Barcelona Travel Newsletter

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Issue #29

Christmas in Barcelona 2009

Hola

A chill in the air in Barcelona can mean only one thing - Christmas is coming! There's a feeling of excitement everywhere you go, with ladders up all around town as the Christmas lights go up.

In general I feel that Barcelona doesn't get the reputation that it deserves as a Christmas holiday destination. Perhaps because of the sunshine and the beach people tend to think of the city as a place to head only for their summer holidays. How wrong they are! Barcelona comes alive at Christmas with lights, markets and wonderful local traditions. The weather ensures that there is a Christmas atmosphere, whilst also allowing you to wander around outside without the fear that your toes might drop off!

I have put together a guide to what will be happening in Barcelona for Christmas and New Years 2009. I have also provided links to some pages that we have on the website, giving a more general overview to what happens in Barcelona during the Christmas period. This includes information on: the Christmas lights, the Christmas markets, the nativity scenes, Christmas family activities and important dates during the Christmas period.

Before looking at what will be happening in Barcelona for Christmas this year it is worth taking a look at what the Christmas traditions are for Catalan people. I interviewed a Catalan local who told me all about how her and her family celebrate during the Christmas period: Cultural Christmas Traditions in Barcelona .

Christmas Decorations in Barcelona

This year the Mayor will be turning on the Christmas lights slightly later than usual - on 02 December at 18:10. You will then be able to see lights in all of the major locations around town (see below for the link to the exact locations). Each day the Christmas lights will be switched on from 18:10 - 22:00 (Sunday - Thursday) and 18:10 - 00:00 midnight (Saturdays and Sundays). This year the major theme of the lights will be all things Catalan - traditional Catalan foods and trades.

Also, on the side of the City Hall in Plaza Sant Jaume there will be a large 'Advent Calender' projected onto the wall. Each day a new image will be displayed as a new 'window' is opened. This will be available to see from the date when the Christmas lights are switched on. Plus, hot off the press! This year Barcelona's city council have decided to get creative with the theme of the Christmas lights, with an extra feature being added. If you have read our Guide to Cultural Christmas Traditions in Barcelona you will know all about the traditional broth that is eaten on Christmas Eve. The broth contains a special type of pasta called a 'Galet'. In keeping with the City Council's decision to keep the Christmas decorations Catalan-themed, there will be large 2 metre tall galet shaped lights dotted all around town. The galet shaped Christmas lights can be found in the following locations:

Virreina,
Rambla (monument Colon)
Rambla Raval
Portal de l'Angel
Plaza Pau Vila)
Aragon (market Conception)
Rambla Catalunya / Provence
Rambla Catalunya (Gran Via)
Plaza Goya
Avda. Gaudi - Provence
Parallel / Plaza
Birds
Chelcickeho / The Plaza Marina Santos (market)
Plaza M. Cristina / Avenida Diagonal
Avenida Pedralbes / Bishop Catalan
Kennedy Plaza Dr. Fleming (Round Miter)
Plaza Joanic / Pi Maragall
Plaza Lesseps (mountain side)
Rutlla Plaza (Avenida Mare de Deu de Montserrat)
Pedro Munoz Gardens
Dry / Pg. Vall d'Hebron
Round Top / Via Giulia
Rio Janeiro
Plaza del Congreso (Philip II)
Fernando Reyes Plaza
(Meridiana)
St. Martin
Rambla Poble Nou
Meridiana
Aragon

This year, over the Christmas period, also keep your eyes peeled for the local 'Bicing' bikes. Unfortunately you won't be able to ride these as they are a shared bicycle service that is for Barcelona residents only. But you will be able to enjoy their new Christmas image all over town - 6000 of the bike's mudguards will be decorated with a festive theme for the Christmas period.

For a general guide to Barcelona's Christmas lights and the best places to head to see the following page: Christmas Lights in Barcelona.

Feast of Immaculate Conception - December 8th 2009

To true Catalans the Christmas period begins on the 8th December - a public holiday in Barcelona. It is a great day to be in the city and this year it will fall on a Tuesday , so it's worth looking at flights for around that time. On this day the markets and churches around Barcelona are busy with families enjoying the day off and celebrating the start of the Christmas period.

For an insider's view into what it is like to be in Barcelona for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, plus information on what is on and opening times, see our page on The Feast of the Immaculate Conception.

Christmas Markets in Barcelona

Over Christmas many temporary markets open up all over the city. The most traditional ones offer decorations, locally made goods and figures for the nativity scenes (see below). They offer a great opportunity to find some really personal and different Christmas gifts - whether you are looking for home made chutneys, artisan leather goods or antique jewellery. The largest of these markets takes place in the Cathedral square (Plaza de la Seu) and is called Fira de Santa Lluciá.

The official dates for Barcelona's various Christmas markets have not yet been released by Barcelona City council. However, last year they all generally opened around the 29th November and were open until 23rd December.

For a list of Christmas markets around Barcelona, plus information on what they all have to offer and how to get to them, see our page on Barcelona's Christmas Markets

Christmas Nativity Scenes in Barcelona

In Catalunya the nativity scene is known as the 'pessebre' and it is a very important part of the Catalan Christmas. Not only do families tend to have their own nativity scenes at home, but large ones can be seen all around town.

Barcelona's largest and most well-known nativity scene can be found in the square where the city hall and government buildings are located - Plaza Sant Jaume. Each year the theme of the display changes. The theme for 2009 will be kept thoroughly under wraps until the big opening on 2nd December (to coincide with the turning on of the Christmas lights - see above). This nativity scene is a great place to bring the kids - whatever the style, the figures are always life size and in the past it has been known to include real palm trees and live animals!

For an overview to the different Nativity scenes that can be found around the city, plus information on how to get to them, see the following page. Christmas Nativity Scenes in Barcelona .

Family Activities in Barcelona

Barcelona is a great time to bring the kids to Barcelona. Father Christmas does not play a major role in the Catalan Christmas, but he is replaced by great characters such as Caga Tio the talking log (read the Guide to Cultural Traditions above to find out more) and the three kings. Starting on the Christmas Traditions Day on December 12th and right through the Christmas period there are a whole variety of activities taking place with a Christmas theme throughout Barcelona.

For a guide to some of the most exciting family activities taking place over the Christmas period, Family Activities During the Christmas Period in Barcelona.

New Year's Eve in Barcelona

Barcelona has a great reputation as a party town, making it a great place to head for the New Year's celebrations. I will be sending a further newsletter covering your options for the Christmas period. But, until then you might want to take a look at the page that I have already written about Clubs for New Years Eve.

If you have never been to Barcelona during the Christmas period before you do not know what you're missing. There is something here for everybody during the festive season. Flights to Barcelona are also cheap during this period. It may just be worth a visit.

Finding Your Barcelona Accommodation

If you haven't arranged your accommodation in Barcelona yet make sure to read our articles on finding and booking your Barcelona accommodation.

Holiday apartments in Barcelona

Guide to Holiday apartment rental in Barcelona

Barcelona Hotel Map

Find out exactly where all the hotels are located in Barcelona with our Hotel Map. Simply click on themap to read the review of that hotel - the easy way to find your Barcelona hotel.

Barcelona Hotel Map