Here we describe Christmas and New Year's Eve in Barcelona. We report to you how locals celebrate the festivals and what you can organize at that time, what the opening hours of restaurants, shops, museums are as well as from hotels to English speaking church services and much more.

Christmas in Barcelona is a very special celebration. There are a lot of gifts, but also its Christian and religious background is at least as important. To whom the Christmas flair ends too abrupt with the end of the bank holidays in Central Europe , the Christmas flair in Barcelona can be enjoyed for longer. Only on the 6th of January will the Christmas lights will be disconnected.

How locals spend the holidays

The Christmas
At Christmas time roads will be brightly illuminated, Christmas trees lavishly decorated, at Christmas markets you can buy gifts and enjoy Christmas- culinary delights.
In contrast to Central Europe the 24th of December in Spain has not the particular importance of a present giving ceremony. This is almost a normal day. The present giving ceremony and the Christmas celebrations will be held instead on the 25th of December,  the 1st Christmas Day. A further day accompanied by a present giving ceremony is on the 6th January, but this day is somehow more modest where more practical gifts are given away.
At Christmas itself one goes to church service, eating a good meal and having a gift giving ceremony with the family, the young people often go out afterwards.

New Year's Eve and New Year's Day in Barcelona
On New Year's Eve you can get the impression that the entire population is on the streets and squares in order to look forward excitedly to the turn of the year. Very important: Exactly at midnight when the church bells rings 12 times you should eat a grape at every beat. The best way to do it is on one of Barcelona's many places. This will bring good luck for the next year.
But you will look in vain for a firework; however there will be some rockets or firecrackers. There it won't pay off to get a mountain view to admire the fireworks from above. Instead enjoy a good meal before you go out to a bar, disco or club.

Specific travel preparation

Barcelona's weather on holidays
You will find general advice on climate and weather in Barcelona on a special summarised weather and climate page.
Snow in Barcelona at Christmas and New Year is not to be expected. There is a mostly mild climate with the sun and not too cold days. It can also easily rain slightly. Slightly warmer clothing and a raincoat should be suitable.

Stylish accommodation
If you wish to come to Barcelona with your family or in a small group but you won't live in a hotel, there are usually even cheaper alternatives. In Barcelona, there are surprisingly many apartments which are centrally located.

You want to book a simple hotel or something more exclusive for Christmas or New Year's Eve. Barcelona.de offers you all categories of hotels and holiday apartments.

Booking your hotel and flight
Hotel prices are not substantially more expensive than at other seasons, only with flight prices you have to accept some increases, as a result of the pan-European journey home wave of air passengers.
On our flight booking system you can compare over 80 different airlines. Not everyone flies from each airport to Barcelona. The prices from the airlines are stated on Barcelona.de including taxes and booking fee, therefore you have a very high level of transparency.

On Barcelona.de your can reserve your hotel and book your flight to Barcelona.

Events

The English language worship in Barcelona
In Barcelona, there is an English Protestant and Catholic community, each of them will also hold services in the English language.
The International Church of Barcelona is an multi-denominational multi-cultural church and open for all confessions.

The exact dates can be found on their websites.

Restaurants on Christmas, New Year's Eve and New Year’s Day
Many of the restaurants in Barcelona are open at Christmas and New Year. Also, many hotels offer meals on bank holidays. In particular,r hotels of higher categories (4 stars) have opened a restaurant and offer special Christmas menus or New Year's Eve events.
On our restaurant page we have listed establishments by district, by address along with a telephone number. In general English is also spoken.

Events and Attractions
The largest and most beautiful Christmas market in Barcelona is in front of the cathedral and is held from the 1 to 23 December.
Well, most sights are closed at the 25.12. and 1.1. but you can watch from outside. Take your time when looking at the Facade of the Nativity (Christmas decorating) at the Sagrada Familia. You can spend hours there previously and still discover something new. Or you can take a walk up the Montjuïc.
Many hotels offer special New Year programmes for guests. Otherwise, many restaurants offer this as well. Should you not have found anything suitable, why not go down to the Ramblas and look through one of the leaflets which will be handed out?
You certainly will find something in ashort time there and then.

Christmas markets
The largest and most beautiful Christmas market (Fira de Santa Llúcia) in Barcelona in front of the cathedral and is open from 01.12. to 23.12., from 10-22:00.

More Christmas markets in Barcelona:

Market of the Sagrada Familia
Location: In front of the Sagrada Familia
Subway: Sagrada Familia, L2, L5
Open: 1.-23. December, from 10-20:00

Fira de Plaza de Sants
Location: Plaça de Sants
Subway: Plaça de Sants, L1, L5
Open: 1st-23.December., from 10-20:00

Epiphany market
Location: Gran Via between the Carrer Muntaner and Carrer Entança
Open: 26 December - 5th January.

Holiday opening times.

Opening times of shops and sights
On 24th of December most shops are opened quite normally, on 25th of December most museums and other attractions will be closed. On the 26th December, again most museums are open, some with slightly modified opening times. Please refer to the site of the sights if you want to have the opening hours in detail. On New Year’s Day nearly all good places of interest are closed.
NB: On 25.12. and at 1.1., the Barcelona Card is not valid.
On 24th of December, some shops are open only in the morning. Shops will be closed on the 25th of December, 26th of December and 1st of January. If you live in an apartment or holiday flat you should already provide yourself with groceries in advance.
For the rest of the year there will be normal opening hours.

Public transport during the holidays
Subway and buses operate during the holidays, but at different operating times. You will find them displayed at the stations. Find the timetable online at the TMB site. But a taxi can be found at any time, even if it’s crowded.