic/Born quarter) that look so pretty with their Christmas lights welcoming you in.
Also, there is a bus tour Barcelona Christmas Tour specifically designed to enjoy the Christmas lights in Barcelona.
And if you want to discover what other Christmas plans Barcelona has to offer, read on: What to do for Christmas in Barcelona: 7 plans.